There is no airport in Port Douglas, the best option is to fly into Cairns International Airport, which is located about an hour`s drive away. Port Douglas is located around 42 miles away from Cairns and can be reached via a spectacular scenic coastal drive along the Great Barrier Reef Drive with forests on one side and beaches on the other. Hiring a car is your best option to enjoy this journey.

If you have not booked a private transfer through us there are a few options at the airport including rental cars, shuttle buses, and taxis.

There are taxis available at the airport, taxi ranks are found in front of every terminal building, follow the signage. Taxis are available 24/7 with call boxes that connect you directly to the Cairns Taxis Booking call center. Taxi fares are based on distance, location and time of travel and there is a $4.40 fee added to any fare leaving the airport.

There are not many options for getting around Port Douglas as far as public transportation goes. The town is small enough to walk around on foot and most places are within walking distance of each other. Most of the restaurants and shops are within walking distance to most major accommodations.

There are some buses in town that will connect visitors with nearby sights and attractions. Trips anywhere in the city cost about $5 and buses run every 15 minutes throughout the day.

Port Douglas Bus offers daily services between Port Douglas and Cairns costing around $39 per adult and $24 for children. A local shuttle bus in town offers regular services between Port Douglas, Mossman, and Cairns.

It is a great idea to rent a car when visiting Port Douglas, even if only for a day trip to Cairns, Daintree Rainforest or Mossman Gorge. Driving will give you the flexibility to get to your destination at your own pace and the freedom to stop at sights along the way. There are rental care companies on Macrossan Street the main road in Port Douglas town and on Warner Street, the prices for a day start around $30.

Taxis are available in Port Douglas with several companies offering services. There are taxi ranks on Macrossan Street. Taxis can also be flagged down on the street or called and ordered over the phone. Flat rates start around $6.20.

Walking around Port Douglas is easy due to its small size and the location of most of the town’s accommodations, restaurants, and shops all found within walking distance. A walk across town to the marina takes about 15 minutes. Walking along the beaches is another way to enjoy the beauty of this town and taking a walk through the Daintree Rainforest is another excellent experience.

Yes riding a bike around town is a great way to explore and visit the sites of Port Douglas. The town is flat and features wide streets making it ideal for cycling around. There is an abundance of bike rental shops found around town, mainly on Macrossan and Warner Streets. There are road bikes, mountain bikes, tandems and even electrical bikes available for hire.

Port Douglas is an incredibly safe place to visit in the world, just like visiting any other city in the world, be sure to keep your street smarts and keep your personal items safe when you are out and about, use caution when walking in remote areas at night.

The main commercial center in town is Macrossan Street where most of the retail options of Port Douglas reside. The Port Village shopping Center features 20 specialty shops with fashion retailers. The Portico Shopping Center is on Macrossan Street featuring local crafts and other products. A Coles Supermarket is located in the Port Village Shopping Center where groceries can be purchased. There are exclusive boutiques dotted along Macrossan Street along with souvenir shops, indigenous art shops, and art galleries. The Port Douglas Sunday Markets are held in Anzac Park from 8 am until 1:30 pm weekly selling all kinds of goods, produce, and souvenirs.

Port Douglas is the gateway to the Great Barrier Reef. The town boast the perfect location for exploring the World Heritage Listed site. The Low Isles, which is a small sandy coral cay perfect for snorkeling is just a 15-minute boat ride from the Port Douglas Pier. Agincourt Reef is one of the best dives sites on the Great Barrier Reef and can be accessed via a day trip from Port Douglas with different tour groups.

Four Mile Beach is the main beach in Port Douglas, the long stretch of golden sands lined by palm trees is the perfect beach escape when visiting the town. The beach here offers loungers for sunbathing, warm waters for swimming and snorkeling and plenty of beach facilities and activities such as volleyball. There is a lookout point above the beach which is a great little hike at the end of a day to watch a magical sunset.

The heart of the town is within walking distance to the famous Four Mile Beach lined by upscale beach clubs, resorts, and villas where the rich and famous live. The marina is filled with luxurious million-dollar yachts and offers visitors a great place to dine, shop and drink along the waterfront. Port Douglas offers a variety of accommodations for every traveler's budget, with family-friendly resorts, beachfront luxury and holiday apartments. The area is the gateway for tours out to explore the Great Barrier Reef by boat and discover the fascinating sights and scenery of the verdant Daintree Rainforest.

Port Douglas is a year-round destination with an average daily temperature of 78.8 degrees. It is the perfect beach destination with average sea temperatures at 74.7 degrees in July and 85.1 in January. The tropical monsoon climate of Port Douglas allows for visitors to lounge and sunbathe on the beaches throughout the year or explore the magical interiors of the Daintree Rainforest. The wettest month of the year is February and the wet season is generally during the summertime with afternoon thunderstorms and downpours occurring daily. The dry season is April through October when things are a lot cooler especially in the evenings, but still nice and warm during the day. June to September is considered High Season in Port Douglas with favorable daily temperatures and great visibility in the waters which make it a great time to visit for diving on the Great Barrier Reef. This time is also whale-watching season.

The Australian dollar (AU$) is the official currency of Australia. Cash can be exchanged at many local banks, hotels and the airport. ATMs are widespread in the city but may be limited in more remote towns and the Outback.

For more detailed information, consult our guide to tipping in Australia by clicking here Australia 

The Port (as it`s known to locals) is a foodie haven where visitors can enjoy five-star meals in elegant restaurants and dine in tropical settings by the beach. Port Douglas is the culinary gem of Queensland filled with plenty of restaurants, cafes, pubs, and bars to dine on tasty food. Many of the dining options in Port Douglas feature outdoor seating year-round, menu items include tropical produce, freshly caught seafood and fish and multicultural flavors. There are plenty of places to enjoy Australian cuisine as well as places with European style dining and Asian influences.

There are an abundance of quintessential pubs found in Port Douglas where visitors can stop in and enjoy a pint along with delicious pub grub, many offer outside seating and some feature beautiful beer gardens.

Some of the locals favorite spot in town include Harrisons`s, Sassi Cucina e Bar, Salsa Bar and Grill with waterfront views, 2 Fish is one of the best venues for seafood in town, Origin Espresso for the best cup of coffee, Cafe Fresq for breakfast served all day and The Courty which is the oldest pub in Port Douglas.

There are many relaxing spots in Port Douglas to enjoy your evenings including beachfront restaurants and bars which provide the perfect spot to sit back and capture a sunset. Waterfront dining options are plenty with tropical cocktails and menu items and many featuring live music and a laid back atmosphere. There are some great lookout points in town including the one above Four Mile Beach which offers spectacular sunset views. Many of the pubs in town are a great place to be in the evening time, they serve up delicious pub food, the pints are flowing and music is playing in a warm friendly atmosphere.

In the case of an emergency (fire, police, and ambulance) dial 000 or 112 if using an international phone.

Hospitals:

New Horizons for Health tel. 61-7-4099-1111

General Hospital tel. 61-7-4084-1200

Port Douglas Medical Center tel. 61-7-4099-5276