Port Douglas walking tour & city guide

The town and Four Mile Beach

Macrossan Street, the main street, is lined with cafés, galleries and restaurants and leads down to the waterfront. The little wooden church of St Mary's by the Sea looks out over the water, and the Crystalbrook Superyacht Marina is the departure point for reef trips. Four Mile Beach, fringed with palms, runs south from town.

Flagstaff Hill lookout, at the top of the town, has the best view along the beach.

Reef and rainforest

Boats leave Port Douglas every morning for the outer Great Barrier Reef and the Low Isles for snorkeling and diving. To the north, Mossman Gorge has clear swimming holes in the rainforest, and the Daintree, beyond the Daintree River ferry, is one of the oldest rainforests on Earth, where it meets the sea at Cape Tribulation.

A classic walk through town

Start at the marina and walk past St Mary's by the Sea and Anzac Park, where a popular market is held on Sundays. Head up Macrossan Street through the town center, then climb the path to the Flagstaff Hill lookout.

Come down to Four Mile Beach and walk along the sand as far as you like, ideally in the early morning or late afternoon. The loop is about 4 kilometers.

Visiting tips

The dry season, from May to October, is the most comfortable time to visit. From about November to May, marine stingers are present, so swim only in the netted area of the beach and wear a stinger suit on the reef. The Captain Cook Highway from Cairns is one of Australia's most beautiful coastal drives.