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If you’ve been to Far North Queensland before, you’ll know that Port Douglas is a true diamond among Australia’s many magnificent landscapes.
But this much-loved holiday destination offers much more than the palm-fringed beaches and fish and chips of the main township. Look beyond the activities on Four Mile Beach, restaurants on Macrossan Street and beachside snorkelling to find new experiences that unveil the real magic of this uniquely located destination – which sits between the Great Barrier Reef and the ancient Daintree Rainforest.
Things to do on the water
1. Take a sunset cruise with drinks and canapes
One of Port Douglas’ most popular sunset spots is Rex Smeal Park where picturesque palm trees frame stunning hues of amber and gold. This is certainly a must-see spot, but it’s nothing compared to a more intimate vantage point if you’re keen to escape the crowds. Our hot tip for your Port Douglas sunset experience is a 90-minute voyage on the Coral Sea.
Get to the Sailaway check-in office with enough time to admire the magnificent yachts berthed in the harbour before boarding a luxurious catamaran. Enjoy a drink of choice when you arrive and then find the perfect spot for sunset viewing, whether it’s feeling the refreshing ocean breeze at the boat’s edge or relaxing on the sundeck beds as you glide over the shimmering waters. Sample hot and cold canapes while admiring views of the rainforest-clad Daintree mountain ranges, Low Isles and Mossman River Inlet – perhaps one of the most picturesque ways to end a day in paradise.
2. Enjoy a Daintree River cruise and helicopter flight
Perhaps the best way to appreciate the scale and beauty of the Daintree River is from the sky as well as from the water itself on a World Heritage Highlights tour. During an hour-long cruise, spot salt water crocodiles in their natural habitat, blending into the gallery of greens that make up the surrounding rainforest. However, this may be only the second-most exciting part of your day. The full-day tour also includes a 45-minute helicopter flight over both the reef and rainforest, giving you a unique perspective of these heritage-listed sights. Later, lunch at a local cafe presents the opportunity to debrief an exciting morning and sample some local produce, before a ferry carries you back over the Daintree River.
3. Get your adrenaline pumping on the Mossman River
If you don’t have a full day to spare, the river drifting experience on the Mossman puts you right in amongst the ripples and currents, feeling the water through your wetsuit and some sand between your toes. Naturally, there will be no crocodiles on this fully-guided tour, but the excitement of navigating some friendly river rapids may be just the thrill you seek.
Things to do in the Daintree Rainforest
4. Discover the rainforest by sky and rail
There are multiple ways to discover the Daintree – a walk through its prehistoric wonders being the most obvious. Now’s the time to switch up your view for a higher appreciation of the world’s oldest continuously living rainforest. Soar high over the treetops (a vista usually reserved for winged wildlife) and board a gondola to Kuranda from Skyrail Smithfield Terminal. Peer into the forest’s kaleidoscope of green to experience the sounds and smells like never before, or opt for a glass floor gondola to see the rainforest unfold directly beneath you.
On arrival in Kuranda, browse the local markets before boarding the train for a scenic return journey past waterfalls and verdant greenery.
5. Dreamtime dining under the canopies
If you’ve sampled all the dining spots on Macrossan Street, then why not indulge in a dinner experience that feels straight out of a fairytale? Nestled amid the secluded and mysterious rainforest, Flames of the Forest offers a uniquely intimate dinner experience under a canopy of towering jungle trees.
The Indigenous cultural experience is not one to miss. Set against the backdrop of the candle-lit forest, two Kuku Yalanji brothers share their rich heritage through traditional storytelling, didgeridoo melodies and soulful songs. Once you’re ushered to your seat under the dark canopy, decorated with twinkling lights, a mouth-watering procession of seven dishes is delivered to your table. Each plate is a celebration of tropical produce and native Australian ingredients, from lemon myrtle-infused kangaroo loin and pan-fried reef fish to a traditional pavlova accompanied by seasonal fruits.
6. Take a rainforest roadtrip
The Daintree Rainforest covers approximately 1,200sqkm, roughly the size of Brisbane’s Local Government Area and representing Australia’s single largest block of tropical rainforest. That’s a whole lot of wilderness to discover on a day-trip through this ancient landscape.
If you’re coming from Cairns, the adventure begins as you head north on Captain Cook Highway, passing through Port Douglas en route to the Daintree car ferry. Along the way, this coastal route offers breathtaking views of pristine beaches to the right and rugged rainforest to the left. You may choose to stop at Rex Lookout, Ellis Beach or Wangetti Beach, but note the presence of saltwater crocodiles at many beaches in Far North Queensland means they are largely untouched for good reason, and are best enjoyed looking from afar.
Once you’re across the Daintree River, thanks to a 10-minute ferry with possible crocodile sightings, visit the Daintree Discovery Centre. This world-class facility is your go-to for all things Daintree flora and fauna, with audio guides ready to educate curious tourists as you tread forest floor boardwalks. Visit the 23-metre-high Canopy Tower to get among the rainforest’s tallest trees, or visit the Mount Alexandra Lookout just five minutes’ drive away for unbeatable views across the rainforest and Coral Sea beyond.
After working up an appetite, head further north to Cape Tribulation where several solid bites await for lunch. Consider The Sandbar restaurant for plentiful seafood, or Turtle Rock Cafe for relaxed snacks and great coffee. From here, a freshwater swimming hole called Emmagen Creek lies only 10 minutes north, safer for swimmers away from crocodiles and jellyfish.
Finish your day of driving with a stop in at the Daintree Ice Cream Company where exotic flavours are sure to excite the child within. Passionfruit, starfruit, durian, mango, dragon fruit and many more all adorn the menu. While visiting is an easy choice – found directly on the route back to the ferry and Port Douglas – selecting your favourite flavours is a more difficult endeavour.
Wildlife encounters
7. Get up close and personal with new furry or feathered friends
Start your day with a unique breakfast experience at Wildlife Habitat, where early risers are treated to ‘Breakfast with the Birds’. Enjoy a hearty spread of eggs, tropical antipasti and freshly baked pastries, all while colourful cockatoos, owls and parrots are closeby. After satisfying your appetite, friendly staff will introduce you to animals personally, revealing their personalities as if they were old friends. You’ll also be invited to encounter Australia’s favourite icon, the koala.
8. Brave a crocodile encounter
It’s not just cuddlies that call Wildlife Habitat home. Here you can also encounter saltwater crocodiles with two adrenaline-pumping experiences: a 10-minute immersion in a tank with three gargantuan creatures, separated only by a wall of Perspex, or a feeding session with a hungry 4-5-metre-long croc.
Featured Image: Outer Great Barrier Reef, Queensland. Source: Supplied.
