The town is the closest port on the Queensland coast to the Great Barrier Reef and is the centre from which over 100 tours originate daily. Likewise, the World Heritage Listed Daintree Rainforest is less than a 1 hour's drive north of Port Douglas.
 

Port Douglas, situated only 60km north of Cairns International Airport.

There are a diverse range of adventures and activities on offer to satisfy all tastes and ages. For more details, see our Tours page, plus information about What's On and Dining Out in Port Douglas, below.

With the opening of the Cairns to Mareeba railway in 1893, which bypassed Port Douglas, the town's population and prosperity dwindled. To make matters worse, the cyclone of 1911 devastated the township, and the majority of the population shifted to the Mossman area.

By 1958 only about 100 residents remained after the closure of the town's sugar shipping terminal -- rendering Port Douglas a ghost of its former self.

Nearly 30 years later, however, Port Douglas began to to flourish again as the hub of the region's tourist industry.

Today, Port Douglas prospers as the stepping stone to two of Australia's most famous natural attributes -- the Great Barrier Reef and the World Heritage Daintree and Cape Tribulation National Parks.

And since the township itself offers a village atmosphere, set on a narrow peninsula between the rainforest-clad mountains and the sparkling Coral Sea, it is no wonder that Port Douglas has become such a favoured destination.

Come soon to the Archipelago and spoil yourself in Port Douglas, offering a comfortable year-round climate with an average minimum temperature of 20.5 degrees Celsius, an array of specialised shopping and dining experiences, and beautiful coconut-fringed beaches. Our rates make it all so affordable...

Cotters Market by the Sea. Port Douglas' local market day which brings together our local community of free traders, artists and farmers alike. Held every Sunday at Anzac Park from early in the morning until early-afternoon, Cotters Market is a ritual meeting place for locals and a must for anyone on the hunt for either a bargain or something very special.

Village Carnivale. Every year at the end of May, Port Douglas turns on the best it has to offer -- a festival to celebrate and experience the delights of the region. The Village Carnivale weekend begins on a Friday evening with a grand parade of floats, street theatre and exotic foods in Macrossan Street -- the town's centre. Saturday begins early with Four Mile Beach activities such as sand-sculpting, beach races, Ironman competitions and offshore yacht racing, while on Saturday Night local restauranteurs come together at the Food and Wine Festival. On Sunday, the action shifts to the Marina, which hosts the Seafood Extravaganza. The activities don't end until Sunday night with a concert under the stars.

Music and Entertainment. All year round, local establishments in Port Douglas provide entertainment to cater for all tastes -- whether it be solo musicians, live bands, activities such as Cane Toad Racing, local plays put on by the Clink Theatre, Yacht Club twilight sailing on Wednesdays, theme parties, wine bars and nightclubs... Check with Archipelago Studio Apartments to find out what's on while you're are in town.

You can enjoy Mediterranean, Seafood, traditional Australian, Italian, Greek, Thai, Japanese, Chinese, and International cuisines. Australian premium wines are also available at most restaurants for you to indulge in.

The best news about dining out in Port Douglas is that there are many restaurants to choose from, and that the town's culinary reputation and expertise is so high. Archipelago Studio Apartments can help you with advise on the best restaurants to suit your budget and tastes.