A guide to three days in Far North Queensland

Its tropical monsoon climate and warm winters make Far North Queensland an ideal, city break destination. Port Douglas provides a good base from which to explore the Great Barrier Reef, Daintree Rainforest and Cape Tribulation. Below is a suggested itinerary for making the most of a long weekend out of the city.

Day one:

Board a morning flight to Cairns, hire a car and drive approximately an hour to Port Douglas. First settled in 1877 after the discovery of gold at Hodgkinson River, it quickly developed, first around the mining industry, then through the cultivation of sugarcane and more recently as a top-class tourist destination. At first glance it may seem the highlights are outside Port Douglas; snorkelling at the Great Barrier Reef, visiting the Daintree Rainforest and exploring Cape Tribulation.

However, you need to also allocate some time for Port Douglas itself. There are some memorable experiences to be had including the hilarious Cane Toad racing at Iron Bar. If you told me people would willingly kiss a Cane Toad, I would not have believed it. Take time to hang out at Markets on Sundays at the Marina with live music, fresh seafood straight off the boats and beers in the sun. For dinner a must is the Seafood platter for 2 at On the Inlet, which is actually more fresh seafood than two people can eat. We stayed at the QT Port Douglas whose modern take on a tropical resort offers good sized rooms, two restaurants and an excellent spa.

Day two:

Breakfast on a freshly made omelettes at Bazaar in QT, before boarding the Quicksilver Cruises fast ferry to the Great Barrier Reef. This will take up the whole day and will be one of your all time travel highlights (see our post on snorkelling the reef here). The boat will get you back into Port Douglas around 5pm giving you enough time for a refreshing drink before driving 45 minutes north to the Daintree where we recommend a night in the trees at the Daintree Eco Lodge.

Day three:

Breakfast early the next day and meet the Cape Tribulation car ferry for a day of remote beauty. Drive up to Cape Tribulation and explore the beach before heading back via various points of interest including the Mangrove Boardwalk, Thornton Beach and tree-top walk in the Daintree Discovery Centre.

Around 3pm, make your way back to Port Douglas for their Sunday Markets at the Marina with live music, fresh seafood and beers by the water before heading back to Cairns airport for your early evening flight home.

Port Douglas QT Port Douglas