Port Douglas makes for a perfect get-a-way destination. Port Douglas has emerged as an off-beat tourist destination which still has got that unspoilt virgin beauty about it. Lazy days on sun-kissed Four Mile Beach, never-before trips to the Reef and Rainforest, stylish shopping, exotic cuisine – it can't get any better than this.
The picture-perfect Port Douglas is just 70 km. north of Cairns international airport. Imagine yourself taking this romantic one hour's drive from Cairns via a spectacular coastal road that is surrounded by forest and the Coral Sea. It is the place where emerald green merges into sapphire blue. Tourists make the most of natural beauty and the excellent year round climate of Port Douglas. Its languorous seaside village ambience complements superbly the vibrant atmosphere of the tropical style. Cuddled at the end of a peninsula, the crystal waters of a natural harbor on one side of the village embrace a lovely marina. Along the other side of the peninsula, the brilliant sandy sweep of beautiful Four Mile Beach stretches on.
Soak up the sun on the beach, stroll around the village shops, historic buildings and the seaside Sunday market. Play a game of golf, visit a rainforest wildlife centre, chill out at a boardwalk café or dine on an exotic tropical dinner at one of the many fine restaurants.
Port Douglas is the closest gateway to the Great Barrier Reef, a natural wonder teeming with amazing biodiversity. Colorful coral gardens of every shape and form are home to an exuberant variety of tropical marine life. Go on the reef tour to experience this extraordinary underwater world
Port Douglas can be your convenient base to the World Heritage rainforests. The gorgeous green coastal strip of the Daintree, Cape Tribulation region to the north of Port Douglas, nourishes some of the oldest forests in the world and is a treasure trove of rare plant and animal species.History of Port Douglas
We bet that Port Douglas is already on your mind. But, before you step into this beautiful land, take a quick look into the fascinating history of Port Douglas so that when you visit this land, you can rely on your knowledge and our information.
In 1876, explorer James Mulligan discovered goldfields on the Hodgkinson River in central Far North Queensland. Adventurers soon explored a small protected port which seemed ideal for shipping goods and materials. After a series of names like Island Point, Terrigal, Port Owen and Salisbury, the port was finally named Port Douglas.
People started taking it seriously after the great gold rush and soon the population grew to 12000. Industries were established booming on tin, silver, sugarcane and logging for cedar trees. The dray teams and stage coaches that served the goldfields, made their way from the Port, down the beach to the ‘Four Mile' mark which is now called Craiglee and continued over ‘The Bump' onto the goldfields. Several hotels were built to cater to the increasing influx of entrepreneurs, traders and workmen.
The legendary gold rush ebbed away bringing in a ominous phase in the history of Port Douglas. After the completion of the Cairns-Mareeba railway in 1893, this once-flourishing town started to loose its attraction. The bad patch continued till 1911 when a cyclone wrecked havoc on the town. The industry reduced to the status of a mere fishing village and a gateway to ship sugar from the Mossman Central Mill until 1958. By 1960 this once booming town ended up with a population of about 100 people.
But, things changed soon. The early 1980's ushered in a new era for Port Douglas. This little town, lost into oblivion, rose from its ashes to become Australia's hot new destination to spend the winter months. Visiting the Daintree Rainforest and the Great Barrier Reef soon caught the fancy of the footloose travelers.
Today the town boasts a population of around 4000 and its booming tourist industry brings visitors from across the world. If you find the history interesting enough, then visit the land to know more and explore better. Here's an open invitation for you.Port Douglas Popular Destinations
A perfect holiday site, Port Douglas in Australia can offer you exotic locales in virgin rain forest, silvery-beaches hemmed with palm-fringed woods, reefs, natural harbors and lush greenery. Located just 70 km. north of Cairns international airport, Port Douglas in Australia can be reach in just one hour’s drive from Cairns through a coastal road bordered by forest and the Coral Sea on the two sides. Port Douglas Popular Destinations will tempt you with their virgin beauty and wild colors of green and blue and tropical climate.
Port Douglas Popular Destinations range from the beaches, shops, historic buildings, Great Barrier Reef, coral gardens, reef tour to even cruises. However, to name a few- Port Douglas Popular Destinations stand for ---
Some Port Douglas Popular Destinations
Low Isles in Port Douglas is a tropical island located north-east of Port Douglas. There are hundreds of species of hard corals including 15 species of soft corals hosting fish, molluscs, sea cucumbers and other animals. This Port Douglas Popular Destination allows you to go for snorkeling, scuba diving, exploration of the beach with an expert marine biologist and the coral gardens from a glass bottom boat.
Four Mile Beach in Port Douglas is another Popular Destinations in Port Douglas located 5 minutes away from the heart of the city. There are beaches, palm fringed coastline, and numerous crabs on the beaches. You are advised to swim inside the barricaded region of the beach during summer to be safely away from the marine stingers.
Welcome to the oldest rainforest region of the world. This is Daintree Rain Forest in Port Douglas, located north of Cairns in Queensland of Australia. A wide-ranging variety of flora and fauna, whether under a schedule, on the verge of extinction, or endangered species, you will find almost all of them in Daintree Rain Forest.
More Information on Port Douglas Popular Destinations
Four Mile Beach in Port Douglas
Port Douglas Harbor
Sightseeing in Port Douglas
Port Douglas has plenty to offer when it comes to sightseeing. It is one of Far North Queensland’s tourism capitals. The Great Barrier Reef, the sandy golden beaches and the rainforest of Daintree and Cape Tribulation -- Port Douglas has it all. It is a popular tourist spot, a holiday extravaganza which is the hot new destination on the global tourist map. Natural beauty is the USP of Port Douglas and what makes it all the more irresistible is the perfect weather all year round. In spite of being a popular tourist attraction, the town has still retained its laid-back lifestyle.
The route to Port Douglas is bewitchingly beautiful. The drive highlights the Rex Lookout, Oak Beach and Mowbray Valley with its welcoming B and Bs and artist’s gallery. Port Douglas lies on an isthmus beside the sparkling waters of Dickinson Inlet and the rolling waves of the Coral Sea. The Flagstaff Hill stands there overlooking the ‘port’. This is the best place to have a glimpse of the town and its fabulous Four Mile Beach.
Visit the Saint Mary's by the Sea which is popular as a venue for weddings where couples from all over the world come to take the holy vow on that special day. The huge glass altar window offers breathtaking views of the Coral Sea and rainforest clad mountains. Set against the picturesque backdrop of the crystal blue waters of Dickson's Inlet and with stunning views to the Mossman Ranges, Marina Mirage is a hip modern complex which offers a great shopping experience and an ultimate indulgence in fun.
Hartley's Crocodile Adventures is a must in your sightseeing trip. Take a boat ride on the lagoon which is home to 23 crocodiles. It's a unique tour of 25 minutes where visitors board specially constructed boats to explore the natural habitat of the Australian Saltwater Crocodile and watch the tour guides feed the crocodiles from poles.
For more information on Sightseeing in Port Douglas:
St. Mary's By the Sea in Port DouglasMarina Mirage in Port Douglas
Flag Staff Hill Lookout in Port Douglas
Wavelength Reef Charters in Port Douglas
Batt Reef in Port Douglas
Rex Lookout, Port Douglas
Hartley's Crocodile Adventures in Port Douglas
Oak Beach in Port Douglas
Mowbray Valley in Port Douglas
Agincourt Reef in Port Douglas
Dicksons Inlet in Port Douglas
Port Douglas Marina
Mossman Gorge in Port Douglas
Cape Tribulation in Port Douglas
Port Douglas Festivals & Events
Port Douglas Festivals and Events can be excellent occasions to visit this land of myriad wonders. Port Douglas hosts lots of colorful and fascinating events and festivals -- from grand Carnivale, theatre, festivals to regional cultural occasions – people here know how to celebrate.
Come May and the entire Port Douglas is all geared up for the Village Carnivale, the largest annual event in Port Douglas. You can have a glimpse into the vibrant life and culture in the tropics. All the cities around the region come alive with events, special exhibitions, competitions, music, food and drink. Village Carnivale means ten days of unlimited fun and frolic.
May has more to it than the Village Carnivale. If you want to sample some fresh seafood, you must visit Port Douglas during the Seafood Festival. This festival is about seafood booths and interesting exhibits highlighting the seafood and fishing industries. Local shops and restaurants bring you the best of exotic seafood while live music and entertainment create the carnival mood.
If you are a true epicurean by heart, then Marina Mirage Longest Lunch can be your perfect occasion to visit Port Douglas. On a particular Friday each May, local restaurants from around the town come together to host this lunch extravaganza. You have the whole three-and-a-half hours to gorge on the tastiest foods from the variety of restaurants. And, it seems that no festival is complete without music and entertainment. Live entertainment and special events throughout the day paint the town in the merriest of moods.
Christmas Markets are also excellent events to have the best of local culture in Port Douglas. These Main Street market fairs are held on Sundays in December. This a wonderful place to pick up some real good stuff, gifts and souvenirs. Take back home some keepsakes along with the sweet memories. There are also locally grown produce and fresh fruits for purchase. Be the early bird to catch the best item and learn the skills of bargaining.
For more information on Port Douglas Festivals and Events:
Port Douglas Village Carnivale
Reef and Rainforest Carnival in Port Douglas
The Seafood Festival - Harvest of the Coral Sea in Port Douglas
Port Douglas Film Festival
Port Douglas Golf Challenge
Port Douglas Yacht Club Fishing Competition
Yungaburra Folk Festival in Port Douglas
Getting There
This small but scenic town in Australia, Port Douglas is inhabited by warm and generous people. Port Douglas started thriving upon the mining industry and the timber cutting industry in the neighboring areas. The population may add up to a handful of people but the small town gets to see a large number of tourists during their tourism season. For the large chunk of foreign tourists making a beeline to explore the natural beauty of the town, Getting to Port Douglas is easy.
One can very conveniently get to Port Douglas from different parts of the country or from outside the country, as the choices are ample. For getting to port Douglas one can avail the Air, Train, Road and Boat services.
Getting to Port Douglas by Air
Situated just 80 kms north of Cairns, for Flying into Port Douglas one has to take a flight to Cairns and then avail a transport from there. Daily flights from destinations like Sydney, Brisbane, Townsville, Melbourne, and Hamilton Island are provided by Qantas Airlines. The Virgin Blue ai
Hotels in Port Douglas
