Why Port Douglas is perfect for a long weekend with kids

This chilled-out tropical resort town in North Queensland offers families easy access to the Great Barrier Reef, the Daintree Rainforest and Four Mile Beach. 

Port Douglas is a fantastic family holiday destination, combining a laid-back tropical atmosphere with some of Australia’s most spectacular natural attractions. Located just an hour north of Cairns, this lovely seaside town is a safe and easy-to-explore option for families.  

Where is Port Douglas?

Port Douglas is located in Tropical North Queensland, around 70 kilometres north of Cairns on Australia’s Coral Sea coast. The quickest and easiest way to get there is to fly into Cairns Airport, which has direct flights from major Australian cities. Then, visitors will need to drive one hour to Port Douglas. As there is no direct public transport, families will need to arrange private transfers or hotel shuttles if they don’t drive.  

Where to stay in Port Douglas

Located right on the golden sand of Four Mile Beach, Sheraton Grand Mirage Resort Port Douglas is an ideal base for families exploring Port Douglas. The resort boasts two hectares of lagoon-style swimming pools, tropical gardens, seven restaurants and bars, and easy access to the area’s main attractions. Families can relax in spacious, light-filled rooms and studios with garden or lagoon views, and expect warm service from the smiling staff.  

Little Explorers package

Families with young children will love the Little Explorers package, designed especially for pre-schoolers. Along with daily buffet breakfast, children aged four years and under eat free, and families receive a complimentary upgrade to a spacious Garden View Studio. Little ones are welcomed with a colouring book, scavenger hunt map and cuddly toy, while parents can enjoy a 10% discount on entry to the popular Wildlife Habitat Port Douglas.  

The Little Explorers package is available for stays from now until 20 December 2026, using the promotional code ZJL when making online reservations. Or if booking via phone on +61 7-40995888, ask for the promotional code to be applied.  

Little Explorers package includes: 

• Daily buffet breakfast at Feast 

• Children aged four years and under eat free  

• Complimentary upgrade to a spacious Garden View Studio. Enjoy king-bed comforts while little ones drift into dreamland on a luxe pull-out sofa bed. 

• Little Explorers welcome amenity, which includes a colouring book, resort scavenger hunt map and stuffed toy 

• 10% discount on 5-day entry to Port Douglas Wildlife Habitat 

8 reasons to visit Port Douglas with kids

Explore two Australian icons

Port Douglas is the gateway to two UNESCO World Heritage-listed natural wonders: the Great Barrier Reef and the Daintree Rainforest. The Great Barrier Reef is the world’s largest living structure, stretching more than 2300km and hosting coral gardens, colourful fish, turtles, dugongs and whales, making it one of the best places for snorkelling and diving. Just north of town, the ancient Daintree Rainforest offers a completely different adventure. At more than 180 million years old, it’s the world’s oldest tropical rainforest and is home to cool native wildlife, including cassowaries, crocodiles and musky rat-kangaroos.  

Underwater discoveries

Families with older children can head out on a snorkelling adventure to explore the world beneath the waves, with more than 10 local operators offering tours to pontoons, coral cays and multi-site reef trips. Top spots include the Low Isles and the Agincourt Ribbon Reefs, where you can get up close and personal with some of Australia’s marine life.  

Safe and relaxed environment

For families seeking a safe and stress-free getaway, Port Douglas is hard to beat. This waterfront town is known for its chilled-out vibes and welcoming community, making it easy to switch off and spend quality time with the kids. Aside from taking sensible precautions against the tropical sun and following local crocodile safety advice, families will find Port Douglas a safe and quiet destination.  

Easy to navigate and totally walkable

Port Douglas is an easy place to get around, thanks to its compact, flat and walkable layout. The main village and dining precinct stretches from Macrossan Street to the marina and Four Mile Beach, and is lined with cafés, restaurants and shops. It’s about a 10 to 15-minute stroll from one end to the other. A local shuttle service is also available, with fares from $6 per trip or discounted day and multi-ride passes. Sheraton Grand Mirage Resort Port Douglas also has push bikes available for rent.  

Delicious food for all ages

The Port Douglas food scene caters to all palates and showcases the best of Tropical North Queensland. Most of the town’s restaurants and cafés are found on Macrossan Street and the Crystalbrook Superyacht Marina, making it easy to wander between dining spots on foot. Families can experience fine dining at restaurants such as Nautilus, Watergate, Melaleuca, Sassi La Cucina, Salsa and Wrasse & Roe, or opt for more casual, budget-friendly eateries such as The Tin Shed, Choo Choos, the Port Douglas Surf Club, and Rattle & Hum Bar & Grill.  

Sheraton Grand Mirage Resort Port Douglas offers one of the region’s strongest dining line-ups, from beachfront breakfasts and award-winning pan-Asian cuisine at Lagoon House Restaurant to a meal at Harrisons by Spencer Patrick, one of Port Douglas’ most acclaimed restaurants. Together, the venues showcase Queensland’s exceptional produce in stunning tropical surrounds. 

Hikes for every ability

There’s no better way to experience nature than on foot, and Port Douglas offers a range of walking and hiking trails for all abilities, from easy coastal strolls to more challenging rainforest climbs. Highlights include the Four Mile Headland Walk, Mossman Gorge Rainforest Circuit, Hartley’s Creek Falls and Spring Creek Falls. 

Family friendly cruising

This pristine pocket of Australia offers excellent cruising for families, with a range of operators gliding along the Great Barrier Reef and surrounding waterways. Quicksilver Cruises operates a full-day trip to Agincourt Reef on a catamaran with an activity platform, semi-submersible viewing and snorkelling for all abilities, while Silversonic visits three outer reef sites in one action-packed day. Sailaway Port Douglas offers a more eco-focused experience to the Low Isles, where families can swim with sea turtles in calm waters. Closer to town, the Lady Douglas River Cruise is a relaxed inlet journey ideal for spotting crocodiles and learning about the local mangroves. Daintree River Cruises rolls along the Daintree River and has Family Saver options that traverse the tropical ecosystem and visit estuarine crocodiles in their natural habitat.  

Wildlife encounters

Whether your kids love making feathered, furred or scaled friends, there’s an animal encounter to suit every preference in and around Port Douglas. At Wildlife Habitat Port Douglas, visitors can hand-feed native animals, come face-to-face with saltwater crocs or have breakfast alongside birds and koalas. If your family want to get to know Australia’s toothiest predator a little better, drop into Hartley’s Crocodile Adventures, where you can cruise on the croc-infested lagoon and witness feeding demonstrations, then relax with the friendly wombats and wallabies afterwards.  

This article was produced in partnership with Sheraton Grand Mirage Resort Port Douglas and is a Holidays with Kids digital exclusive.

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