Things To Do in Port Douglas

Things to do in Port Douglas Australia, a list of possible activities for you, in or near Port Douglas. After the list, we’ll give you detailed posts about all of these “things to do” and how to organise them.

- The Great Barrier Reef is the #1 thing to do in Port Douglas. Visit the outer reef for snorkelling or scuba diving, boat-based (Silversonic) or permanent moored pontoon-based (Quicksilver, check it out here). We think the best reef tour you can take from Port Douglas is this one, Wavelength, they are a family-run snorkel-only boat rather than being a big international company and have a strong conservation stance.
- Check out the historic buildings in Port Douglas, including St Mary’s by the Sea, The Sugar Wharf, The Old Court House, and several of the older pubs. The graveyard is also very interesting to explore.
- Snorkel at Low Isles half a day tour with sunset return sail on a beautiful catamaran. Low Isles are just of the coast and have an abundance of soft corals and turtles, plus a sandy beach and “desert island” to explore. Glass Bottom Boat available and snorkel guides. At the end of 2023 the fringing reefs off Low Isles took a battering from Ex tropical storm Jasper. There is some damage, but we think you’ll still have a great day swimming off the sandy beach and exploring this “desert island”. This is a good option with smaller kids and you can make use of glass bottomed boats to see the underwater world.
- Visit the Australian Chocolate Farm, near Port Douglas at Shannonvale.
- Visit Granite Gorge, Coffee Works or Mt Uncle Distillery on the Tablelands.
- There are dairies to check out (with chocolate, cheeses and cakes) at Mungalli Creek (Millaa Milla) and Galo Dairyland, Atherton.
- Enjoy Four Mile Beach. Swim, relax, hire a deck chair or floating toy. Kayaks are sometimes available.
- Book the shuttle to Mossman Gorge (return) to explore the rainforest boardwalks and clear rainforest pools and river in this part of the Daintree Rainforest.
- See the crocodile cruise, talks, and feeding at Hartley’s Crocodile Adventures near Palm Cove(with pick up from Port Douglas).
- See what’s left of the Bally Hooley trains and railway.
- Visit Low Isles the fast way with a sub 3 hours speed boat snorkel trip on Reef Sprinter
- Fishing trips and charters including game fishing and marlin fishing are available from The Crystalbrook Superyacht Marina. Alternatively hire a small boat and fishing tackle and head off up The Inlet.
- Enjoy a seafood lunch cruise on the Shaolin Chinese junk.
- Take a sunset sail on a Chinese junk or a beautiful sailing boat, multiple sunset cruises depart the marina daily, weather allowing.
- Take a wildlife and crocodile spotting river cruise from Port Douglas Marina on The Lady Douglas, or from Daintree Village on the Daintree River aboard Solar Whisper.
- Swim with a crocodile! The rest of the family can pet the kangaroos or enjoy Breakfast With The Birds while you take a dip with a saltie.
- Bungy Jumping and Giant Swing Near Port Douglas, book here.
- The nearest cinema to Port Douglas is at Smithfield, but Port does have a small theatre, and sometimes, in season, we have an outdoor cinema.
- Various festivals and special events, plus sporting events, are held throughout the year. We need to write a post about those!
- Play golf! There’s the Sheraton Golf Course and the Sea Temple Golf Course, or Mossman also has a golf course.
- Learn to scuba dive in the purpose-built dive tank at Quicksilver Dive Port Douglas (just behind Macrossan St.) and take your first PADI open water dive on the Great Barrier Reef.
- Barramundi fishing is available locally. Hook-a-Barra (near Wonga) allows you to fish for farmed barramundi in their pools and also offers gourmet barra tasting on-site. Reserve this experience now! If you’d prefer to fish for wild barra with a charter boat and guide, that’s available from the Daintree River, both in the river and offshore.
- Visit the Wildlife Habitat for “Breakfast With The Birds”, swimming with crocodiles, or just to hand feed kangaroos and pet a koala.
- There is another small wildlife attraction north of Port Douglas at Wonga Beach, or there are several in or near Cairns.
- Visit the Cairns Aquarium if you don’t want to get wet on the reef.
- Book a family or couple photoshoot with Port Douglas as your beautiful backdrop. Special deals are available here currently!
- SUP, kayaking and kitesurfing on Four Mile Beach with Windswell.
- River Drift Snorkelling is available in season.
- Hot Air Ballooning Nearby on The Tablelands
- Skydiving Nearby (In Cairns!)
- Dining at restaurants and hotels, including buffets, or book a half-day food trail.
- Take a day trip to the Daintree Rainforest (Special deals available on this tour here)
- Visit Mossman Gorge and try Dream Time Tours with the Kuku Yalanji
- Swim in numerous freshwater swimming holes
- Swim under a waterfall at Milaa Milaa or Hartley’s Creek Falls. Our waterfalls guide is here.
- Visit Port Douglas Sunday Markets and shop for gifts and souvenirs. Alternatively, catch the Wednesday Market at the marina in high season.
- Walk The Bump Track, Devils Thumb, or Flagstaff Hill Walking Trail. See our post on local hikes.
- Take a day trip to Cairns, The Northern Beaches, Daintree Village or Kuranda (includes cable car ride and scenic train plus pickup from Port Douglas)

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