5 reasons Port Douglas is the holiday destination you’ve been craving

Given that not everywhere in Australia has the luxury of being fringed by coral, it’s easy to forget that the Great Barrier Reef is one of the seven wonders of the natural world – and it’s in our own backyard! Though it’s a spot coveted by thousands of people each year, you can take advantage of the closed borders and have a great chunk of it to yourself and your family by sailing, snorkelling or diving along the rainbow reef. The waters boast a wildly complex and beautiful ecosystem, meaning you, your family and your friends will be in awe of the lush coral, vibrant colours and diverse schools of fish. Enjoy the trip resting assured that each tour we advertise operates in a way that protects the supreme natural beauty below.

If you’re a thrill seeker who’s been missing the hype of an activity-filled holiday, look no further than Experience Oz for a truckload of inspiration to get your blood pumping in Port Douglas. The wild rainforest and dreamy blue waters serve as the perfect playground to act on your thirst for adventure. Soak up the sublime landscape from very, very high up – maybe in a plane, or a hot air balloon? Try your luck on the rapids in a white water raft, or travel less than an hour to plunge towards Cairns wrapped into a bungy rope – the only place in Australia where you can bungy jump! True adrenaline junkies can even opt to jump as many times as they want in a day. If you’re a daring animal lover, you’ll love gaping at (and getting educated about) the saltwater crocs. With Hartley's Crocodile Adventures, you can tour Hartley’s lagoon, meet its toothy inhabitants and learn a thing or two along the way.

Due to its laidback lifestyle, easy access to nature and deliciously warm weather, Port Douglas is the perfect place to recharge – earning it an affectionate reputation as the more mature counterpart to the vivacious melting pot that is Cairns. Kick back for days at a time amongst the coconuts on Four Mile Beach, take a leisurely sailing cruise around the Low Isles and enjoy satisfying, slow-paced meals with the emerald Daintree Rainforest as your backdrop. Bite into a zesty tropical fruit at any time of the day and spend your evenings meandering through the happening night markets.

Port Douglas is the perfect base from which to get swept up in the magic of Cape Tribulation, the remote headland at the top of Australia where one of the world’s oldest surviving tropical rainforests meets the sea. Hike through a patch of untouched nature – keeping your eye out for a giant blue cassowary – and end your day with a dip in Mossman Gorge, where crystal clear water cascades over massive granite boulders cloaked in dense green.

Take the time to go on a Dreamtime Tour with a local Indigenous elder, too, and learn about the rich culture and history of the Kuku Yalanji people – who have called this place home for 50,000 years. While trekking through the humid air, be careful to watch for the bird-eating spiders that keep the ecosystems of the fauna ticking along smoothly, and enjoy breathing in the tropics.

Port Douglas is a short drive or boat ride from many other North Queensland favourites – the Daintree Rainforest, Kuranda, Cairns, Fitzroy Island, Green Island and Cape Tribulation. Its central location to so many other must-visit locations makes it the ideal place to calmly plant your feet for a while and embark on a number of day-trips from, with none of the hustle-and-bustle of a city or busy town!

Start planning your visit to Port Douglas here, with our range of curated experiences certain to make your holiday extraordinary. Port Douglas is calling your name with experiences to suit every traveller.