Embark on a novel escape to Port Douglas, the place pure wonders, luxe stays, and delectable eating await.
Sydney, Perth, Adelaide… Australia is full of unforgettable journey locations. Means up north in tropical Queensland, there’s a cool little city known as Port Douglas that lures travellers and celebrities from all around the globe. Famend because the gateway to 2 Unesco World Heritage Websites (the Nice Barrier Reef and the Daintree Rainforest), it’s residence to lush rainforests, pristine seashores, vibrant marine life (crocs included), boutique buying, a thriving cafe tradition, and loads of wellness choices.
This charming, laid-back coastal city additionally provides a really distinctive and immersive escape from metropolis life and an opportunity to discover the world’s largest coral reef system and oldest dwelling rainforest. Take your choose, it’s all right here in Port Douglas – simply dive in!
Port Douglas information: The place to remain
1. Silky Oaks Lodge
Situated within the pristine coronary heart of the Daintree Rainforest, this personal eco-luxe haven immerses visitors within the lush fantastic thing about nature whereas offering top-notch facilities. There’s loads to do right here, like dipping into the solar-heated pool, kayaking alongside the Mossman River, zenning out with therapeutic water spa remedies, strolling across the kitchen gardens, and discovering the wealthy biodiversity with guided rainforest walks and eco-programs.
The treehouse-style lodging, set excessive within the treetops, provide breathtaking views and an unforgettable sense of tranquillity. Every villa options rainforest-inspired decor and personal balconies to soak within the sights and sounds of the rainforest. Out of doors bathtub, anybody? Eating on the Treehouse Restaurant is a culinary and visible delight, with a deal with locally-sourced and sustainable components. Sustainability additionally takes centre stage on the Superior Ecotourism-certified lodge, with a powerful dedication to preserving the rainforest and its biodiversity.
Silky Oaks Lodge 423 Finlayvale Street, Mossman, QLD 4873
2. Sheraton Grand Mirage Resort
Sheraton Grand Mirage Resort is an iconic keep that gives a unbelievable beachfront location and an intensive lagoon-style pool. Friends can select from 295 harmonious rooms together with lodge visitor rooms, suites, thoughtfully designed villas and plenty of eating choices. There’s additionally an on-site spa, bicycles for rent and a golf course close by.
Sheraton Grand Mirage Resort, 168-190 Port Douglas Street, QLD 4877
3. Pullman Port Douglas Sea Temple Resort and Spa
Take pleasure in five-star lodging at spacious, trendy and well-appointed rooms and residences, in addition to a surprising pool space that’s good for toddlers by to adults. There’s an on-site restaurant serving buffet-styled breakfasts and you’ll’t go incorrect with Aluco Restaurant and Bar, which serves recent, seasonal trendy Australian fare all through the day.
Pullman Port Douglas Sea Temple Resort and Spa, Mitre St, Port Douglas, QLD 4877
4. Thala Seashore Nature Reserve
Thala Seashore Nature Reserve is ready on a personal headland between Cairns and Port Douglas and provides bungalow-style lodging amidst the rainforest and views of the Coral Sea. Don’t miss out on eating amongst the treetops in Osprey’s Restaurant for a novel expertise.
Thala Seashore Nature Reserve, 5078 Captain Cook dinner Freeway, Oak Seashore, QLD 4877
5. ReNewell Vacation Home
There are countless Airbnb selections for each funds and magnificence, however Government Retreats’ ReNewell Vacation Home in Newell Seashore is a standout tropical paradise. Situated inside a 30-minute drive north of Port Douglas, this beautiful lodging guarantees an unforgettable escape that seamlessly marries luxurious and pure magnificence.
The extravagant four-bedroom beachfront residence boasts views of the Coral Sea. Designed by an award-winning architect, this luxe residence was created to maximise and seize the pure mild and sea breezes. With two kitchens together with one poolside with a fuel BBQ, Renewell gained’t disappoint for a tranquil and secluded tropical journey.
ReNewell Vacation Home, Newell Seashore, Port Douglas, QLD 4877
Port Douglas information: Finest eating places
6. Salsa Bar & Grill
Salsa is an iconic open-air setting restaurant – you’ll have to guide effectively prematurely to bag a desk on this vibrant tropical gem. The beloved eatery, situated within the coronary heart of Port Douglas (reverse the extraordinarily photogenic heritage-listed St Mary’s by the Sea Church), provides a pleasant fusion of flavours. From recent seafood to mouthwatering Australian delicacies, each dish is a masterpiece and captures the essence of Port Douglas’ appeal.
Salsa Bar & Grill, 26 Wharf Road, Port Douglas, QLD 4877
7. Wrasse & Roe
Wrasse & Roe is a hidden treasure for seafood lovers in search of culinary excellence on this tropical paradise. The menu is curated with domestically sourced components and brings within the freshest seafood from the reef, fantastically ready and introduced with pleasant service in a stunning tropical alfresco setting.
Wrasse & Roe, 9/11/56-64 Macrossan Road, Coconut Grove Constructing, QLD 4877
8. Nautilus Restaurant
For a magical eating expertise, you’ll be able to’t go previous Nautilus Restaurant the place artistry meets top-notch seafood delicacies. Tucked away within the open air, it is a eating oasis that gives an unforgettable tasting expertise. Wealthy with native flavours, this dream location creates the right atmosphere for a romantic dinner or special day.
Nautilus Restaurant, 14 Macrossan Road, QLD 4877
9. Hemingways Brewery
Hemingways Brewery is a must-visit for these in search of craft beer and vibrant waterfront views, with industrial-chic design attractive locals and vacationers. Providing a various choice of beers, from hoppy IPAs to refreshing lagers, it’s a beer lover’s paradise. The meals menu is equally spectacular, with dishes constructed from domestically sourced components. Whether or not you’re sipping a chilly brew, having fun with dwell music, or savouring a meal with a view, Hemingway’s Brewery is the final word laid-back vacation spot.
Hemingways Brewery, 44 Wharf Road, QLD 4877
10. NuNu Restaurant
Our high tip: take a day journey and take a look at this restaurant in Palm Cove for laid-back absolute beachfront eating. There’s one thing for everybody on the menu, which options domestically sourced components and fuses tropical flavours. Each dish is a masterpiece, each in presentation and style. In the meantime, the beautiful ocean views create the right backdrop for a memorable meal.
NuNu Restaurant, 1 Veivers Street, Palm Cove, QLD 4879
Port Douglas information: Enjoyable issues to do
11. Strive native excursions
There’s nothing higher than immersing your self within the Unesco-protected Daintree rainforest and studying about its mysteries. One of the simplest ways to overcome that is to take a full-day Walkabout Adventures Tour with a neighborhood First Nation information. You’ll be collected out of your lodging with different visitors and brought on a grand journey by nature’s trails to study concerning the wonderful relationships that the indigenous Kuku Yalanji have with their land.
Uncover the historical past, tradition and traditions of the Aboriginal individuals when you stroll by the rainforest and coastal habitats. You’ll find out about (and eat) native fruits and medicines that may deal with on a regular basis illnesses. You’ll additionally drive to show-stopping lookouts and revel in unimaginable island views (we see you, Cape Tribulation). Look out for the elusive and endangered Cassowary hen in your travels!
One other solution to expertise the Daintree and Mossman Gorge is with a Dreamtime Mossman Gorge Tour. Performed by the Indigenous individuals, it begins with a smoking ceremony to cleanse and push back unhealthy juju. There are 5 excursions each day that take guests alongside personal, mild tracks, visiting particular locations which can be culturally vital to the First Nations locals. Youngsters will love this tour as they’ll have the possibility to get pleasure from conventional bush tea and damper on the finish.
12. Cruise, dive and snorkel
Guide a tour to expertise the immense and Unesco-protected Nice Barrier Reef. Quicksilver Cruises provides a variety of choices. Even non-swimmers can go to the reef in submersibles just like the underwater observatory and the submarine. However for a really genuine native expertise, take the Dreamtime Dive and Snorkel tour the place you’ll hear tales of conventional homeowners who’ve handed down tales from over tens of hundreds of years.
Tip: for extra enjoyable, take a Mossman river drift snorkelling tour mendacity atop river sledges (sure you learn proper), with Backcountry Bliss. Float, paddle, snorkel, swim, stroll and discover all through this unimaginable historical rainforest with a neighborhood information. The environment took about 180 million years to reach the place they’re at this time, so don’t hesitate to guide your front-row seats.
Learn how to get there: You possibly can take each day direct flights from Singapore to Cairns by way of SilkAir and Singapore Airways in six hours and 40 minutes. From Cairns Airport, take a switch or prepare automotive rent to Port Douglas, which is a one-hour drive north alongside a surprising highway that hugs a crystalline shoreline.
Bookmark this information to your subsequent go to to the seaside city and tropical playground!