Holiday houses in Port Douglas

Even without its top-drawer location in the north of Queensland, with the world-famous Great Barrier Reef on one side and Daintree Rainforest on the other, Port Douglas would still have no problem attracting visitors to its alabaster sandy shores. The area’s restricted build height makes it postcard perfect, with almost every beachfront holiday house in Port Douglas hidden under the shade of a souring beach palm, with the flip-flop-ready soft sand stretching out to the aquamarine water beyond. And that’s without mentioning the town’s world-class marina, lush rainforests, and the crystal creeks of Mossman Gorge.

The range of activities in the area reads like a lifelong bucket list, with world-class snorkelling and diving, hot-air ballooning, sunset sailing, rainforest and river tours, and four-wheel-drive safaris all on offer. Few miss out on a visit to the Great Barrier Reef, and there is no shortage of ways to experience this great natural wonder of the world.

With warm temperatures and fairly minimal weather fluctuations, holiday rentals in Port Douglas are popular year-round. The busiest time of year to visit the area is from July to September, when the weather is cooler but still warm enough for those looking to avoid the country’s colder winter temperatures. January to March are the hottest and most humid months, when the higher rainfall makes for perfect diving conditions. Autumn is popular for its events, including a five-day sailing regatta and the town’s biggest event of the year, the Port Douglas Carnivale, when music and dancing fill the streets. October to December can see a tiny bit more rainfall, but the Port Shorts Film Festival in October is a great way to avoid the showers.

Mossman Gorge

Take a bush walk through the rainforest at Mossman Gorge. The Kuku Yalanji are the original inhabitants of the land. Today they offer guided “dreamtime walks” where you can learn more about their local lores and sacred ceremonies. Freshwater swimming holes marked out by distinctive granite boulders make refreshing oases along the way.

Craft markets

Wednesdays and Sundays are great days to explore the town and peruse the weekly craft markets that pop up at the marina on Wednesday afternoons and at Rex Smeal Park on Sundays. Expect to find buskers, entertainers, street-food stalls, massage tents, and a wide range of local arts and crafts, fashion, and jewellery.

Steam Railway

The area’s historic, coal-fired trains offer daily excursions for those looking to immerse themselves in the nostalgic age of steam locomotion. The railway winds its way up the Mowbray Valley from the Crystalbrook Marina in Port Douglas to St. Crispin’s Station, where you can visit the local mangroves and spot resident crocodiles in their natural habitat.