By Amy Pearson
October 3, 2022
If you’re looking for an awesome vacation in Australia, one of the most popular tourist destinations has long been Port Douglas. But, what’s so great about the place? Is it really all it’s cracked up to be? In this article, we’re going to share some of the best things to do in Port Douglas, including how you can get around the place, and what the locals do for fun. Here’s everything you need to know…
So, what is great about Port Douglas? The fact is, there are many different ways to answer that question. It is arguably one of the finest tourist destinations in all of Australia because you can conveniently tick off two World Heritage Listed Sites off your list in one trip (Daintree Rainforest and the Great Barrier Reef)! But, there’s so much more to it, for example:
These are just a handful of the things that make Port Douglas great. In truth, you could spend months in this awesome location and still never run out of things to see and do and taste and try!
Getting around Port Douglas is easy enough. While the local public transport isn’t excellent (taxis can be relatively expensive), if you are planning plenty of excursions, you’ll typically find that each tour has transport to and from the destination included in the price.
For example, if you book a Daintree Rainforest or Mossman Gorge day trip, you won’t need to find your own way there as the tour guide will include transportation for your convenience.
Another great way to get around Port Douglas while you’re there is to hire a car. This is particularly handy if you want to go off and do some exploration by yourself. In any case, if you don’t plan to venture too far from your hotel other than hitting up the local restaurants, bars, and markets, then you can do most of the trip on foot, save for the occasional guided tour.
As for getting to and from Port Douglas from the Cairns Airport, the easiest and most cost-effective way is to take the Port Douglas Shuttle Bus – which can easily be booked and arranged online in advance of arrival.
And what about the locals? What do they do for fun in Port Douglas? As you can imagine, the novelty for some of the biggest hotspots has likely worn off after a while. As wonderful and awe-inspiring as the Daintree Rainforest and Great Barrier Reef are, it’s not something that you’d want to do every weekend – particularly when they tend to get a lot of tourists.
As such, most of the locals typically to flock the beautiful beaches to surf and unwind. You’ll find plenty of locals chilling out at the Four Mile Beach, or enjoying a BBQ or picnic at the famous Rex Smeal Park.
In addition to that, the locals can be found at the local markets, sailing with the yachties, boozing at the many pubs, and venturing off into the green for some healthy weekend hiking.
That said, you shouldn’t concern yourself with what the locals are doing when Port Douglas has so many must-see excursions! While you’re there, you simply have to visit the biggest hotspots just so that you can tick a few world-heritage sites off that bucket list of yours!
All in all, Port Douglas really does live up to its name! It is a wonderful location that is absolutely well worth a visit. Again, if you wish to tick off some World Heritage sites and set foot in the oldest rainforest in the world, then you simply have to get those flights booked today.
We hope that you’ve found this article inspiring and wish you all the best on your adventures!