Port Douglas

Port Douglas

Boutique reef-and-rainforest town, Four Mile Beach and the most accessible corner of the Daintree.

8 tours
2 caravan parks
8 articles
📷 10 photos
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Tours in Port Douglas

See all 8 tours →
Premium Guided Dive Trip - Outer Great Barrier Reef

Premium Guided Dive Trip - Outer Great Barrier Reef

9 hours
From AUD $715
Quicksilver Dive 4 Day PADI Learn to Dive Course

Quicksilver Dive 4 Day PADI Learn to Dive Course

4 days
From AUD $1310
Port Douglas Tour Hook-A-Barra with Lunch

Port Douglas Tour Hook-A-Barra with Lunch

4 hours
From AUD $155
Port Douglas (Kuku-Yalanji: Jabulkanji) is a coastal town and locality in the Shire of Douglas, Queensland, Australia, approximately 60 km (37 mi) north of Cairns. In the 2021 census, the locality of Port Douglas had a population of 3,650 people. The town is named in honour of a former Premier of Queensland, John Douglas. Port Douglas developed quickly based on the mining industry. Other parts of the area were established with timber cutting in the area surrounding the Daintree River and with settlement starting on lots around the Mossman River by 1880. Previous names for the town included Jabulkanji (in Kuku-Yalandji language), Terrigal, Island Point, Port Owen and Salisbury. The town is situated adjacent to two World Heritage areas, the Great Barrier Reef and the Daintree Rainforest. Port Douglas was No. 3 on Australian Traveller magazine's list of 100 Best Towns in Australia.

Background information about Port Douglas adapted from Wikipedia, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.

Next 7 days at Port Douglas

Live forecast from Open-Meteo. Updated each time the page loads.

Loading forecast…

Best time to visit Port Douglas

Based on 30 years of weather data. Sweet spot: Jul, Aug, Sep — mild temperatures, low rainfall and plenty of sun. Avoid Feb, Mar if you can — typically the wettest or hottest stretch of the year.

Jan
35°
23° low
364mm
Feb
35°
23° low
385mm
Mar
32°
22° low
406mm
Apr
31°
21° low
179mm
May
28°
17° low
82mm
Jun
31°
14° low
54mm
Jul
28°
15° low
40mm
Aug
31°
15° low
26mm
Sep
33°
17° low
28mm
Oct
34°
19° low
54mm
Nov
37°
22° low
75mm
Dec
34°
22° low
185mm
Daytime high (large) · overnight low (small) · monthly rainfall (blue bar). Climate normals: 1991–2020 from Open-Meteo's ERA5 reanalysis.

Beach & ocean conditions at Port Douglas

Typical wave height around 0.9 m over the next two weeks. a wetsuit makes winter swims much more pleasant.

Avg wave height
0.9 m
Sea-surface temperatures from Open-Meteo's ERA5 reanalysis. Wave forecast from the GFS Wave model — check official sources before swimming, paddling or boating.

What else is around Port Douglas

Points of interest within 25 km, pulled from OpenStreetMap. Distances are straight-line; check road access before heading out.

🔭 Lookouts & viewpoints (25)
🏛️ Museums & galleries (2)
Source: OpenStreetMap contributors, ODbL.

Drive times to and from Port Douglas

Real road distance and driving time to other destinations in the state. Click through for fuel estimates, suggested overnight stops, and tours along the way.

To Cairns
68 km · 1h 9m
To Atherton Tablelands
119 km · 1h 44m
To Townsville
411 km · 5h 48m
To Magnetic Island
426 km · 6h 14m
To Airlie Beach
686 km · 9h 23m
To Whitsundays
689 km · 9h 30m
To Mackay
800 km · 10h 49m
To Outback Queensland
1033 km · 13h 55m

Photos from around Port Douglas

NRMA Palm Cove Holiday Park
NRMA Palm Cove Holiday Park
park
BIG4 Port Douglas Glengarry Holiday Park
BIG4 Port Douglas Glengarry Holiday Park
park
Oaks Hotels, Resorts & Suites — Australia & Queensland Guide
Oaks Hotels, Resorts & Suites — Australia & Queensland Guide
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Palm Cove Holiday Accommodation
Palm Cove Holiday Accommodation
article
Palm Cove Beachfront Accommodation
Palm Cove Beachfront Accommodation
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11 Day Island Delight
11 Day Island Delight
article
Palm Cove Holidays
Palm Cove Holidays
article
The Reef Retreat
The Reef Retreat
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North Queensland Specials
North Queensland Specials
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North Queensland Weddings
North Queensland Weddings
article

Frequently asked about Port Douglas

Where is Port Douglas?
Port Douglas is in Far North Queensland, Queensland, Australia. The destination guide above maps the area; the drive-times panel further down lists distances to other Queensland destinations so you can pencil it into a longer itinerary.
When is the best time to visit Port Douglas?
Based on 30 years of climate data, the most comfortable months at Port Douglas are typically July, August, September — milder temperatures, lower rainfall, and longer sunshine hours. February tends to be the trickiest month weather-wise. School holiday weeks (Easter, late June–early July, late September, mid-December–late January) get busy and prices rise, so shoulder season is usually the sweet spot if you're flexible.
What's the weather like in Port Douglas?
Summer daytime highs average around 35°C and winter overnight lows can drop to about 14°C. Annual rainfall sits at roughly 1878 mm spread across the year. The climate panel above breaks every month down — daytime high, overnight low, monthly rain, sunny days — so you can match the trip to the weather you want.
How do I get to Port Douglas?
Most travellers arrive by road. From Cairns it's about 68 km — roughly 1h 9m of driving via the main highway, conditions permitting. The drive-times panel above lists travel time and distance to every other Queensland destination so you can sketch out a road-trip route. Check road conditions in winter if your route crosses high country, and plan for breaks every ~2 hours.
What are the top things to see in Port Douglas?
Well-known spots within day-trip range include Carstens Memorial, Flagstaff Hill, Lookout, The Pinnacle, The Landing. The "What else is around" panel above lists every named point of interest by category — lookouts, peaks, waterfalls, museums, beaches — pulled straight from OpenStreetMap. Click any name for the location, opening hours and directions.
Where can I stay near Port Douglas?
We list 2 caravan and holiday parks in and around Port Douglas above — powered sites, cabins, glamping, and big-rig-friendly options. Pet rules, dump points and shaded sites are noted on each park's page. For hotel-style stays, the Drive Times panel makes it easy to base yourself in a nearby town and day-trip in.
How many days should I spend at Port Douglas?
Most travellers spend 1–2 days at Port Douglas to cover the highlights without rushing. There are 8 bookable tours and experiences, 0 attractions and 5+ named viewpoints/landmarks listed for the area on this page — plenty to fill a weekend, more if you slow down and explore the outer reaches.
Is Port Douglas good for families with kids?
Yes — there are 8 family-friendly attractions, museums and family destinations within easy reach (zoos, aquariums, interactive museums, family-friendly theme parks). The caravan parks section above flags parks with playgrounds, kids' pools and family cabins.
What day trips can I do from Port Douglas?
Within ~2.5 hours' drive: Cairns, Atherton Tablelands. The drive-times panel above lists every nearby destination with road distance and travel time — pick one, drive across in the morning, and you're back for dinner.
Is there public transport at Port Douglas?
Coverage varies — major destinations have train and bus links from the closest capital, but smaller regional towns rely on infrequent coach services. The most reliable way to explore the wider area is a hire car or your own vehicle. If you're using public transport, plan around the timetables and check the night before you travel; rural routes are often once or twice a day.
Is Port Douglas accessible for wheelchair users and reduced mobility?
Major town centres, museums and built-up tourist precincts at Port Douglas are usually accessible; bush walks and lookouts vary widely. The OpenStreetMap data underneath the "What else is around" panel records wheelchair access on individual sites — click through to any place's page for the specific accessibility info. For tours, check the operator's website or call ahead; most reputable operators publish their access details.
How much does a trip to Port Douglas cost?
Budget travellers can do Port Douglas on roughly $120–180 per person per day (caravan park, cooking your own, free walks); mid-range $200–350 (hotel, paid attractions, eating out once a day); higher-end $400+ (boutique stays, tours, fine dining). Fuel is the big variable — Australia's regional driving distances add up. Tours and attractions in the listings above show prices in AUD where the operator publishes them.
Will I have phone signal at Port Douglas?
Most named destinations in Queensland have at least Telstra and Optus coverage in town. Coverage drops off quickly outside built-up areas — particularly in national parks, valleys and along long stretches of highway. If you're heading into remote areas, download offline maps before you leave, tell someone your itinerary, and consider a PLB (personal locator beacon) for serious bush walks.

All tours in Port Douglas

Premium Guided Dive Trip - Outer Great Barrier Reef
Premium Guided Dive Trip - Outer Great Barrier Reef
★ 5.0 · from AUD $715
Quicksilver Dive 4 Day PADI Learn to Dive Course
Quicksilver Dive 4 Day PADI Learn to Dive Course
★ 5.0 · from AUD $1310
Port Douglas Tour Hook-A-Barra with Lunch
Port Douglas Tour Hook-A-Barra with Lunch
★ 5.0 · from AUD $155
Private Cape Tribulation & Mossman Gorge Day Tour
Private Cape Tribulation & Mossman Gorge Day Tour
★ 5.0 · from AUD $1880
Half Day Outer Reef Snorkelling Tour from Port Douglas
Half Day Outer Reef Snorkelling Tour from Port Douglas
★ 5.0 · from AUD $290
Private Transfers Cairns Airport to Port Douglas
Private Transfers Cairns Airport to Port Douglas
★ 5.0 · from AUD $307
Port Douglas Sunset Photography Walking Tour
Port Douglas Sunset Photography Walking Tour
★ 5.0 · from AUD $94
Port Douglas to/from Cairns RETURN TRIP Private Transfer 6 pax
Port Douglas to/from Cairns RETURN TRIP Private Transfer 6 pax
★ 5.0 · from AUD $580

Caravan parks nearby

NRMA Palm Cove Holiday Park
NRMA Palm Cove Holiday Park
Palm Cove · Cairns Regional
★ 4.5
BIG4 Port Douglas Glengarry Holiday Park
BIG4 Port Douglas Glengarry Holiday Park
Port Douglas · Douglas Shire
★ 4.4

Nearby destinations

Palm Cove
Palm Cove
Cairns Northern Beaches
Cairns Northern Beaches
Cairns Northern Beaches
Tropical North
Cape Tribulation
Cape Tribulation
Daintree / Tropical North
Cairns
Cairns
Far North Queensland
Atherton Tablelands
Atherton Tablelands
Far North Queensland
Mission Beach
Mission Beach
Cassowary Coast

Port Douglas travel articles

Oaks Hotels, Resorts & Suites — Australia & Queensland Guide
Oaks Hotels, Resorts & Suites — Australia & Queensland Guide
Oaks Hotels, Resorts & Suites is one of Australia's larger apartment-style hotel operators, with a strong Queensland portfolio spanning the Gold Coast, Cairns, Brisbane, Hervey Bay and Port Douglas.
Palm Cove Holiday Accommodation
Palm Cove Holiday Accommodation
NORTHERN BEACHES ACCOMMODATION LISTINGS » Palm Cove » Trinity & Clifton Beach » Cairns Holiday accommodation in Palm Cove rivals any other Queensland destination in regard to quality and position. Palm Cove is located in the center of the Port Douglas and Cairns region and is only a short drive
Palm Cove Beachfront Accommodation
Palm Cove Beachfront Accommodation
NORTHERN BEACHES ACCOMMODATION LISTINGS » Palm Cove » Trinity & Clifton Beach » Cairns Palm Cove has one of the best beaches in North Queensland and it is lined with fantastic beachfront accommodations. Palm Cove is situated midway between Cairns and Port Douglas and is close enough to share the
11 Day Island Delight
11 Day Island Delight
Take the 11-Day Island Delight in Fraser & Daydream Island, Cairns & the beautiful Queensland coast from Brisbane to Port Douglas on AAT Kings ’ premium Island Delight . INCLUDED HIGHLIGHTS Brisbane orientation tour Opal demonstration Fraser Island 4WD adventure Historic Langmorn Station Koo
Palm Cove Holidays
Palm Cove Holidays
NORTHERN BEACHES ACCOMMODATION LISTINGS » Palm Cove » Trinity & Clifton Beach » Cairns A holiday in Palm Cove in Far north Queensland will provide a glimpse into the attractions and activities of the tropical north of Australia. Palm Cove lies midway between Cairns and Port Douglas and provides
The Reef Retreat
The Reef Retreat
Property Information: 10-14 Harpa Street, Palm Cove The Reef Retreat , is a collection of studios, spa rooms and suites as well as two bedroom apartments. Your Palm Cove Accommodation can be found close to the Palm Cove beachfront and Palm Cove is located midway between Cairns and Port Douglas. The
North Queensland Specials
North Queensland Specials
For enquiries you can use the 'Contact Us' link. North Queensland is a region where there are often holiday specials on offer. The wet season is during the summer months and at this time there are usually lots of specials to choose from. Port Douglas Specials and Palm Cove Specials usually include a
North Queensland Weddings
North Queensland Weddings
A North Queensland wedding will long be remembered as one of the highlights of your life. The region has so much to offer for both the wedding celebrations and for your honeymoon. Right through the region, in places like Mission Beach, Cairns, Palm Cove and Port Douglas, you will find a multitude of