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Port Douglas is one among our favorite coastal cities in Australia as a result of it’s packed filled with issues to do!

We simply find it irresistible in Far North Queensland – it’s tropical residing at its greatest and there are a great deal of issues to do in Port Douglas with youngsters.

We favor it as a base to discover the encompassing area over Cairns as we expect Port Douglas has a extra charming city.

Just a bit approach offshore you have got the world’s largest reef system – the Nice Barrier Reef – after which hugging the shoreline is the oldest rainforest on this planet, the 140 million-year-old Daintree Rainforest.

Most individuals use Port Douglas as a gateway to the Daintree, however we urge you to spend a bit extra time within the city.

“Port” is hip, it’s taking place, it’s chilled out, but in addition somewhat upmarket and an important place to vacation as a household with a pleasant steadiness of leisure and journey.

On this information, we share all the highest issues to do in Port Douglas with youngsters and counsel some locations to eat and locations to remain!

Issues To Do In Port Douglas With Children

Under are among the hottest Port Douglas points of interest that we loved with our household. We hope you discover one thing to do from this record!

1. Drive The Cairns to Port Douglas Scenic Drive

Simply attending to Cairns from Port Douglas is a tremendous Port Douglas attraction.

Port Douglas is simply an hour’s drive north of Cairns, and after leaping off our flight we picked up our rental automobile to drive the newly named and spectacular Nice Barrier Reef Drive with the Coral Sea on one facet and the forest on the opposite.

The Nice Barrier Reef Drive is a windy street however provides loads of alternatives to drag over and admire the quite a few seashores and beautiful views.

First cease was Ellis Seaside for breakfast.

The Ellis Seaside Bar & Grill sits proper throughout from the seashore (5 minutes North of Palm Cove) and provides a cool and informal vibe serving up good meals and occasional – we advocate the Brekky Burger (bacon, egg, roast tomato, avocado, rocket & hollandaise).

With full tummies and our espresso repair executed, a delicate stroll alongside picturesque Ellis Seaside was so as.

Slightly additional alongside the Cairns to Port Douglas drive, we stopped off at somewhat cove stuffed with hand constructed rock towers – apparently they’re known as cairns!

Look out for them on the right-hand facet and perhaps your youngsters will take pleasure in constructing their very own tower.

Earlier than no time we arrived in Port Douglas, QLD to spend a number of days exploring the native space, to take pleasure in sundown views, palm timber and to eat nice meals.

That’s the one approach to do it in Queensland.

2. Go to the Nice Barrier Reef and snorkel or dive

Port Douglas is a good base for getting out and exploring the magic of the Nice Barrier Reef, one of many world’s pure wonders.

Consisting of 900 islands and a couple of,900 particular person reefs, it’s the world’s largest coral reef and the biggest residing construction on the planet.

If that is your first time visiting the Reef, think about occurring a day journey to the Outer Reef as a result of that’s the place the most effective snorkelling and scuba diving will be had. You would possibly solely go to the Reef as soon as, you’ll want to see it at it’s greatest!

Should you solely have a half day, then you are able to do a 2 hour tour to the Low Isles which departs at 7:50am and returns at 10:00am, so you have got the remainder of the day free.

We selected a tour with Quicksilver Cruises that took us to the famend Agincourt Reef, a jewel-like ribbon reef on the very fringe of the Nice Barrier Reef.

To get to Agincourt Reef from the marina in Port Douglas takes about 80-minutes by high-speed catamaran.

This tour moors at a big pontoon which implies you get off the catamaran and spend your time based mostly on a spacious exercise platform which we discovered most sensible for us with younger youngsters.

The pontoon provides you room to maneuver round with out being confined to a ship, and from the pontoon you may select to snorkel, dive, watch the fish feeding from the underwater viewing platform and underwater observatory, trip within the semi-submersible and even take a helicopter flight over the reef.

It was Savannah’s first time snorkelling, and what’s nice concerning the pontoon is the straightforward entry to the water from the submerged platform.

The steps that lead down from the primary deck to the snorkel platform will let you sit down and put in your masks and fins, making it straightforward to slip into the water.

Plus, Quicksilver have snorkelling security officers (lifeguards) who maintain watch and help you along with your gear and supply tricks to absolutely benefit from the expertise.

We beloved Agincourt Reef. We noticed loads of lovely coral and fish and the children felt secure snorkelling within the designated roped off part subsequent to the pontoon.

Nice Barrier Reef Excursions from Port Douglas

three. Play at 4 Mile Seaside – Port Douglas Seaside

In search of that basic palm fringed tropical seashore to chill out on, or maybe take a stroll or run?

You’ll see locals and guests alike having fun with lovely 4 Mile Seaside in Port Douglas. There are a number of entry factors on the finish of essential road (Macrossan Avenue) or at varied intervals on the different finish – at 4 Mile!

Should you occur to go to in stinger season, close to the surf membership a stinger internet is positioned for individuals who take pleasure in a swim.

And in case you’re an early riser, how a couple of dawn stroll or do what I did and go down for a dawn photograph – it was somewhat overcast while we have been in Port Douglas however nonetheless a web site value crawling off the bed for!

This Port Douglas seashore typically makes many greatest seashores in Australia lists.

four. Expertise Sundown and Dawn at Rex Smeal Park

Rex Smeal Park is the place to be for sundown in Port Douglas for the basic palm tree shot. It’s a preferred place to be with the locals and vacationers to observe the solar go down with a big grass space and a close by playground for the children.

Seize a picnic or only a glass of wine and get amongst the chilled vibe of others taking part in drums, throwing frisbees or kicking again of their chairs.

While hottest at sundown, in case you come down for some early morning mild like Caz did you’ll virtually have the place to your self – and the lighting is gorgeous.

Dawn and sundown is certainly one of many high free issues to do in Port Douglas with youngsters.

5. Recognize the views at Flagstaff Hill Lookout

4 a sweeping view overlooking 4 Mile Seaside, head as much as Flagstaff Hill Lookout. It’s a simple drive from the centre of city or you may stroll up the hill.

Most likely greatest seen at dawn, it was nonetheless somewhat overcast on the morning Caz took a drive there however positively definitely worth the time. Hopefully you may catch this Port Douglas Seaside on a stunning sunny day.

Check out how lovely 4 Mile Seaside appeared when Craig and I visited a few years earlier.

One other superior and free issues to do on a Port Douglas vacation.

6. Store and eat on Macrossan Avenue

Cosmopolitan and vibrant Macrossan Avenue is the primary road in Port Douglas and oozes that tropical vacation vibe and environment.

Lined with cafes, bars, boutiques and classy purchasing, and palm timber, as soon as the day will get going.

It’s a hive of exercise and provides ample alternatives to seize breakfast lunch or dinner, or only a espresso and a chilly drink, or maybe a brand new designer outfit or items to take house.

We loved a chew to eat at a number of spots alongside Macrossan (maintain studying).

7. Absorb the serenity at Port Douglas Marina

The long-lasting Crystalbrook Superyacht Marina in Port Douglas is Queensland’s northernmost marina and one among Australia’s premier nautical locations.

Positioned on Dickson Inlet and flanked by the mountain ranges of the Atherton Tablelands and Daintree Rainforest, it’s positively some of the scenic marinas now we have visited in Australia.

The Marina is endeavor a significant redevelopment and the place you’ll discover al fresco waterfront eating with spectacular views over the Coral Sea, quite a few leisure and purchasing choices, and a spot to take pleasure in a craft brew, espresso or wine proper on the water and watch the Port Douglas life sail on by.

eight. Go Historical at Mossman Gorge, Daintree Rainforest

Only a 20-minute drive from Port Douglas brings you to Mossman Gorge on the southern most finish of the Daintree Rainforest.

Should you don’t have time to go to the UNESCO World Heritage Website, the Daintree Rainforest, north of the Daintree River, we advocate no less than a full day within the lovely Mossman Gorge as an important various.

It’s historical, pristine and filled with excessive vibrational vitality. Mossman Gorge is free to enter, however you do need to buy a go to catch the shuttle bus into the primary strolling space. Or you may stroll the 2km your self.

A boardwalk takes you to the Mossman River and a stupendous swimming space. The river will be harmful after heavy rain, which is why it was advisable we not swim once we visited.

The Mossman River water is alleged to be the second most purest on this planet. (Fraser Island in Southern Queensland additionally claims a title to pure water)

To study extra concerning the gorge, its wildlife habitat and its non secular connection, maybe you’d take pleasure in a Dreamstime stroll with a information from the gorge’s native residents, the Kuku Yalanji individuals.

Well-liked Mossman Gorge Excursions

9. Smile on the Hartley’s Crocodile Adventures

Our children love wildlife experiences and 25 minutes south of Port Douglas is Hartley’s Crocodile Adventures.

Hartley’s is a spot to not solely stand up shut with large crocs (and an important place to get educated about them) however the place you may view and find out about different Australian animals.

They’ve over 2,100 metres of timber boardwalks and pathways that lead you on a journey of discovery by way of woodlands and rainforest the place you may see an array of wildlife.

We jumped on Hartley’s Mammal Magic tour the place one of many Mammal Keepers took us on a behind the scenes interactive tour that allowed us to feed and maintain a few of our most beautiful and cute Australian mammals.

How cute are these younger alligators we obtained to feed?!

For extra cuteness overload, Kalyra obtained private with a squirrel glider and little refus betong, to not point out everybody’s favorite, the koalas.

Oh, and the not so cute 15kg Burmese python

You may match this in in your drive from Cairns to Port Douglas or from Port Douglas to Cairns!

10. Try the Port Douglas Sunday Markets

The Port Douglas Markets happen each Sunday from eight:00am till 1:30pm at Market Park, adjoining Anzac Park.

The market is a vigorous place, with reside music, contemporary meals being cooked in entrance of you, and jovial stall holders at all times eager to speak to you and inform you about their merchandise, it’s the place to be on a weekend.

You may choose up distinctive gadgets, corresponding to arts and crafts, in addition to contemporary produce and artisan merchandise. It’s value testing to really feel the excitement of this neighborhood!

11. Go Whale and Dolphin Watching (Seasonal)

The most effective time to see whales is July till September, which is when the humpback whale is migrating north to hotter pastures.

One of the simplest ways to see them is on a ship tour from Port Douglas.

Eye to Eye Marine Encounters is the unique tour operator that does seasonal whale watching excursions. They’ve strict moral pointers to make sure you don’t disturb these light giants of their pure habitat, and have additionally researched the whales and know the place they are going to be swimming.

In reality, they even declare to recognise the identical whales every season!

Video: Watch our journey to Port Douglas & Daintree with youngsters