What do you need to know about organising a Business Event in Port Douglas? Here is a cheat sheet we have put together to help you answer all the questions you or your delegates might have.
Arriving by Air: Fly into Cairns Domestic or International Airport from all capital cities (and other regional areas depending on the air carrier) with major carriers daily. Airlines servicing Cairns Airport - Air New Zealand, Air Niugini, AirNorth, Cathay Pacific, China Eastern, China Southern, Hainan Airlines, Hinterland Aviation, Jetstar, Jin Air, PNG Air, Qantas, Qantaslink, Regional Express Airlines, SilkAir, Skytrans, Tiger Airways and Virgin Australia. Charters into Cairns Airport are available with Alliance Airlines and Asia Pacific Airlines.
Our tip: sit on the right-hand side of the plane when you are heading north so you can look out the window and check out the reef as you are descending towards Cairns (this is only available for daylight flights!).
Bus Shuttle Transfer: Enjoy the scenery along the beginning of the Great Barrier Reef Drive, coach transfers are the most common choice to Port Douglas from Cairns Airport. Shuttles are available for delegates flying in at different times. Why not arrive in style with heli transfers ?
Our tip: aim to sit on the right-hand side window when travelling North and left-hand side when travelling South to get the best view of the stunning Great Barrier Reef Drive scenery.
Leave ties and suits at home - the dress code is casual and relaxed! Sandals, thongs or open shoes are a must, but if you plan on hiking the Bump Track, exploring the rainforests or going for a morning jog along Four Mile Beach, pack your runners.
Whatever the time of year, you will only need to pack lightly - at 16 degrees south of the Equator, the weather in Port Douglas is like Tahiti. Some nights during the winter months you many need a wrap and can wear long pants. However, most people are comfortable in dress shorts and shirts, summer dresses and light cardigans. Don't forget to bring your swimmers and you must wear sun protection to ensure you don't look like a tomato after a day out in the tropical sun.
The weather in Port Douglas is comfortable and tropical all year round, with maximum temperatures usually forecast at 31º C (88 F) in the summer and 26°C (79 F) in the winter. There are generally only two seasons in the Tropics, ‘the green’ and ‘the dry’. During the cooler, dry season the days are balmy and the evenings pleasantly cool (17-26ºC/63-79F). Summertime, or the green season, means warmer weather and restorative rain. The rainforest revitalises itself and the streams are replenished. The green season also means marine stingers inhabit the warm tropical waters along the north Queensland coast. Swimming only within the protected enclosure at Four Mile Beach is recommended. Stingers are usually present in the water from November to the end of May.
Charter Luxury Coaches: Port Douglas has an array of bus companies with vehicles available for private charter. The coaches are different sizes and suitable for all types of groups and transfers to and around Port Douglas, Daintree and Cape Tribulation.
Our tip: If your event is during peak season (June - October) book all private charters in advance
Bike Hire: Two wheels adds something different to your event and will get your delegates blood pumping. Port Douglas township is flat and only 7km in distance, to top this off Four Mile Beach is made for cycling. Nothing says welcome to Port Douglas than an afternoon bike ride into town along Four Mile Beach. We even have Electric Bikes available for rental for those who are seeking an easier ride.
Our tip: Check the tide times if planning a beach cycle ride and always wear a cycle helmet
Cairns: 1 hour
Mareeba: 1.25 hours
Palm Cove: 30 mins
Kuranda: 1 hour
Mossman Gorge: 20 mins
Daintree Village: 1 hour
Cape Tribulation: 1.5 hours
Cooktown: 3 hours on the inland road
We endorse free time for delegates when in Port Douglas, so they can explore the village and soak up the atmosphere. The main shopping precinct is located in Macrossan Street, however, you will find treasures in Grant Street, Wharf Street and at the Crystalbrook Super Yacht Reef Marina. Port Douglas has a large range of eclectic, boutique stores, with a few major brand stores jotted in between souvenir shops and restaurants. You can shop year round, 7 days a week.
Banks are located on Macrossan Street and operate Monday - Friday, with 24-hour automatic teller machines available outside of these hours. All major credit cards are accepted. The banks in Port Douglas include - ANZ Bank, Bendigo Bank, Commonwealth Bank of Australia, National Australia Bank and Westpac Bank.
Australian electricity is supplied at 230/240 volts (50 hertz), however, some Port Douglas hotels will also provide 110 volt AC sockets (rated at 20 watts) for electric razors only. We recommend bringing an adapter/converter unless the item has a multi-voltage option.
Port Douglas has reliable mobile coverage, however some carriers may experience black spots in different parts of the region. There is no mobile coverage once you cross the Daintree River into the Daintree Rainforest. For accurate coverage, check with your network.
It is warm enough to swim all year round in Port Douglas and Daintree, however from November to June, box jellyfish or stingers, live in the coastal waters. The sting is very painful and in very rare cases fatal. You can swim year-round at the Great Barrier Reef off Port Douglas, whilst wearing the recommend sunsuit or wetsuit (available for use on the majority of boats) during the summer months to protect from sunburn and the rare occurrence of jellyfish sting on the reef.
Our tip: Although sunsuits are not the most attractive attire, we recommend wearing them all year round when at the reef to protect yourself from sunburn but also protect the Great Barrier Reef from the chemicals contained in certain sunscreen protection
It is possible to swim year-round between the flags located at the northern end of Four Mile Beach Port Douglas. Surf Lifesavers supervise swimmers at the beach and their advice must be followed. The beach will be closed when certain weather patterns occur and these closures must be adhered to.
Additionally, hotels and motels in Port Douglas have swimming pools. Freshwater rivers, waterfalls and pools around the region offer ideal opportunities for swimming. Never swim in far northern rivers and streams - always seek local advice as crocodiles may be present. Many areas are posted with warning signs also.
Discover everything Port Douglas has to offer in one guide – from flights and itineraries to venues, capacities and more.