The Best Beaches in Port Douglas, Australia

Port Douglas encapsulates tropical Queensland like no other place. A slice of palm-treed heaven, it’s everything you dreamed of when imagining being stranded on a desert island when that work just piles up.
The beachside town rests about 70km north of Cairns, which is around a two-hour flight north of Brisbane, and is nestled between the infamous Great Barrier Reef and Daintree National Park. While the town has a reputation for upscale resort and hotel getaways, there are also stays for every budget.

Destinations Unlocked:
Let our travel expert Stefano help you find your perfect Culture tripCentralAmerica
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.CentralAmerica
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.CentralAmerica
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.SouthAmerica
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.SouthAmerica
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.Europe
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.Europe
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.Europe
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.Asia
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.Asia
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.Asia
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 priceAfrica
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!Africa
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.An important piece of information to take note of when planning a trip to tropical North Queensland is stinger season. From November to May, jellyfish teem in the water, surrounding the mainland and the islands. Irukandji jellyfish can be deadly, so make sure you read up on ways to stay safe if you’re visiting during these months.
Four Mile Beach
Natural Feature

Despite what the name suggests, Four Mile Beach is not in fact four miles long – it was named after a local family with the surname Fourmile. It’s actually only four kilometres long, beginning at Island Point and ending at the rocky mangrove reef of Mowbray River – plenty of space to stretch out despite the beach’s popularity. The beach is flat and easily accessible, and one of the most beautiful places to relax, sunbathe, go for a swim, or try your hand at surfing and even fishing. The beach is constantly patrolled by lifeguards and has stinger enclosures so everyone can enjoy a refreshing dip year-round. Swimming is best at higher tides, as the water is deeper and there’s a shorter walk to the break. The low waves and the winds offer perfect conditions for wind surfing, but if you prefer a more relaxing activity, the northern headland offers the best fishing spots.
Wonga Beach
Natural Feature

If seclusion is more your style, you can’t ignore the 10-kilometre stretch of deserted sand and turquoise waves that is Wonga Beach. Wandering along the beach at low tide is something only music videos are made of. It’s where reef meets rainforest, offering landscape views of Port Douglas, Snapper Island, and the mouth of the Daintee River. Overhanging trees, mangroves, and coconuts spur a tropical vibe that makes it the perfect place to relax with a glass of wine. Be careful when it comes to swimming – locals often spot crocodiles hanging around at certain times of year, so make sure you know if it’s safe to swim before donning your swimsuit!
Palm Cove
Natural Feature

Palm Cove beach is meticulously taken care of by the local community, and therefore arguably the most pristine of all north Queensland’s beaches. Its postcard-perfect qualities mean you can walk around barefoot, choose to ride a bike instead of hire a car, and buy your food fresh and cook them on the barbeques at the beach as the sun goes down. Hire kayaks and paddle directly off the dock or go for a cheeky fish off the long Palm Cove jetty. The promenade lining the beach is traced with centuries old paperbark Melaleuca trees, creating perfect shade to relax with a book. It’s surrounded by world-class restaurants and spas if you’re looking to indulge, but if you’re on a budget, you can’t go past buying produce and seafood from the fresh food market and having a barbeque and a few beers at sunset.
Dickson Inlet
Natural Feature

Not so much a beach as a beautiful bay, Dickson Inlet isn’t famous for swimming – at all. While the clear blue water and the tranquil lapping of tiny waves are alluring, swimming is wholeheartedly advised against. Crocodiles have made the inlet their home, and if you take a boat out from the inlet and have a cruise around, locals reckon there’s a 95% chance of spotting a croc. Numerous river cruisers travelling through the unspoiled labyrinth of mangroves are offered from the inlet, and it’s a great way to spot wildlife such as sea eagles, kingfishers, herons, crabs, mud skippers, waders, and even turtles – and of course, the notorious crocodile. There are beautiful views of the coastline as well as the rainforest and mountains as the cruises pass through the Port Douglas waterfront and through the inlet. It’s an especially beautiful place to watch the sun go down over the beaches.
The Great Barrier Reef
Natural Feature

Okay, also not technically a beach but a range of beaches. Day trips to the Reef are a must-do for every visitor to Port Douglas. One of the seven natural wonders of the world, the Great Barrier Reef is a bucket list item many want to explore through snorkelling to see first-hand the 3000 species of marine life that dwell beneath the turquoise waters. It’s bigger than the Great Wall of China and the only living thing that can be seen from outer space. There’s nothing like putting your head beneath the tranquil waters and seeing for yourself the rainbow that lives beneath – over 400 different types of corals, sponges, molluscs, rays, dolphins, tropical fish, sea turtles and giant clams that are centuries old. It’s everything you ever dreamed of after watching Finding Nemo.
Several boats leave daily from Port Douglas for day snorkelling or diving trips (you must be PADI qualified if you want to dive) and include lunch. It’s worth doing the research and selecting an eco-friendly tour company to travel with – the condition of the reef is deteriorating rapidly and it’s become Queensland’s primary project to keep ecotourism at its highest level.
Looking for places to stay in Port Douglas? Check out our pick of the best hotels to book in Port Douglas, Australia, for every traveller, bookable with Culture Trip.
Volcanic Iceland Epic Trip
meet our Local Insider
Hanna

HOW LONG HAVE YOU BEEN A GUIDE?
2 years.
WHAT DO YOU LOVE ABOUT YOUR JOB?
It's the personal contact, the personal experiences. I love meeting people from all over the world... I really like getting to know everyone and feeling like I'm traveling with a group of friends.
WHAT DESTINATION IS ON YOUR TRAVEL BUCKET-LIST?
I have so many places on my list, but I would really lobe to go to Africa. I consider myself an “adventure girl” and Africa feels like the ULTIMATE adventure!


Every CULTURE TRIP Small-group adventure is led by a Local Insider just like Hanna.


KEEN TO EXPLORE THE WORLD?
Connect with like-minded people on our premium trips curated by local insiders and with care for the world
Since you are here, we would like to share our vision for the future of travel - and the direction Culture Trip is moving in.
Culture Trip launched in 2011 with a simple yet passionate mission: to inspire people to go beyond their boundaries and experience what makes a place, its people and its culture special and meaningful — and this is still in our DNA today. We are proud that, for more than a decade, millions like you have trusted our award-winning recommendations by people who deeply understand what makes certain places and communities so special.
Increasingly we believe the world needs more meaningful, real-life connections between curious travellers keen to explore the world in a more responsible way. That is why we have intensively curated a collection of premium small-group trips as an invitation to meet and connect with new, like-minded people for once-in-a-lifetime experiences in three categories: Culture Trips, Rail Trips and Private Trips. Our Trips are suitable for both solo travelers, couples and friends who want to explore the world together.
Culture Trips are deeply immersive 5 to 16 days itineraries, that combine authentic local experiences, exciting activities and 4-5* accommodation to look forward to at the end of each day. Our Rail Trips are our most planet-friendly itineraries that invite you to take the scenic route, relax whilst getting under the skin of a destination. Our Private Trips are fully tailored itineraries, curated by our Travel Experts specifically for you, your friends or your family.
We know that many of you worry about the environmental impact of travel and are looking for ways of expanding horizons in ways that do minimal harm - and may even bring benefits. We are committed to go as far as possible in curating our trips with care for the planet. That is why all of our trips are flightless in destination, fully carbon offset - and we have ambitious plans to be net zero in the very near future.