Destination – Port Douglas

Port Douglas is perfectly positioned to easily experience the Great Barrier Reef, with multiple tours departing daily. Snorkel straight off the beach at nearby coral cay Low Isles; sail to the Outer Reef and spend the day immersed in an underwater world; or take in its vastness from above in a helicopter.

It’s just as easy to explore the primordial beauty of the world’s oldest surviving tropical rainforest, the Daintree. Take a self-drive or guided tour through its pristine, tangled wilderness, stopping at Cape Tribulation to witness where Reef and rainforest share a rare embrace.

Shorter on time? Mossman Gorge, only 20 minutes away from Port Douglas, provides a spectacular taster of the region’s tropical flora and fauna. A serene dip in its silky waters, or a guided walk with the traditional owners of the Gorge, the Kuku Yalanji, will leave you with a deep sense of connection to this ancient land.

It’s not all about the past, either. This region is not only steeped in history, but is focused on preserving its future, becoming the very first in the world to achieve Ecotourism Australia’s ECO Destination certification.

But that’s not where the special charm of Port Douglas stops. Days are spent discovering one-of-a-kind boutiques, markets and galleries along Macrossan Street, or splashing in the warm, calm waters of Four Mile Beach. Balmy evenings are shared dining alfresco, with ultra-fresh seafood, awarded restaurants and impressive cocktails everywhere you look.

It’s another world, but with everything you need.

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