Port Douglas Family Accommodation and Activities
2018
Port Douglas Family Accommodation and Activities
Post Updated: October 2023
Port Douglas family accommodation and family activities are plentiful in Port Douglas, making it a popular Queensland family holiday destination. Located approximately an hour north of Cairns in Tropical North Queensland, Port Douglas offers families a relaxed beachside holiday with a wide choice of family activities.
Surrounded by lush tropical rainforest, beautiful beaches and the Great Barrier Reef you’ll find plenty to do here for both young families and families with teenage children.
There’s something for everyone in Port Douglas and with the tropical weather, it makes this place the perfect holiday destination all year round - a great place for families to relax and spend some quality time with the kids.
Photo Courtesy of Tourism and Events Queensland
Port Douglas Family Accommodation
A popular choice for accommodation for families is the self-contained holiday apartments within the large Port Douglas resorts. These private holiday apartments offer a range of family accommodation options including some apartments with Swimout balconies.
This style of family accommodation is usually available in one, two or three-bedroom apartments which means they can cater for any size family inlcuding the extended family.
Self-contained holiday apartments come with a fully equipped kitchen and the all important washing machine and dryer for those loads of kids holiday clothes that need laundering - also means less to pack!
These private let holiday apartments come at a much cheaper rate than booking direct with the hotel as they are privately owned and managed.
Servicing of the apartments are not included however if you wish, you could request a mid holiday service but this comes at an extra cost, and with a self contained apartment you can pretty much look after it yourself and spend the money you have saved on other Family Day Trips in and around Port Douglas to keep the family happy.
Photo Courtesy of Tourism Tropical North Queensland
Alternatively, booking accommodation within one of the Port Douglas Resorts means you will have daily servicing and be able to order room service and have charge back facilities for items in the hotel such as the pool bar and restaurants.
Both the private apartment guests and the hotel resort guests share all the common facilities such as the swimming pools, spa, restaurants, resort shop, bar, day spa and dry cleaning services. The only difference is the families staying in the private apartments are required to pay at the resort outlets and don't have charge back facilities within the resort. Private apartment guests will have to pay for resort services upon consumption, but that is a positive as you can keep an eye on the family holiday budget.
Even Bigger Accommodation Choices For Bigger Families in Port Douglas
Holiday houses in Port Douglas are also a popular choice for families as they offer a lot of space with most being located close to the beach, or just a short stroll to the main street of Port Douglas, making it easy walking distance to explore.
The Port Douglas holiday specialists have a large options of holiday homes and villas ranging from the ultra luxury beachfront houses to beautifully built family homes. A number of these holiday homes are located side by side making them the perfect choice for a large family gatherings or extended family holidays.
Some of these homes are inside gated beachfront communities or on lovely rolling green golf courses. Each one is individually styled and offer leisure facilities such as swimming pools, poolside dining and gymnasiums just to mention a few.
Photo Courtesy of Tourism and Events Queensland
What to do with the Family in Port Douglas?
- ENJOY THE NATURAL SURROUNDS
Stretching the length of the township Four Mile Beach is huge drawcard for families. Grab a ball or a frisbie, and enjoy a family day on the beach. Kids will love making sand castles, and with plenty of shade in the afternoons, Four Mile Beach is lots of fun for families.
Rex Smeal Park, at the mouth of Dickson’s Inlet is an awesome place for picnics, ball play, watching boats cruise by and spectacular sunsets.
Both of these spots are free and within walking distance from Macrossan Street, Port Douglas’ main hub. The Sunday Markets are also another free family friendly activity located at end of Macrossan Street - make sure to try to fresh tropical fruit icecream!
- FAMILY GREAT BARRIER REEF TOURS
You’ll be spoilt for choice as far as Port Douglas family reef trips go. If your kids are quite young or not fantastic travellers then a reef trip to Low Isles is a great option, particularly if snorkelling is a first for them. They’ll learn in a shallow, sandy bay and the coral is straight off the beach. This island tour has glass bottom boat tours, historic lighthouse tours and it is also the place to snorkel if you wish to see turtles.
Another fantastic family option applies for non-swimmers like grandparents or younger children or for the very active teenager we would suggest you take a trip out to the Agincourt Ribbon Reef to the interactive floating pontoon where absolutely everyone will be kept busy exploring the reef all day.
A great option for families, located on the outer reef, you can enjoy activities such as snorkelling, go below deck to the underwater observatory or jump on one of the semi-submersible tours for coral and marine life viewing and even take an optional scenic helicopter flight over the reef.
For families with teenagers and confident swimmgers then another great option is the Outer Reef Trip which visits 3 different reef sites for amazing snorkelling and optional scuba diving and intro dives.
Photo Courtesy of Tourism and Events Queensland
- TAKE A RIVER CRUISE - SPOT A CROC
Spotting a crocodile in its natural habitat is a must! Lady Douglas offers a 90-minute river cruise that takes you deep into the mangroves of Dickson’s Inlet. The tour offers plenty for the kids to see and do with ‘eye spy’ games and even giving them a chance to sit in the captain’s seat to ‘drive’ the boat. Another popular option is to visit the Hartley's Crocodile Adventures where you can get up close and personal to a Croc. Another great way to get up close (safely) is to swim with a Croc at the Wildlife Habitat in Port Douglas!
- ADVENTURE THROUGH THE DAINTREE RAINFOREST
Taking a trip through the rainforest can be adventurous, fun and educational. With many tours to choose from, the Daintree rainforest is like an enchanted forest with native wildlife, butterflies and insects, as well as a huge range of tropical plant life. Kids love being able to explore and view the world from under the canopy of green. For families with older kids they'll love the full day Rainforest Zipline Tour that takes you to Cape Tribulation and includes an option for a swim, local Icecream and more...
For a half day tour with a difference the Drift Snorkel Tour is a great option where you can experience the tropical rainforest and refreshing waters of the Mossman River.
- MOSSMAN GORGE
Mossman Gorge is just out of Port Douglas and offers a great way for families to experience the Rainforest. Take part in a self guided walk or for those seeking a deeper understanding of the Kuku Yalanji land, take part in a guided Dreamtime walk led by the local Indigenous community. Self drive options available or a half day tour including Mossman Gorge and Daintree River Cruise is a great option!
- KURANDA
A day trip to Kuranda is a must for families! This Kuranda Day trip is a great option for families with a hire car - travel up to Kuranda on the Kuranda Scenic Railway, enjoy free time in Kuranda where you can grab a bite to eat, visit the Butterfly Sanctuary and then return to your car by Skyrail Rainforest Cableway gliding over the rainforest.
There are so many family tours from Port Douglas it can be confusing but with a little advice from The Tour Specialists we can advise you of the perfect tour and attractions options to suit your family.
During your Port Douglas family holiday make sure to check out the Bally Hooley Steam Train - a fun family activity which operates from Crystalbrook Superyacht Marina (currently closed - hopefully to reopen in the near future)
Photo Courtesy of Tourism and Events Queensland
Where to eat out with a family in Port Douglas?
With so many great restaurants and cafes on offer in such a small township, Port Douglas has a really good range of family friendly places to enjoy a family night out.
Salsa Bar & Grill is a Port Douglas favourite which showcases the relaxed lifestyle of Port Douglas and fresh local produce. The kids will be kept happy with a tasty kids menu which may allow you that extra time to enjoy a tropical cocktail!
The Tin Shed - located on the waterfront the Tin Shed offers a relaxed dining experience and a kids menu.
The Court House Hotel - also known as ‘The Courty’ offers all the classic pub favourites, perfect for a casual lunch or dinner or the Hog’s Breath Cafe or even the Yacht Club where the kids can run around the lawns.
Breakfast with the birds – Located at the Wildlife Habitat you can enjoy breakfast in a wildlife setting if you have younger children.
Or if you are in a self-contained apartment or holiday home you may just wish to stay home each evening and enjoy a home cooked barbeque, or fresh chilled seafood platter. With a central supermarket on Macrossan Street, it makes Port Douglas an easy family holiday destination.
If you’re after a great family getaway in a beautiful, laid-back location with plenty to offer then look no further.
Speak to us at Cairns Holiday Specialists on 07 4059 5959 and we can use our local knowledge to help you choose the best Port Douglas family accommodation and family activities for your holiday.
Post Updated: October 2023
Posted on September 07, 2018 at 11:27am by Christina James
