Things to do around Port Douglas Australia

Far North Queensland has an abundance of activities that can occupy a visitor for weeks, if not longer. Even many locals have not experienced all the attractions that this part of the world has to offer because there are simply so many to choose from.

This website is particularly concerned with activities around the village of Port Douglas, and therefore will exclude activities that are associated mainly with Cairns, the main tourist hub of the region. For information about Cairns Attractions, cairnsattractions.com is a vital resource.

But if Port Douglas is your interest, read on!

Port Douglas is in a remarkable position of being snuggled between two of the worlds most incredible natural phenomena: The Great Barrier Reef and the Daintree Rainforest.

A trip to the Great Barrier Reef is a holiday you won't forget. Beautiful reefs, exotic fish, clear warm water and the hot sun combine to make a glorious experience. Whether you are interested in deep-sea diving among giant wrasse, or paddling in shallow water surrounded by tiny fish on the edge of a sandy cay, the Great Barrier Reef is a place you must visit.

The Great Barrier Reef has been described as one of the 7 wonders of the world, and there is little wonder why. As a World Heritage Listed area, the 2000km stretch of reef is home to more species of plants and animals than any other area of this size in the world. The combination of glorious weather, unspoilt rainforest, long white beaches, and warm blue water sets a scene for paradise. (Be careful though, during the rain season from December to March, you may encounter non-stop tropical downpours!) This is also the cleanest and clearest body of water in the world.

The Daintree Rainforest in Australia is one of the most diverse and beautiful examples of Mother Nature in the world. It is home to the most diverse range of plants and animals on earth, and all are found within an area of approximately 1200 square kilometres - the largest chunk of tropical rainforest in Australia.

This World Heritage Listed area contains the highest number of plant and animal species that are rare, or threatened with extinction, anywhere in the world. The Daintree Rainforest is a unique area, precariously balanced between the advances of development and the warnings of environmentalists.

• Visiting the Daintree Rainforest exposes tourists to a wonderful outdoor experience.
  
• Untouched tropical rainforest
  
• Golden beaches with calm water
  
• Hiking tracks
  
• Thousands of species of birds and other wildlife
  
• Remote wilderness
  
• Ecological information about the most diverse ecosystem in the world
  

Only 30 minutes drive from Port Douglas is a secluded swimming hole called Mossman Gorge. A short walking track leads down to water that cascades between large boulders to create dozens of small clear swimming craters. A day spent at Mossman Gorge can include hiking along rainforest walking tracks and cooling off in refreshing water holes. Nearby are tea and coffee plantations, a rainforest theatre and informative boardwalks through mangrove forests.