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If you’d rather not spend a fortune on your time in Port Douglas, what can you do that’s cheap or free? In this post, we’ll look at budget options for a trip to Port Douglas, including where to stay, where to eat, and getting around Port Douglas on a small budget.
The famous Anthony Bourdain quote about budget travel and exploration is true. (It’s further down the page.) You should see the world. This post is for budget travellers, young and old. You’re never too old to be a backpacker or budget traveller.
Port Douglas is not a cheap destination it’s one of the most expensive places to stay in the world. At this site, we’ve visited almost 60 countries for ourselves, often on a tight budget. We know this to be true. So we think we can help!
Things To Do in Port Douglas on a Budget
IF YOU’RE TWENTY-PLUS, PHYSICALLY FIT, HUNGRY TO LEARN AND BE BETTER, I URGE YOU TO TRAVEL – AS FAR AND AS WIDELY AS POSSIBLE. SLEEP ON FLOORS IF YOU HAVE TO. FIND OUT HOW OTHER PEOPLE LIVE AND EAT AND COOK. LEARN FROM THEM – WHEREVER YOU GO. – ANTHONY BOURDAIN
What is there to see and do in Port Douglas on a budget? Well, you can enjoy the vibe, swim at the beach and revel in sunrises over the Coral Sea. There are walks and hikes, places to explore and wildlife to encounter. But a lot of these things to do in Port Douglas take cash, transport is expensive, and lodging is expensive.
Let’s see if we can help you make it cheaper.
Eating on a Budget in Port Douglas
Self-catering will save you a lot of money. Food is expensive, restaurants are even more expensive. There is a Cole’s supermarket at Port Village Shopping Centre. It will have most things you need. The IGA tends to be a bit more expensive than Coles, we think.
You may be able to find cheaper, locally grown, fruit and veg at the Mossman Markets on Saturday mornings, but you will need a car.
If you’re buying alcoholic beverages the Four Mile bottle shop is usually the cheapest of the off-licenses.
Where To Stay in Port Douglas On A Budget
Port Douglas has a few “Backpackers”. A hostel or similar budget accommodation is often called a “Backpackers” in Australia. But to be honest, these aren’t cheap!
Hostels in Port Douglas include:
- Dougies Backpackers’ Resort (which has been sold and is due to close in a couple of years)
- Port Douglas Backpackers (well located, near Macrossan)
- Global Backpackers (above Rattle and Hum on Macrossan St.)
The cost of staying in a hostel in Port Douglas, about $60 Au per night for 2, that’s around $40 US, 36 EUR or 30 GBP. Check prices for yourself, this is just to give you an idea.
There is a new Backpackers about to open in Mossman, we think this will be cheaper as Mossman is generally a lot cheaper than Port Douglas, being half an hour or so away. We’ll keep you posted.
I’d encourage ultra-budget travellers to look into Couch Surfing, Home Swaps, and services where the traveller can exchange work for board. You will, of course, need a working visa for this.
There are campsites (Dougies Backpacker Resort has camping – we’ve stayed there) and some budget travellers go the illegal route of camping on the beach or parking a camper van just anywhere in Port Douglas. This is not allowed!
If you have a bit more cash to spare, consider the following budget hotels in Port Douglas.
Budget Hotel in Port Douglas
There really aren’t many cheap hotel or apartment rentals in Port Douglas and anything at the cheaper end of the market will be very low frills. You get what you pay for. We have another post dedicated to the cheaper hotels (and the cheaper resorts) in Port Douglas, click through for that!
Kuranda on a Budget From Port Douglas
The expensive way to visit Kuranda from Port Douglas is to take the Skyrail Cablecar up the mountain and the scenic train back down. If you’d like to go to Kuranda and not spend hundreds of dollars on these attractions there is a bus! Book the bus trip direct and check availability here! (the booking calendar and price details will appear for you on this page.)
Budget Options For Seeing The Reef
A day snorkelling on The Great Barrier Reef (Outer Reef) is very expensive. It’s a long way off shore, about 2 hours. Fuel is expensive and boats are expensive to maintain. It’s a bucket-list experience and you really shouldn’t miss out! We recommend you go with Wavelength (book here). It’s one of the cheapest quality operators, and your underwater photos are usually included for free. You get lunch too!
Half-day snorkelling trips to Low Isles are a little cheaper, but fringing reefs are very different to the OuterReef. Both are great experiences and if you can, do both. This half-day trip with a glass bottom boat tour is only $20-$30 cheaper than a full day on the Outer Reef. Some half day trips are more expensive than a full-day Outer Reef cruise. This seems a touch unfair. I’d choose the Outer Reef, it’s better value. Book Low Isles here, this is the cheapest deal we could find.
