Waterfalls Near Port Douglas - Port Douglas Australia

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Waterfalls to visit from Port Douglas

The wet season is the best time to see waterfalls near Port Douglas. After heavy rains, the falls can be dramatic. But you can see waterfalls at any time of year. This post tells you about the best, most beautiful waterfalls to see, waterfall tours to book, plus a rundown on waterfalls for swimming near Port Douglas.

The biggest waterfalls near Port Douglas are Barron River Falls (photo below). These falls are closer to Cairns and are part of your Kuranda day trip, this takes you up to the viewing platform on the Skyrail (Rainforest gondola ride) and back down on the scenic train. It’s a full day out and Kuranda is a cute town with markets and wildlife attractions. You can book this waterfall tour here.

But there are loads more waterfalls for you to see from Port Douglas, we’ll list them all here, with photos.

Port Douglas waterfalls — Hartley’s Creek Falls are just south of Port Douglas along the highway. There are popular swimming spots here and a pleasant bush hike. We’ll tell you how to find them!

waterfalls near port douglas baron river — Barron River Falls is the biggest waterfall near Port Douglas. You can see these falls as part of your day trip to Kuanda, by Skyrail and scenic train (click through to book.) This excursion is one of the most popular from Port Douglas.

More Waterfalls Near Port Douglas

waterfalls port douglas — Paronella Park has another beautiful waterfall which you can visit from Port Douglas. Paronella Park’s ruins are well worth a visit in themselves.

In the wet season, you’ll encounter plenty of small waterfalls in the Daintree Rainforest and on the Cape, find these north of the Daintree River. You can self-drive into the Daintree or take a tour. You’re more likely to see waterfalls on a tour because the guides know where they are!

Nothing is softer or more flexible than water, yet nothing can resist it – Lao Tzu

Probably the most famous waterfall near Port Douglas is Millaa Millaa Falls. These are part of the “waterfall circuit” south of Cairns. Millaa Milla Falls are a famous beauty spot where visitors can swim beneath the falls. It’s a pretty spectacular spot and rightly popular. There is a car park and changing rooms at Millaa Millaa.

Paronella Park is Australia’s version of a stately home and is a folly built by a Spaniard, deep in the rainforest. Paronella Park has stunning gardens, old buildings, and a waterfall. This pool used to be used for swimming and the old changing rooms still stand, but nobody swims today for fear of crocodiles.

There are numerous freshwater swimming holes in the Port Douglas area, one you may like to take a look at is the Shannonvale swimming hole.