"Tropical Port Douglas" Top 5 Page for this destination Port Douglas by sue_stone

Port Douglas Travel Guide: 227 reviews and 586 photos

Located just one hours drive north of Cairns is my favourite town in the area, Port Douglas. Smaller than Cairns, Port Douglas (PD) has a real community feel about it. Yes, it has 5 star resorts, but doesn't has that 'tacky-tourist' vibe like Cairns has (well, in my opinion anyway!).

Most visitors fly into Cairns and then drive up to PD. The scenery along the way is beautiful - the narrow highway hugs the coast line for part of the journey and the views are stunning. There are a couple of vantage points along the way where you can stop and check out the view.

Port Douglas is on a headland, with the beach on one side and the harbour on the other. It has a lively market each Sunday which sees the whole town come out to shop and socialise. Home to lots of great cafes and modern restaurants, you can also go back to basics and enjoy a meal or a drink on the veranda at the Combined Club and watch the stunning sunsets.

Pros and Cons

In a nutshell:My favourite part of FNQ

Last visit to Port Douglas: Jun 2006
Intro Updated Jun 7, 2007
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Reviews (26)

Cane Toad Racing Local Customs (1)

If you want to experience some local culture then head to the Iron Bar Grill on Macrossan Street for some Cane Toad... more travel advice

Shopping in Port Douglas Shopping (1)

My favourite place to shop in Port Douglas is at the Sunday Market (see 'Things to do' tip). But for the rest of the... more travel advice

Bally Hooley Steam Railway Things to Do (7)

The Bally Hooley is a small steam train that runs for 4km from the Port Douglas Marina Mirage centre up to St.Crispins... more travel advice

Take a trip to the Low Isles Things to Do (7)

Port Douglas is the closest gateway to the Great Barrier Reef, and on our first visit to Port Douglas we took a trip out... more travel advice

Off The Beaten Path (2)
See All Fishing on the Daintree River
Transportation (1)
Getting to Port Douglas
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Travelogues (2)

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Comments (8)

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lynnehamman Feb 17, 2009 at 1:31 AM

Great page on Port Douglas. Will be there again in June- and will certainly use your tips. Thank you. (Those Cane-Toad races ARE hysterically funny)
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SirRichard Feb 10, 2009 at 2:25 AM

Thnks, Sue, seems like the perfect place for a holidays!
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australia2 Jun 27, 2008 at 8:58 AM

Sue, you know the places to visit, eh?! Well done.. ;-).L.
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tini58de Aug 20, 2007 at 10:17 AM

That looks wonderful! And wow, what a special local custom......
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yumyum Jun 24, 2007 at 11:05 AM

You make me want to dig out my Australian slides! I think I have to wait for next winter to do that though :))
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toonsarah Jun 15, 2007 at 12:39 PM

Makes me realise we should have spent much longer here! Great restaurant tips as always and beautiful photos of the inlet and islands.
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angiebabe Jun 15, 2007 at 3:58 AM

Hello and im the second!lovely beach and fish shots but also interesting seeing into the locality - embedded in my mind will always be the stunning view we got of the bay and beach from the top of the hill driving down from Cooktown and Daintree.
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HORSCHECK Jun 11, 2007 at 6:03 AM

Oha, I am the first to comment on this fabulous new page ... (alucas where are you?) .... Brilliant photos ....and congratulation to Alex for the biggest fish. :o)