Itinerary
By Danielle Reckless
Seeking a family getaway that ticks all the boxes? How about an ancient rainforest that’ll capture your kids’ adventurous spirit, an underwater world that’ll spark their curiosity, and cultural encounters that’ll broaden their minds?
You’ll find it all in Port Douglas and the Daintree. Whether you’ve got tiny tots or teens looking for adventure, use this 7-day itinerary to help plan your trip and you’ll swap screen time for beach time, and fantasy books for landscapes that look like they were dreamed up, too.
A week is the perfect amount of time explore all sides of Port Douglas and the Daintree, while taking it at an easy pace (here’s a three day guide to Port Douglas if you’re planning a shorter escape).
You’ll have your pick of great accommodation to base yourselves at while here, however family favourites are the centrally located Cayman Villas and Reflections of Port Douglas which both offer two and three bedroom fully self-contained apartments. Or check into a villa at 5-star Sheraton Grand Mirage Resort, which sits right on the beachfront.
Once you’ve settled, it’s time to let the sun take the edge off. Wander down to Four Mile Beach to explore the clear, shallow rock pools at the northern end or take a dip in the warm waters. Just be sure to swim between the flags, and inside the stinger net between November and May.
Once you’ve felt your shoulders drop and the sand beneath your toes, walk to Macrossan Street; the main shopping strip. Here you can scope out great places to eat, and grab a scoop from an ice cream parlour (try Capannina’s for a focus on local flavours, such as the soursop sorbet).
With its enormous fig trees and palm-fringed outlook, Rex Smeal Park is a great way to burn off the ice cream and ensure the kids are tired and ready for day two. Stay for a sunset picnic, or make your way to Port Douglas Surf Club, which serves up affordable kids meals alongside beach views.
Photo by @ladydouglasrivercruise
Get your first taste of the region’s wildlife on an idyllic morning river cruise through the mangrove forests around Port Douglas: it’s one of the best things to do with kids here.
The iconic Lady Douglas riverboat glides along the Dickson Inlet on a 90 minute cruise, and on 95 per cent of trips you’ll spot crocodiles lurking below the surface or sunning themselves on the banks. It’s also not unusual to see sea eagles, ospreys, crabs, turtles and the occasional shipwreck.
If little legs need stretching this afternoon, tackle the Flagstaff Hill walking track from Four Mile Beach to Island Point Lookout: the reward is some unbeatable views of the Coral Sea and Low Isles.
Port Douglas’ sunsets are well worth witnessing every evening: head to Hemingway’s, a family-friendly gastro brewpub for stone-fired pizza and local brews, to take it in over glimmering white yachts and forested mountains.
No matter your kids’ age or swimming ability, there’s a family-friendly experience on the Great Barrier Reef for everyone that’ll leave you mesmerised in its beauty. And as Port Douglas is one of the best access points for the reef, you’re spoilt for choice.
Families looking for an action-packed day should head out to Quicksilver Cruises’ Agincourt Reef pontoon. It has snorkelling platforms, introductory scuba lessons for children over 12 years, an underwater observatory and semi-submersibles amongst a thriving reef system teeming with tropical fish. If your kids are really young, or not up for a full day trip, Sailaway’s Low Isles cruise is the perfect intro to the reef with a calm beach to play on. If you’re travelling with teens who are keen snorkelers, Divers Den will take you to multiple reef sites throughout their day cruise – they even have a new scuba program designed for kids.
Or clock up some serious island time and spend a day on Green Island with Big Cat Green Island Tours. You can hire a canoe or stand-up paddle board, or simply explore the white sand beaches, abundant marine life and tropical rainforest at your leisure. But don’t miss Marineland Melanesia where you can see the largest captive crocodile in Australia and even pat a baby crocodile. Cairns is the only departure point for Green Island, but transfers are available between Cairns and Port Douglas.
Kids are often up with the birds, so why not have breakfast with some feathered friends? Ten minutes from Port Douglas is Wildlife Habitat, an immersive eco-accredited wildlife park where you can nibble on freshly baked pastries, cereals and tropical fruits while meeting colourful birds like lorikeets, parrots and curlews. Catch a thrill ‘walking the plank’ over crocodile-filled waters, hand-feed kangaroos and wallabies, and cuddle a koala.
From there, it’s a short trip to Hartley’s Crocodile Adventures, where you can stroll the boardwalks to meet a variety of local wildlife, take a crocodile farm tour (9am and 1pm daily) and settle in for squeals during the crocodile show (11am and 3pm daily).
Back in Port Douglas, pick up something to eat from Mocka’s, a local institution serving crocodile and kangaroo pies.
Photo by @littleonesupnorth
If your child likes fairytales, they just might think they’ve stepped into one today.
Leave the coast for a day trip into one of the Daintree’s most spectacular spots: Mossman Gorge. It’s an area of huge spiritual and cultural value to the Kuku Yalanji people, who have thrived amongst its steep mountain ranges, wild rivers and ancient rainforests for thousands of years.
There are self-guided walks and waterholes to discover if you prefer to head off with just the family (here’s how to do it), but for the best introduction to this sacred place, join a Ngadiku Dreamtime Walk organised by Mossman Gorge Centre. One of Queensland’s best kid-friendly Indigenous experiences, local guides share their exhaustive and fascinating knowledge of this area and Dreamtime stories.
After you’ve grabbed a light lunch at the Centre (the menu features locally-sourced produced and Indigenous ingredients), get ready for an underwater adventure with Back Country Bliss, a river snorkelling tour where you swim through crystal clear waters surrounded by the life of the rainforest. Small children can sit on sturdy, inflatable rafts and float down the river with their parents.
Or, flex those artistic muscles and get hands-on with an Aboriginal painting workshop at Janbal Gallery in Mossman. With classes catering to children and families, there’s opportunity for everyone to get involved and share culture while learning traditional painting techniques. After all, the best souvenir from your holiday will be one you created yourself.
Photo by @aussievanventure
You didn’t think you could experience the world’s oldest surviving rainforest in just one day, did you?
Cross the Daintree River and prepare to be enchanted by the towering rainforest and pristine beaches. Pop in to the Daintree Discovery Centre and come face to face with some ancient mega flora and fauna on a stroll along the walking trails. Cool off at Mason’s Creek (access is through Mason’s café and a gold coin donation is appreciated) and indulge any mini naturalists by visiting the Daintree Entomological Museum.
Feast on the flavours of the rainforest with a stop by the Daintree Ice Cream Company for a scoop (or four) of their prized ice cream, which is made on site using organically grown tropical fruit from their own orchards. Then stretch your legs and wander the boardwalks dotted along the drive to Cape Tribulation (the Marrdja boardwalk is particularly child-friendly).
The Daintree Village Hotel is a great place to stop for dinner before making your way back to Port Douglas.
Photo by @ballyhooley
Make the most of your last day in Port Douglas with a visit to the bustling Sunday market, held from 8am – 2pm at Market Park. It’s the perfect spot for a bite to eat or to pick up a final souvenir – just don’t go past the Duke’s Doughnut stall: with flavours like milk chocolate and honeycomb custard and lemon meringue you’ll be glad you have to order one for each of the kids.
Before you jump back in the car or head to the airport, squeeze in a sightseeing adventure that chugs a little different. The Bally Hooley is a historic diesel and steam engine that slowly putt-putts past tranquil lagoons and gives you one last look at those Daintree mountains.