Why Port Douglas is Australia’s Number One Family Playground

Family holidays come with some pretty big expectations. Kids want action and adventure, parents dream of a quiet cocktail under a palm tree, everyone wants a break from the humdrum of school and work.

With its kind climate and Indiana-Jones scenery, Port Douglas is one of few destinations that deliver on all fronts, all year long. This shoulder season favourite is where the coral gardens of the Great Barrier Reef shimmer just offshore, the ancient Daintree Rainforest calls us back to a land before time, and the sunsets are in technicolour.

Here are all the best things to do in Port Douglas for kids and the people that holiday with them.

There’s a reason they didn’t call it The Pretty Good Barrier Reef. This natural wonder is a lifetime experience. As in, 'you’ll remember it for a lifetime' or 'once in a lifetime'. Day trips from Port Douglas will plant you in psychedelic coral gardens, with busy marine life, and the kind of turquoise waters that feel almost too perfect to be real.

Snorkelling on the Great Barrier Reef is obviously the go-to for most families, and kids will have their tiny minds blown at the underwater world of giant clams, turtles, fish of every size and colour and graceful mantarays. Reef tour operators like Quicksilver Cruises cater to families with semi-submersible boats and underwater observatories, perfect for non-swimmers or younger children who still want a chance to marvel at the reef. Don't overpack, you will just need swimwear, towels, a change of clothes, water, and sun screen - everything else should be covered by the tour operator.

Pro Tip: There are plenty of reef tour operators but the trick is to get on a morning run to avoid the hottest part of the day and crowds of backpackers. Always check the weather forecast prior to booking.

Address: Quicksilver Cruises, 44 Wharf Street, Port Douglas 4877

Few places on Earth can rival the gobsmacking magic of the Daintree Rainforest. It’s living, breathing proof of what the world looked like millions of years ago. Explore its depths on boardwalk trails or join guided tours to learn about the Indigenous heritage of the Kuku Yalanji people.

Lush Mossman Gorge, a jewel within the Daintree, has clear, cool waters that make up natural swimming pools. Perfect for a family swim, and the suspension bridge and dramatic hiking trails provide a touch of drama. Even though it's only 15 minutes drive from Port Douglas, it truly feels like a dinosaur could come crashing through the tall palms at any moment. Which makes sense because Daintree is the world's oldest tropical rainforest, with over 180 million years of life.

Pro Tip: Stop by the Mossman Gorge Centre to book a Dreamtime Walk, where knowledgeable guides share stories of the land’s cultural significance.

Address: Mossman Gorge Centre, 212 Mossman Gorge Road, Mossman 4873

The Daintree isn't just easy on the eye; it's a treat for all senses. The constant orchestra of birdsong, air thick with the scent of the tropics, and the food. The glorious, glorious food. While seafood is king by the beach, the official Daintree Food Trail is a gastronomic adventure that winds through 87 kilometers of lush farming land from Port Douglas to Cape Tribulation. Each stop on the Daintree Food Trail is a connection to the land and its stewards.

Start your journey at Cape Trib Farm, where you can sample from over 2,500 exotic fruit trees, including fruits you've likely never clapped eyes on. A short drive away, the Daintree Ice Cream Company crafts artisan ice creams from home-grown organic fruit, the exact thing you’ll need after a long car trip with kids.

For something completely different, Hook-a-Barra is Queensland’s best land-based fishing farm. Your ticket lets you test your skills with catch and release barra fishing, or join the gourmet tour to learn about sustainable barramundi farming and sample from their Daintree Saltwater Barramundi Tasting Board.

Pro Tip: Download the map so you can tick off the different small-scale growers, artisans, producers, and farmers as you go.

Four Mile Beach’s golden sands stretch to the horizon, flanked by swaying palm trees on one side and the glittering Coral Sea on the other. Stay at Peppers Beach Club, just 100 metres from Four Mile, and you'll be able to start your day with a sunrise dip while the kids build sandcastles.

The best thing is that there are plenty of free activities in Port Douglas, it’s not all about the big-ticket adventures. Fly kites at Rex Smeal Park, ogle the superyachts down at Crystalbrook marina, take a picnic up to Flagstaff Hill Lookout, or pick up a map from the Port Douglas Tourist Information Centre for the self guided Heritage Walking Trail.

Every Sunday the nearby Port Douglas Markets at Anzac Park run from 8am until 1.30pm, with plenty of wallet-friendly food and fun for the kids, along with live music, local produce and handmade crafts.

Pro Tip: Four Mile Beach is patrolled and stinger nets are in place during jellyfish season (November to May). As with all Australian beaches, always swim between the flags.

Address: Four Mile Beach, Port Douglas 4877

Sign up for paddle boards or try a hand at kitesurfing on Four Mile Beach, but for something that will make even the most cynical teenager gasp, a helicopter ride over the reef and rainforest with Nautilus Aviation should do the trick. The amazing blues and greens of this unique landscape are surreal from above.

At Hartley’s Crocodile Adventures, just half an hour out of Port Douglas, take a lagoon cruise to see crocodiles up close or enjoy entertaining (and terrifying) feeding shows. Watching those powerful crocs propel their massive bodies up and out of the water to gorge on a chicken carcass you again feel like you’re seeing something very old, very dinosaur.

Or the less death-defying Wildlife Habitat allows for hands-on experiences for the little ones like hand-feeding kangaroos or holding a koala.

A day trip to Cape Tribulation in a four wheel drive bus works across all ages and is a proper journey into the wild. This dramatic collision of ecosystems is the only place in the world where the Daintree Rainforest and the Great Barrier Reef meet.

Of course, this means you’re going to see some pretty out-there flora and fauna. Megabats, spectacled flying foxes, White Lipped Tree Frog, Cape York Melomys, marine stingers, and the electric blue Ulysses butterfly that can span up to 14 centimetres, just to name a humble few. Even the ferry ride across the Daintree River has an element of adventure, with crocodiles lurking in the shallows.

Pro Tip: Plan your trip around the tides to make the most of Cape Tribulation’s beaches and walking trails. Billy Tea Safaris offer family-friendly tours and pick you up from your accommodation.

Address: Daintree Ferry, Cape Tribulation Road, Daintree 4873

Port Douglas really is a place where the beauty of nature does all the talking, whether you’re snorkelling with fish that look like they’ve escaped a Pixar movie or playing spot the croc. When it comes to building core memories with the kids, the town doesn’t just accommodate families, it genuinely embraces them.