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Before you go
Your trip to Port Douglas.
Illustrative images. The pictures in this guide are illustrations based on the real place, not photographs, and may differ from it.
Port Douglas – Queensland Destination Cairns and the Great Barrier Reef about 1760 km from Brisbane
How to get there
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Aeroporto de Cairns (CNS) Cairns · 65 km
Approximate distances. Check flights and bus, train or boat schedules before you travel.
From Cairns, about 67 km along the coastal Captain Cook Highway, a little over 1 hour by car, with viewpoints over the sea. There are shuttle buses from the airport and from downtown Cairns.
How many days
Two or three days: one for the reefs or the Low Isles, one for Mossman Gorge and the Daintree rainforest, and half a day for the beach and the village.
When to go
From May to October, in the dry season, the weather is usually more stable for boat trips. From November to April it rains more; at Four Mile Beach swim in the lifeguarded area.
The seasons shown are the most usual ones; nature doesn't always follow the calendar.
Do you need a car?
Not for the village, the beach and the boats, which depart from the marina. A car, or an organized tour, is needed for Mossman, the Daintree River and Cape Tribulation.
Suggested itinerary
An order that works
Built with the places on this page. No rush: it's paced so you have time to see them.
One day in Port Douglas
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Morning
Low Isles
Leave the marina on a half‑day trip to the Low Isles to snorkel the reef and walk to the 1878 lighthouse.
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Afternoon
Mossman Gorge
Continue to the Mossman Gorge visitor centre, take the shuttle bus to the entrance and follow the trail through the rainforest along the river.
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Late afternoon
Four Mile Beach
Return to Port Douglas to walk along Four Mile Beach and climb to the Flagstaff Hill lookout for a high view of the beach.
Check before you go. Opening hours and days change, and places may close for renovations, holidays or events. This itinerary is a suggestion from Cidade Turismo, not a commitment: plan yours by checking directly with each place you intend to visit.
Before you go
Frequently asked questions
How long is it from Cairns to Port Douglas?
A little over 1 hour by car, about 67 km along the coastal road. There are shuttle buses from the airport and from downtown Cairns.
Is it better to stay in Port Douglas or in Cairns?
Cairns has more flights, options and nightlife. Port Douglas is smaller and quieter and is closer to the Daintree rainforest and Cape Tribulation. Many travelers split their stay between the two.
Can you reach the Great Barrier Reef from Port Douglas?
Yes. Boats leave the marina for the outer reefs and for the Low Isles, coral islets about 15 km from the coast.
Can you swim at Four Mile Beach?
Yes, in the lifeguarded area. During the tropical jellyfish season, generally November to May, swim inside the protection net and wear a lycra suit.