Itineraries for Your Trip to Port Douglas
2 Days in Port Douglas for First Timers
With two days to spend in the Northern Beaches resort town of Port Douglas, you’ll have time to explore two of Australia’s natural wonders, the rain forest and the Great Barrier Reef. Here are some suggestions for how to plant the ultimate 48 hours in Port Douglas.
Get an early start this morning for an excursion through the tropical rain forests of North Queensland. Climb aboard the Kuranda Scenic Railway for a relaxing journey through mountain passes and deep gorges dotted with cascading waterfalls. The journey takes about an hour and 45 minutes and typically includes refreshments onboard.
Upon arrival in Kuranda, you’ll have several options for spending your afternoon. Take in the aerial views from the Skyrail Rainforest Cableway, take a guided wildlife hike through the Rainforestation Nature Park, or learn about local indigenous cultures at the Tjapukai Aboriginal Cultural Park.
After returning to Port Douglas in the late afternoon, get ready for a romantic evening on the water. Board a catamaran and embark on a sunset sail through the Low Isles and the Coral Sea. Most cruises include a welcome drink and some light bites to hold you over until dinner back onshore.
No trip to Port Douglas would be complete without some snorkeling on the Great Barrier Reef. Board a glass-bottom boat and head offshore for a day of swimming, snorkeling, and sunning on pristine, white-sand beaches. Certified divers might opt for a guided scuba diving trip instead.
Many excursions to the Great Barrier Reef take the better part of a day, but if you’re back from a half-day cruise to the Low Isles, you’ll have time this afternoon to explore the town of Port Douglas. Don’t miss Macrossan Street, the town’s main strip, where you’ll find an assortment of restaurants, cafés, and boutiques.
Wrap up your time in Port Douglas with a magical evening in the world’s oldest rain forest, enjoying a candlelit dinner and Aboriginal live performance. Sample some Australian wines and beers alongside your multicourse meal.
