The Best Bars in Port Douglas, Australia

Grab a beer at the iconic Iron Bar, Port Douglas
Grab a beer at the iconic Iron Bar, Port Douglas | © Graeme Churchard / Flickr
Rebecca Mitchell

Looking to sit back with a cold beer or a cocktail in the tropical heat of Queensland? Port Douglas has a number of pubs and bars for all occasions. If you’re on a budget, head to the local pub. Prefer a margarita with a view? Barbados might be for you. Check out our picks for the best bars in Port Douglas.

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CentralAmerica

GORGEOUS GUATEMALA

Gorgeous Guatemala

5 days . Mini
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1. Guatemala

An express adventure for those with limited time off. Prepare yourself incredible experiences. You will hike a volcano, visit mayan temples and witness a ceremony and take in beautiful colonial Antigua.

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CentralAmerica

BEACHY BELIZE

Beachy Belize

5 days . Mini
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2. Belize

A quick trip not too far away for those seeking a relaxing mini break. You will have plenty of free time to relax but also some awesome activities to experience the rainforest and the caribbean sea.
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CentralAmerica

COLONIAL MEXICO

Colonial Mexico

5 days . Mini
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3. Mexico

An exciting mini trip exploring the lesser known colonial towns of central Mexico. This is hte perfect trip for someone with limited time off and still wants to turn on explorer mode and do something different.
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SouthAmerica

ADVENTUROUS ECUADOR

Adventurous Ecuador

8 days . Epic
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1. Ecuador

A remarkable 8 days adventure through the Andes and the Amazon rainforest. The best choice for adventure seekers wishing to visit the 2 most iconic areas of South America, in only 1 week and no flights.

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SouthAmerica

ANCIENT PERU

Ancient Peru

9 days . Epic
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2. Peru

An alternative itinerary to classic Peru, from Cusco to Arequipa. This itinerary is great combination of highlights Cusco and Machu Picchu with the lesser known Arequipa and Colca Canyon.
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Europe

SEDUCTIVE SOUTHERN ITALY

Seductive Southern Italy

10 days . Epic
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1. Italy

The ultimate Italian experience from the vibrant streets of Naples to the breathtaking sceneries of the Amalfi Coast followed by Matera and down to Puglia with its golden beaches, intense flavours and fascinating destinations.

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Europe

EDINBURGH AND THE SCOTTISH HIGHLANDS BY TRAIN

Edinburgh And The Scottish Highlands By Train

7 days . Culture
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2. Scotland

Embark on this great adventure starting from London all the way to Scotland with a true Scottish experience made of breathtaking sceneries, whisky tasting and ..lots of fun! Ideal for train lovers and explorers.
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COMPLETE PORTUGAL BY TRAIN

Complete Portugal By Train

8 days . Culture
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3. Portugal

A wonderful train journey around Portugal, from the romantic city of Porto to the Douro Valley, to the beautiful Aveiro all the way to Lisbon and Sintra. The perfect trip to train, culinary and culture lovers.
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Asia

SOULFUL SOUTH KOREA

Soulful South Korea

10 days . Epic
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1. South Korea

Discover incredible temples, mountains and modern cities on this 10 day adventure. This trip is perfect for those seeking immersion in the cuisine, culture and natural wonders of South Korea.

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THAILAND, CAMBODIA & VIETNAM

Thailand, Cambodia & Vietnam

11 days . Epic
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2. Thailand

From Bankgok to Angkor Wat to Ho Chi Minh City and everything in between - adventure through the heart of South-East Asia. Taste the delights, see history brought to life and unwind on a Mekong River cruise.
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SECRETS OF SRI LANKA BY TRAIN

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10 days . Culture
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3. Sri Lanka

A fantastic adventure that showcases Sri Lanka's fantastic landscapes, wildlife and flavours. With 3 epic rail journeys, 3 UNESCO heritage sites and time to relax, this trip has loads to offer at a great price
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Africa

EPIC MOROCCO

Epic Morocco

11 days . Epic
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1. Morocco

An epic journey across Morocco: from Casablanca to Marrakech, through the blue city of Chefchaouen to the wonders of the desert and deep to the High Atlas Mountains - this trip has it all! Ideal for true explorers!

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ULTIMATE EGYPT

Ultimate Egypt

9 days . Epic
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2. Egypt

From Cairo to Aswan, this trip brings the land of the pharaohs to life. You'll visit the Pyramids, Valley of the Kings and Luxor Temple and cruise down the Nile in style. This is the perfect way to explore Egypt.
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IMMERSIVE KENYA

Immersive Kenya

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3. Kenya

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Jimmy Rum’s Mixing Lounge

Bar, Fusion, $$

Try a rum cocktail in Port Douglas

For a creative cocktail in the evening, head to Jimmy Rum’s on Macrossan Street. The vibe is tiki-meets-cigar lounge – sans cigars, of course. The venue is hidden in The Portico Building, so keep an eye out for a red light. Enjoy a creative cocktail from some of the finest bartenders in the region. Happy hour is from 5 to 7pm every night, where you can get a classic cocktail for around $12. The Jimmy Rum’s ‘manifesto’ explains the establishment’s goal: ‘To serve our valued patrons the most delicious drinks at the most reasonable prices in a world of vibrant tiles, exotic tunes and luxurious seating.’

Barbados

Bar, Australian, $$

© dabelynn / Pixabay

If the name didn’t give it away, this bar is all about rum and Caribbean style. It has a number of signature cocktails, wine and beer to enjoy as you watch the sun set over the Coral Sea. The vibe is reminiscent of a yacht club, both sophisticated and relaxed. Barbados offers a great selection of charcuterie boards and share plates, as well as light meals such as fish tacos or salt and pepper squid. This is definitely a bar to visit during daylight hours to take in the beauty of your surrounds.

Hemingway’s Brewery

Bar, Australian, Pub Grub, $$

You can find a refreshing, local craft beer at Hemingway’s Brewery, Port Douglas

Hemingway’s brewery is the perfect venue for an afternoon drink. Located in the Port Douglas marina, this pub is great for a sunny, social beverage. Craft beer aficionados will relish the opportunity to taste a local Queensland brew in the form of Hemingway’s Pale Ale, Lager, Dark Ale, Pilsner or Small Ale (lower alcohol content). In terms of food, you can get burgers, tacos, pizza, salads and fish, chicken or beef cuts for mains. For entrees or share plates, try the chicken wings or chilli cheese sweet potato wedges. There’s also occasional live music and discounted members deals, as well as a second location in Cairns, alongside the actual Hemingway’s microbrewery.

The Beach Shack

Bar, Australian, Italian, $
On the opposite end of town – literally, at the southern end of the Four Mile Beach – is The Beach Shack. Part bar, part restaurant, the Beach Shack offers fun and friendly casual dining in Port Douglas. While you can get ‘pub grub’ like fish and chips, a steak or chicken parmigiana, most come here for the pizza. The fusion-style pizzas come in flavours like The Mexican (Ground beef, beans, onion, jalapeños, chipotle sour cream and coriander), Casablanca (Slow braised lamb shoulder, onion, lemon, mint yoghurt and Macadamaia nut dukkah) and The Shack Special (Mushroom, prosciutto, goat’s cheese, tomato and basil). Vegetarians will like the roasted pumpkin pizza with pesto, rocket, cherry tomatoes and feta.

The Court House Hotel

Bar, Pub, Australian, Seafood, Pub Grub, $$
As the oldest pub in Port Douglas, this gorgeous refurbished court house is a sight in itself, with remnants of early colonial design like a beautiful wrap-around balcony. The Court House Hotel has a beer garden and rooftop bar, so there’s plenty of space to enjoy. The drinks menu proves the pub is welcoming to families, offering tea, coffee, juices and milkshakes for those not wanting or able to sip something alcoholic. The food menu offers burgers, sandwiches, as well as fresh seafood and a grill menu. You might have a harder time if you’re a vegan or vegetarian, as there are only a few options. The ‘Courty’ also has a sports bar where you can take in a game of NRL or AFL football.

Port Douglas Yacht Club

Bar, Restaurant, Australian, $$

Enjoy a refreshing glass of wine by the sea at the Port Douglas Yacht Club

‘The Yachty’, as it’s known to locals, is a great spot for lunch or dinner. Admire the ocean views over Dickson Inlet while eating a burger or sitting back with a glass of wine or beer. While a lovely spot, the yacht club isn’t known to attract young party-goers, and is better suited to quieter types and families. Having said that, it does host the occasional live music night or full moon party. If you’re travelling on a budget, go to the club on a Wednesday where, in the afternoon, yacht club members offer free sailing trips to members of the public. You must be at least 18 years old to participate.

The Tin Shed

Bar, Gastropub, Pub, Pub Grub, $$
The Tin Shed is a community-style pub, that is perfect for locals and strangers up for a good yarn and a unique insight into Port Douglas history. Also known as The Combined Club, The Tin Shed offers live music, raffles, and the occasional community activity. They have 16 delicious beers and ciders on tap, as well as a further drinks menu, providing ample variety to patrons. In true RSL-club style, members must adhere to a strict dress code that doesn’t include singlets, tank tops, swim-wear or gym-wear. Apparently shorts and thongs are fine.

Iron Bar

Bar, Australian, Pub Grub, $$
The rusty corrugated iron exterior offers a good clue as to what’s inside IronBar. The decor pays homage to the Australian outback. Despite offering a decent family feed, IronBar turns into a party later at night. You might enjoy cane toad racing, followed by a steak, and then a spot of dancing until 3.30 in the morning.

Salsa Bar and Grill

Restaurant, Steakhouse, Australian, Pub Grub, $$
If you want a hearty meal and great service, Salsa Bar and Grill has you covered. For an upmarket version of a steakhouse, the food at Salsa’s is quite experimental. There is even coral trout on the kids’ menu. The lunch and dinner menus are a patchwork of cuisines – from creole Jambalaya to slow roasted duck – but if you’re stuck, you can’t go wrong with a juicy beef fillet or pasta. Even more varied is Salsa’s drinks menu, with a huge range of cocktails and wines from regions across the continent. Salsa’s is also available for wedding receptions.

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