When asking our community on Family Travel Guides Australia where we should base ourselves when heading to Tropical North Queensland almost everyone recommended Port Douglas, citing is as brimming with things to do with kids as well as a plethora of accommodation options. In fact, we found a bounty of things to do in Port Douglas with kids which made us quite reluctant to leave and a promise to return as soon as possible.
It can be confusing working out where to base yourself in Tropical North Queensland, especially when you are unsure which activities you want to enjoy with the kids. We hope that our coverage of the places we visited in Port Douglas with kids help you to formulate your itinerary.
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Why Port Douglas with kids?
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Port Douglas takes you away from the hustle and bustle of tourist buses found in Cairns and provides a resort style feel to your holiday. Choose your hotel well and the kids may never want to leave – and you’ll have time to read that novel you wanted to finally sink your teeth into, although there are plenty of things to do if you want a little excitement in your day too.
Places to Explore
Port Douglas Markets
Image via Port Douglas Tourism
Every Sunday of the year from 8.00 am to 2.00 pm the Port Douglas Markets take place at Market Park. There’s always an eclectic mix of market stalls and lots of things for the kids to see including local bands and interesting foods.
Just over 20 years ago the local Douglas Shire council agreed that the Port Douglas Markets would become a Cotters Market which means that every item sold by a storeholder needs to be made or grown by them rather than procured elsewhere. It ensures that what you buy is authentically from Tropical North Queensland. Pretty fantastic, right?
Exploring Port Douglas Main Street
Macrossan Street is a great place to orientate yourself when visiting Port Douglas. It has a Coles to source food items if you are self-catering (and let’s face it, when travelling with kids it’s often the best way for breakfast!) as well as quite an array of interesting shop fronts and cafes.
Four Mile Beach
Port Douglas is bordered on the east by the stunning Four Mile Beach. The perfect pace to watch the sunrise each morning, this tropical delight features crystal clear water lapping against a beautiful sandy beach for as far as they eye can see.
Flagstaff Hill Lighthouse
If you’re looking for something to get the blood pumping, a climb up to Flagstaff Hill Lighthouse is sure to be a winner. From this landmark you will find the Flagstaff Hill Lookout where both you and the kids will receive a 180-degree view of the Coral Sea, Low Isles and Snapper Island.
Our recommendation is to head up in early morning or late afternoon to skip the crowd and the heat!
Cane Toad Racing
Image: Iron Bar Port Douglas
When it comes to things to do in Port Douglas with kids that is totally unique and a little whacky, the nightly Cane Toad Racing at Iron Bar Port Douglas is an experience none of you will forget it quickly.
Cane Toads are a pest in Australia, spreading across the top end and with reports of them as far south as NSW. They are poisonous if eaten so have knocked about the native carnivores. Iron Bar has found a use for these otherwise feral animals – cane toad racing!
Each night from 8.00 pm (and an earlier show in the School Holidays – contact Iron Bar for times) our suggestion is to arrive a little earlier to secure a spot near the front of the stage. The first round is any one’s luck (your entry ticket gives you a chance in the draw) however the second round draw it open to the highest bidder. Even if you don’t draw a toad on your visit, watching the race unfold is pretty hilarious.
Thala Beach Coconut Plantation
Image via Thala Beach
When thinking of a tropical destination, what imagery do you conjure up? Coconut trees, right? Whilst you were see plenty of them in Tropical North Queensland, learning about them provides a whole different spin on the old coconut tree and Thala Beach Coconut Plantation is the place to head.
With around 700 coconut palms in the Thala Beach Coconut Plantation, it’s not only a great place to uncover the secrets of the coconut, but also a great spot for a photo too. Head to www.thalabeach.com.au for details about the tour.
Wildlife Habitat
If you are looking for an Australian wildlife experience that will bring the kids up and close with a range of Aussie animals, the Wildlife Habitat in Port Douglas is a great place to head. Offering an immersive experience, you’ll find many opportunities for wildlife interaction right here.
Find out more at www.wildlifehabitat.com.au
Wanting a great deal on your tickets? Click over to Klook for their Wildlife Habitat offer to help save you a little $.
Hartley’s Crocodile Adventures
When it comes to the Australian Deadly Animals list, the Saltwater Crocodile features close to the top. Of course, that makes it quite intriguing and visitors to Tropical North Queensland are often keen to spot one. When it comes to travelling to Port Douglas with kids, seeing one in a safe way is probably your preference.
Hartley’s Crocodile Adventures has been operating since Pop and Mabel Evans purchased Charlie the Crocodile back in 1935 on a whim after spotting him up for grabs in the paper. As they learned more about Saltwater crocodiles, the Halfway House morphed into what is now Hartley’s Crocodile Adventures.
At Hartley’s Crocodile Adventures you can get up and close with saltwater crocodiles safely. You can cruise the made-made lagoon and watch them being fed – the kids will love hearing their jaws crash together. It is an experience to remember!
Head to Hartley’s Crocodile Adventures webpage for more details.
Click here to visit Klook and their current Hartley’s Crocodile Adventures deal.
Where to Eat
Port Douglas has quite an array of take-away, cafe and restaurant choices. During school holidays they all become quite busy so we highly suggest booking ahead so you get a table (we missed out a few times) and don’t need to endure hangry children. We have a few favourites:
The Little Larder
Even before we arrived in Port Douglas, The Little Larder was on our list to find after a number of people recommended it as a top place for brekkie or lunch. It lived up to expectation with a menu brimming with options and a focus on whole foods. Some may even say they have the best coffee in town.
Head to the Little Larder facebook page for their latest deals and meals.
The Court House Hotel
A pub dinner wasn’t really on the cards for us, but we didn’t realise the popularity of every cafe and restaurant during the school holidays and couldn’t get a table. When we spotted a group leaving at the Court House Hotel and pounced on the table. It was great.
The Court House Hotel bistro has a fabulous range of options which is certain to ensure even the fussiest kid fills their belly. I really loved the fish tacos, the kids were impressed with the parma, whilst T enjoyed the barra.
You can check out the Court House Hotel menu here.
The Beach Shack
There’s bound to be a night after spending a day exploring the things to do with kids in Port Douglas where you want something really easy, but yummy, for dinner. Enter The Beach Shack.
The Beach Shack has a sandy floor and is the place to find yummy pizza, tapas and more. Add it to your list.
Head to the Beach Shack to find out about their menu.
Where to Stay
Pullman Port Douglas Sea Temple Resort and Spa
I was super excited to discover an amazing accommodation offer on the Accor website for the Pullman Port Douglas Sea Temple Resort and Spa and booked it based on the incredible photos. I had high expectations. The kids had high expectations. But did it live up to the hype we created? In short, yes! The lagoon was perfect and the kids were super reluctant to leave when we headed to Palm Cove for our next stay.
Day Trips from Port Douglas
Cairns with Kids
There are so many things to do in Cairns that it’s a good place to explore if you have a few days up your sleeve or feel a little cabin fever staying in your resort day in day out. Head to our Things to do in Cairns with kids resource to help you plan.
Mossman Gorge
If you’re staying in Port Douglas for a few days and have a day up your sleeve you need to head to Mossman Gorge. It is here that you can track back in time and discover the ancient Daintree and perhaps a little of its Dreaming.
Tickets can be purchased directly through Mossman Gorge Centre. Click for details of their Dreamtime Walk.
The Daintree
It might not be the largest Rainforest on Earth but it is the most ancient, making it a place you can’t sample when visiting Port Douglas.
You will need a car, as visiting the Daintree does require a bit of a drive north to access it. Pack some snacks and water and head off early so you can cross the Daintree River via the ferry early (around $30 return fare) before the line gets long and then take your time winding up to Cape Tribulation. Along the way, make sure to stop at the Daintree Discovery Centre (a perfect family destination choice), Daintree Ice Cream, and Cape Tribulation Fruit Farm. Watch out for Cassowaries along the way, and be croc safe!
When to Visit Port Douglas
Port Douglas is a destination you can enjoy all year round, but for me, I like to stick to the dry season where temperatures hover around the mid-20s and it isn’t so humid.
My favourite time to visit is early October as it is just before stinger season and the humidity is not a point that sees my back break a sweat as soon as I move outside. Having said that, the temperature never really dips below 25 degrees all day long, and even in the wet, it is still warm.
| January | 32° / 26° | 15 days |
| February | 32° / 26° | 16 days |
| March | 31° / 25° | 17 days |
| April | 29° / 24° | 16 days |
| May | 27° / 23° | 12 days |
| June | 26° / 21° | 7 days |
| July | 25° / 21° | 6 days |
| August | 27° / 21° | 6 days |
| September | 29° / 22° | 5 days |
| October | 30° / 23° | 5 days |
| November | 32° / 25° | 7 days |
| December | 32° / 26° | 11 days |
How to Get to Port Douglas
By Air
Cairns boasts an international airport with Australia’s four carriers, Qantas, Virgin, Jetstar and Tiger, all travelling here daily. Prices vary depending on your departure city. Flights can be pricey. We recommend tracking Airline flight deals for bargains. Upon landing, you will need to hire a car, utilise hotel transfers or uber/taxi to Port Douglas which is around 45 minutes north of Cairns.
By Car
Port Douglas is quite far from all Australian state capitals, however, the roads to Port Douglas are well maintained making the trip, whilst long, relatively easy. There are numerous petrol stations along the road from Brisbane to Port Douglas, and you could easily do this trek in a sedan.
By Train
The Spirit of Queensland travels between Brisbane and Cairns 5 times a week providing a unique way to see quite an expanse of Queensland. The total distance is around 1681km and takes 24 hours. I’m keen! Upon arrival, you will need to hire a car, utilise hotel transfers or uber/taxi to Port Douglas which is around 45 minutes north of Cairns.
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