This Tropical North Queensland town is beloved by families for good reason: it’s a haven for kids.
With its abundance of easy breezy apartment-style accommodation, barefoot bohemian vibes and pristine beachfront, Port Douglas is one of those destinations that holds magic for returning families again and again.
With plenty to see and do, there’s something new to discover every time. Here’s our pick of the best things to do with kids in Port Douglas.
1. Come face-to-face with crocs at Hartley’s Crocodile Adventures
As a kid, is there anything cooler than seeing a half-tonne, pre-historic crocodile vault from the water, the almighty snap of its jaws making your own drop in awe? At the legendary Hartley’s Crocodile Adventures (it’s earned this title after being a mainstay of local tourism for more than 20 years), you can get so close to these majestic beasts you’ll be able to count their teeth. There are wildlife enclosures to stroll around, live feeding demonstrations and a lagoon cruise to board: the guides hold court brilliantly, with humour to appeal to kids, plus some subversive quips that will go over their heads, too.
2. Build sandcastles on Four Mile Beach
One of Australia’s best-known beaches, here you’ll find four miles of pristine golden sand and calm, shallow waters perfect for paddling (though remember, never smile at a crocodile: check for warnings before entering the water). Framed by rolling mountains and tall, swaying palms, Four Mile Beach is a postcard come to life, without a high-rise in sight. It’s easy to spend an entire day here, trying out watersports, snorkelling and good old-fashioned sandcastle-building.
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3. Learn about the world’s oldest tropical ecosystem at Daintree Rainforest Discovery Centre
With its 130-million-year history and deeply woven connection to Indigenous culture, a visit to the Daintree Rainforest is a profound experience. While a hike with kids may be out of the question, a visit to the Daintree Discovery Centre is a family friendly option that all ages and abilities can enjoy. Getting there is an adventure in itself, as a short crossing over the Daintree River by car ferry is required to reach it. There’s a variety of boardwalks to explore, each unveiling something new: a bush tucker trail, Jurassic loop with animatronic dinosaurs and a room of reptiles hold the most intrigue for kids, with age-appropriate audio commentary immersing them in the world of the rainforest.
4. Take a picnic to Mossman Gorge
They say the best things in life are free, and the simple pleasure of picnicking on the banks of a swimming hole under the shade of the rainforest canopy must be up there. As beautiful as it is culturally significant, Mossman Gorge is a slice of rainforest serenity where crystal-clear waters cascade around granite boulders and tropical birds trill from the treetops. Self-guided walks around the area take as little as five minutes, which means kids can soak up the views from the platforms and bridges without having to trek (swimming is not recommended due to potential strong currents, so do exercise caution and take note of conditions on the day). Frequent buses depart for the site from Mossman Gorge Cultural Centre, which is well worth a look for its Aboriginal art gallery.
5. Take a Great Barrier Reef day trip
No trip to Port Douglas is complete without discovering the magic of the underwater world around the Great Barrier Reef, with its brightly coloured tropical fish, dolphins and turtles. Day trips depart from Port Douglas or Cape Tribulation, with ways for all ages to encounter the reef in their own way, whether that’s by glass-bottomed boat, snorkelling, scuba-diving or semi-submersible. Make a day of it with Quicksilver and travel out to the Agincourt pontoon, which features family friendly facilities like undercover picnic tables, showers, a buffet restaurant – and even its own postbox.
6. Ride the Skyrail Rainforest Cableway Kuranda Scenic Railway
Want to admire the majesty of the Daintree with none of the steps? Buy a combined ticket for the Skyrail Rainforest Cableway and Kuranda Scenic Railway. Giving a privileged, bird’s-eye view of the Wet Tropics World Heritage Area, kids love the thrill of gliding through the sky in a cable car or aboard a heritage train with Barron Falls thundering beneath them, while taking in the sights and sounds of the world’s oldest continually surviving tropical rainforest. Do one, or do both: the experience is equally spectacular by sky or rail.
Feature image: Hartley's Crocodile Adventures, courtesy of Tourism Tropical North Queensland.
Looking for more inspiration? Check out Everything You Need to Know About Port Douglas.
