Your Bucket List of Things To Do In Port Douglas

This tropical destination has more to its name than just sun and sea; it's a playground for adventure junkies and relaxation seekers alike!

Renowned for its seven stunning beaches, lush rainforests of the Daintree and a slow-living atmosphere, this tropical travel destination offers up a treasure trove of activities. We’re here to make your itinerary planning oh-so-easy, with our guide to the best things to do in Port Douglas.

So make yourself comfortable in your seat and imagine yourself with your toes in the sand and a cocktail in hand. In this tell-all travel guide to the best things to do in Port Douglas, we’ll cover fine dining, fun bars and endless activities to fill your itinerary with. We expect you’ll be booking a plane ticket in no time!

It’s time to let Port Douglas be your canvas for creating lasting memories of a gorgeous coastal getaway like no other.

Sheraton Grand Mirage Resort

Location, location! You'll find the Sheraton Grand Mirage Resort on prime real estate along the famous Four Mile Beach, making it a top choice for those who are craving the salty breeze around the clock. The Sheraton also promises comfort and luxury with a unique twist, with swim-out rooms available with their very own pool access. The swim culture takes precedence at this gorgeous resort, with over two hectares of shimmering lagoon pools, private cabanas, a swim-up bar and sandy beaches. The crowning point of luxury in the hotel has to be the presidential suite, with pool access, an oversized bathtub, a marble bathroom and a tub with jets to enjoy a bottle of bubbles in!

168-190 Port Douglas Road, Port Douglas

Silky Oaks Lodge

Are you someone who loves falling asleep to nature sounds playlists? We have the perfect accommodation for you! Silky Oaks Lodge provides a luxurious rainforest escape, right in the ancient Daintree Rainforest, by the Mossman River.

Recently refreshed with a multi-million dollar revamp in 2022, the Silky Oaks Lodge is an incredible retreat that will restore your soul. You won’t even need to leave your lodgings to experience some of the best of the Daintree, with the incredible in-house Treehouse Restaurant and Healing Waters Spa right at your doorstep.

When you do finally tear yourself away from your comfortable room, you can explore some of the best things to do in Port Douglas, like snorkelling in the Mossman River.

423 Finlayvale Road, Mossman

Thala Beach Nature Reserve

Does a bungalow with all the creature comforts amongst the trees tickle your fancy?  Because the Thala Beach Nature Reserve has just the thing. This luxurious eco retreat has been awarded the highest Ecotourism award for its meaningful and information-packed nature experiences, which are provided complimentary to their guests!

Opt for star-gazing through a telescope at the Milky Way, learning about the surprising properties of coconuts on Australia’s only coconut tour, or join local Kuku Yalanji elders to learn about their Dreamtime stories and connection to Country in this awe-inspiring setting.

5078 Captain Cook Highway, Oak Beach, Port Douglas

Silkari Lagoons

Thought that wallet-friendly luxury was impossible in Port Douglas? We’re here to prove you wrong with the stunning Silkari Lagoons accommodation, a series of sparkling pools and modern hotel rooms that make for the perfect home away from home. Choose from a one or two-bedroom room with its own private plunge pool, or opt for a swim-out apartment boasting access to the lagoon pool from your very own balcony. Four Mile Beach is a short five-minute walk away, or you can hop on a shuttle to the city centre when you’re working through your list of the best things to do in Port Douglas.

2 Langley Road, Port Douglas

Harrisons

Searching for the perfect place to dine? How about Port Douglas’ most nationally awarded restaurant? Owned and operated by a husband and wife team, Harrisons is named for their firstborn son. Originally opened in 2007, Harrisons relocated to the Sheraton Grand Mirage Resort and remains in this luxurious resort today. With thirty years of experience and few Michelin Stars to boot, owner Chef Spencer ensures your culinary escapades at one of the most popular restaurants in Port Douglas are nothing less than top-notch! Harrisons have multiple awards on their shelf and it shows through in their impeccable hospitality and modern British cuisine. Dine al fresco with a view overlooking the resort pool, or keep cool in the air-conditioned dining room.

Level 1 Sheraton Grand Mirage Resort, Port Douglas Road, Port Douglas

Hemingway’s Brewery

Hemingway’s is a hugely popular waterfront brewery, bar and restaurant that calls the Crystalbrook Superyacht Marina home and you’d be remiss to leave it off of your list of restaurants to visit in Port Douglas! If you’ve visited Hemingway's in Cairns, you already know it’s one of the best restaurants in the area! Port Douglas was the first of their family of Brewpubs and offers a perfectly relaxed energy where you can enjoy hand-crafted beers and fresh local produce. Share a pizza, a basket of fries or tuck into a hearty burger on your next visit to Hemingway's.

Crystalbrook Superyacht Marina, 44 Wharf Street, Port Douglas

Osprey’s Restaurant

Dine amongst the treetops at Osprey’s Restaurants, enjoying views over the Coral Sea as you taste the vibrant flavours of Tropical North Queensland’s local produce. There aren’t many restaurants that are able to claim views of not one, but two UNESCO World Heritage sites, namely the Daintree Rainforest and the Great Barrier Reef. In our books, that makes a visit to Osprey’s one of the best things to do in Port Douglas. This must-do restaurant is tucked within the grounds of the eco-friendly Thala Beach Nature Reserve, providing the perfect setting for a romantic date night or friendly dinner with your travel party.

5078 Captain Cook Highway, Oak Beach

Hit The Beach

Port Douglas has seven beaches within its reach (Four Mile Beach, Pebbly Beach, Oak Beach, Pretty Beach, Ellis Beach, Palm Cove and Wonga Beach), but it’s Four Mile Beach which takes centre stage as the long strip of coastline that Port Douglas is known for. Pack a picnic or just the essentials and spend a day dipping in the azure waters of the Coral Sea. You won’t be far from local bars, restaurants and cafes, so you can easily refuel after a day in the sun.

Various locations

Sailaway Sunset Sail

See Port Douglas from a brand new perspective, afloat on the Sailaway catamaran! There are a number of different reef tours you can choose from with Sailaway, but our personal favourite is the Sunset Sail. Departing from the Crystalbrook Superyacht Marina, you’ll be welcomed aboard with a complimentary drink and enjoy hot and cold canapés as you sail along the coast of Port Douglas. Admire the setting sun with a glass of champagne in hand, in wonderful company. The tour takes around an hour and a half, and with those glittering sunset views, we’d have to say it’s one of the best things to do in Port Douglas!

From $83.50 per person

Sailaway Boathouse, 8 Crystalbrook Superyacht Marina, Port Douglas

Quicksilver Cruises

A trip to Port Douglas without visiting the Great Barrier Reef is like a dirty martini without an olive… it’s just not complete. One of the best things to do in Port Douglas (and a must-do, by all accounts) is a full day spent on the water, exploring the awe-inspiring beauty of the Reef and its tropical inhabitants. A tour with Quicksilver Cruises is a great way to make this happen, with their variety of packages and activities on board their wave-piercing catamaran. You’ll cruise at high speeds to Agincourt Reef, a colourful ribbon reed at the edge of Australia’s Continental Shelf. You can choose to snorkel, scuba dive or stay dry from the underwater viewing platform and underwater observatory. No matter which way you see the Reef, you won’t regret it.

From $298 per person

Shop 43/44 Wharf Street, Port Douglas

Ngadiku Dreamtime Walk

Visiting Mossman Gorge is easily one of the best things to do in Port Douglas, because its lush green serenity and sparkling streams must be seen to be believed. And who better to showcase the natural beauty and history of this Heritage-listed forest than the traditional owners, the Kuku Yalanji. Your Dreamtime walking tour begins with a traditional smoking ceremony to welcome you, before embarking on a meandering stroll through lush tropical foliage. Your guide will point out traditional huts, bush food sources and ancient traditions along the way as they impart stories of the Kuku Yalanji culture and traditions. You’ll marvel at the cascading waterfalls and dramatic gorge before sharing a meal of bush tea and damper to re-energise after your adventure.

Sitchu Tip: Ngadiku (Nar-di-gul) means 'stories and legends from a long time ago' in local Kuku Yalanji language.

From $90 per person

212r Mossman Gorge Road, Mossman Gorge

Daintree Tours

Exploring the Daintree is high on the list of the best things to do in Port Douglas and Daintree Tours take it to the next level with their luxury tour day packages. It might be difficult to decide which of the three tours will tick off your bucket list, but don’t blame us if you want to book all three… because we feel the same way! Opt for the Rainforest Tour to explore the Daintree and Mossman Gorge, as well as spot crocodiles and wildlife. Or perhaps get your feet wet with a Calypso Reef Snorkel Tour that gives you the opportunity to snorkel through three outer reef sites. The Daintree Tours team will keep you comfortable with premium transport and meals provided, meaning all the hard work is done for you. All you have to do is enjoy exploring Port Douglas!

Explore the ancient rainforests of the Daintree with a luxury tour with visits into the Daintree National Park, Mossman Gorge and a river cruise exploring the waterways rich in flora and fauna.

From $225 per person

1/11-17 Macrossan Street, Port Douglas

Walkabout Cultural Adventures

The First Nations guides at Walkabout Cultural Adventures hold an abundance of knowledge about the history of their Country and how people interacted with the Daintree over the years. On an all-day tour, you’ll learn about this special environment from a Kuku Yalanji perspective, opening your eyes to an ancient way of seeing the world. Choose from a morning or an afternoon half-day tour, or a full-day Ngana Julymba Dungay (‘we all going Daintree’) tour visiting a number of culturally significant sites and local attractions to really solidify your knowledge of the Daintree and its ancient history and magic. You’ll get to taste bush tucker and learn about the environment, native plant use and even plant medicine, all while you’re experiencing the best of Port Douglas.

From $190 per person

Mossman, Port Douglas

Wildlife Habitat Port Douglas

If you’re a nature lover, one of the best things to do in Port Douglas is visit the Wildlife Habitat. With a conservation-first approach, Wildlife Habitat was first opened to the public in 1989 as a bird and butterfly sanctuary. Since then, the Habitat has expanded its conservation and public education efforts to include animals such as crocodiles, koalas, gliders, possums, tree kangaroos and much more. You can easily spend an entire day here exploring the five different habitats, catered to each animal type, as well as having your very own wildlife experience with ‘Feature Creature’ photos or the Crocarena saltwater croc swims! The Wildlife Habitat is definitely one of the best things to do in the Daintree if you’re keen to learn more about (and meet!) some of the incredible native wildlife of our tropical region.

From $43 per person

Port Douglas Road, Port Douglas QLD

Now that you’ve discovered all the best things to do in Port Douglas, maybe extend your vacay a little further down the coastline, by checking out the best things to do in Cairns. You can also fill up your itinerary with the best restaurants in Port Douglas. 

Don’t forget to stay snap-happy and tag us in your travel adventures @sitchu.brisbane so we can see how you’re staying #sositchu on holiday.