Destination guides > Australia > Queensland > Around Cairns > Port Douglas
Port Douglas
About an hour’s drive north from Cairns is the quiet town of Port Douglas. Although its foundations are as a resort destination, there are some brilliant budget accommodation options as well. Its location is perfect for access to the reef and the rainforest and it sits next to the beautiful Four Mile Beach, which makes it a good alternative to Cairns if you are looking for something a little more laid-back. Port Douglas town is a short string of shops and restaurants with plenty of alfresco cafés and juice bars. It is quaint and inviting, albeit pricier than Cairns. Tour operators abound here and you have quicker access to the Low Isles of the Great Barrier Reef, Cape Tribulation and the Daintree Rainforest. It is a very popular place to take a dive course, and there are several reputable companies offering four-day PADI certifications.
Practical information
Port Douglas Tourist Information Centre
23 Macrossan Street, Port Douglas
Tel (07) 4099 5599
Website www.tourismportdouglas.com.au
Coming & going
Coral Reef Coaches (tel (07) 4098 2600) operate buses that run between Port Douglas and Cairns, Cairns Airport, Cape Tribulation, Cooktown and Mossman. Buses depart from the end of Dixie Street.
Hostel accommodation
Dougie’s Backpackers
111 Davidson Street, Port Douglas
Tel (07) 4099 6047
Parrotfish Lodge
37-39 Warner Street, Port Douglas
Tel (07) 4099 5011 or 1800 995 011
Port O Call Lodge
7 Craven Close, Port Douglas
Tel (07) 4099 5422 or 1800 892 800
Sightseeing, museums & tourist attractions
Port Douglas Court House Museum
This small museum in Port Douglas’s old courthouse has exhibits on local history.
Wharf Street, Port Douglas
Tel (07) 4099 4635
Website www.douglas-shire-historical-society.org/court_house_museum.htm
Admission $2
Open Tue, Thu & Sat-Sun 10am-3pm
Rainforest Habitat
Rainforest Habitat is an enclosed animal park in a rainforest setting, featuring 1600 animals and 180 different species.
Corner Port Douglas Road & Captain Cook Highway, Port Douglas
Tel (07) 4099 3235
Website www.rainforesthabitat.com.au
Admission $29
Open 8am-5.30pm daily (last entry 4.30pm)
Activities
DIVE COURSES
You can learn to dive in Port Douglas, but it is more expensive than Cairns.
Tech Dive Acadamy
1/18 Macrossan Street, Port Douglas
Tel (07) 4099 6880
Website www.tech-dive-academy.com
Open water dive course $750
REEF TRIPS
Several companies run trips to the outer Barrier Reef from Port Douglas, including:
Quicksilver Dive
Marina Mirage, Port Douglas
Tel (07) 4099 5050
Website www.silverseries.com.au
Snorkelling day trip $157; introductory dive trip $219; certified dive trip $209-244
Wavelength
2/38 Wharf Street, Port Douglas
Tel (07) 4099 5031
Website www.wavelength-reef.com.au
Snorkelling day trip $180
