1. First impressions count: <\/strong>As you descend into Cairns Airport, one of the first things you\u2019ll notice is the view. And it gets better. The 1hr drive from the airport to Port Douglas – along the twisting and winding Captain Cook Highway – is one of Australia\u2019s most spectacular coastal drives.<\/p>\n 2. So many resorts to choose from: <\/strong>Port Douglas is a resort town that caters to all types of holiday-makers and budgets. We settle on the Mantra PortSea<\/a>, which is an easy 15min walk into town and has both hotel rooms and self-contained apartments, as well as tennis courts, activities, and, of course, the prerequisite of any tropical retreat – the oh-so-tempting swim-up pool bar.<\/p>\n 3. It\u2019s bike friendly: <\/strong>Port Douglas is (mostly) flat, which makes it great to explore by bike. Many hotels in the area offer free bikes for guests, but otherwise there are plenty of local providers on the main street, where you can hire by the hour, half-day, or full day.<\/p>\n 4. You can walk the mile (or four): <\/strong>Port Douglas\u2019s Four Mile Beach is world-famous for a reason. You might struggle getting out of bed once you\u2019re in holiday mode, but it\u2019s well worth at least one early morning to catch the sunrise over the tropical waters, followed by a nice, long walk up the beach.<\/p>\n 5. Friendly locals: <\/strong>Being a tourist in your own country reminds you how friendly Aussies are, especially outside the major cities. From our tour guide, to the local shop owners, to the random people walking on the beach, Port Douglas locals certainly know how to make visitors feel welcome.<\/p>\n 6. Spa time: <\/strong>One of the best ways to ease into tropical time is to have a 1hr massage at Peppers Beach Club Port Douglas<\/a>. You\u2019ll walk out on cloud nine, well and truly in holiday mode.<\/p>\n 7. Get your zen on: <\/strong>Step up the relaxation levels with Yoga on the Beach<\/a>, which occurs at 8am on Four Mile Beach every day.<\/p>\n 8. The foodie scene: <\/strong>A special call-out must be made to Salsa Bar & Grill<\/a>, just opposite the waterfront. AMAZING. But Port D has more than one place to treat your tastebuds. Check out all the ways to eat your way around your new fave holiday spot with our Foodies\u2019 guide to Port Douglas<\/a>.<\/p>\n 9. The fabulous boutiques: <\/strong>The main street of Port Douglas, Macrossan St, is a hive of activity. You could easily spend a morning (or more) window shopping your way around all the cute boutiques.<\/p>\n 10. The world\u2019s oldest rainforest is on your doorstep: <\/strong>Forget the Amazon – the UNESCO World Heritage-listed Daintree Rainforest is the oldest rainforest in the world. For the best experience, book a day tour<\/a>. You\u2019ll see all the best sites, plus you\u2019ll learn about the Daintree\u2019s unique landscape and its fascinating European and Indigenous history.<\/p>\n 11. The reef: <\/strong>Both full and half-day Great Barrier Reef tours<\/a> depart from the Port Douglas Marina every day. Hot tip: Avoid a windy or overcast day if you can, as the colours of the water and marine life are much more vibrant when the sun is shining.<\/p>\n 12. Real live crocs: <\/strong>Play spot the lurking crocodile and check out other cool wildlife, like snakes and birds (without getting too close, of course), on a 1hr cruise down the Daintree River<\/a>.<\/p>\n 13. The local markets: <\/strong>For 25 years, the Port Douglas Markets<\/a> have been held every Sunday in Market Park. It\u2019s a great place to pick up local fruit, veggies, or a Tropical North souvenir.<\/p>\n 14. Flames of the Forest<\/strong>: A night at Flames of the Forest<\/a> isn\u2019t your typical dinner. In the heart of the world\u2019s oldest rainforest, surrounded by candles, chandeliers,and flamelit torches, you\u2019ll experience a sacred evening of Indigenous music, theatre, and storytelling while enjoying incredible gourmet Australian cuisine matched with local wines and beers. It\u2019s a serious must-do.<\/p>\n 15. The night scene: <\/strong>From cane toad racing at the IronBar<\/a>, to live music at the Court House Hotel<\/a>, there are plenty of local haunts to get your party vibe on after the sun goes down.<\/p>\n 16. The caf\u00e9 culture: <\/strong>After a night out on the town, a lazy brunch at Betty\u2019s Bohemian Beach Caf\u00e9<\/a> seriously hits the spot. The blueberry, banana, and acai bowl is as delicious as it is pretty.<\/p>\n 17. Flagstaff Hill Lookout: <\/strong>Burn off a few holiday cocktails with a walk up Flagstaff Hill. Not only will you have earnt yourself another pina colada, you\u2019ll also be rewarded with incredible views of the ocean, mountains, and Port Douglas town.<\/p>\n 18. Last but not least: <\/strong>One of the best parts about holidaying in Australia is the shorter travel time. Skip the customs queues and overseas flight times, and you\u2019re guaranteed to return home with your holiday vibe (and tan) intact.<\/p>\n![](\"https:\/\/images.trvl-media.com\/media\/content\/expaus\/lm\/ads\/2017\/port-douglas\/1048px-wide-1.jpg\")
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