Nothing sets the scene for romance like an evening under the stars, a sunset sail on the wide open seas, or an intimate afternoon swinging in a hammock with your lover. Whether you're on the lookout for a place to spend your honeymoon, anniversary, or just an excuse to escape together, Port Douglas and the Daintree practically wrote the book on summer lovin'.
Here's 8 romantic things to do in Port Douglas (other than a diner date) that charm couples with their peace, privacy, and swoon-worthy surrounds.
Not many people can claim to have the world's oldest living rainforest right on their doorstep, so the best advice is to make use of it. It's almost like Mother Nature created Cape Tribulation and the Daintree Rainforest with intimacy in mind. From secret swimming holes, deserted white beaches that stretch for years and the magic of being enveloped by 180 million years of natural beauty, escaping to a hidden retreat nestled amongst the canopy or perched high above the Coral Sea in the treetops sounds like the ultimate date winner! There's plenty of places to stay - check out this list for some great spots to stay while you go off grid and reconnect with nature and each other in Cape Tribulation and the Daintree.
Who doesn't love a surprise romantic getaway... WITH A SPA FOR TWO? (*crickets*) Uh huh, we though so. There's only so far sweet nothings and boxes of Favourites go when woo-ing someone, so when the idea of a couples' spa treatment is suggested, that's a hard 'where do we sign up?' from over here.
It might be the robes, it might be the soothing pan flute music or just the simple fact that your phone is out of reach, but whatever it is, it's r-e-la-x-i-n-g. Check out Niramaya Villas and Spa or Vie Spa at Pullman Port Douglas Sea Temple for some true beachside tropical vibes; for those rainforest surround sounds feels, Daintree Eco Lodge and Spa will have you believing you just ate the Little Book Of Calm.
In a helicopter, of course! Nautilus Aviation will let you have a bird's-eye view of the stunning reef-meets-rainforest landscape. You'll also learn pretty quickly who can tolerate heights and who can tolerate being totally spoiled. And to really bank up those brownie points to epic levels, flying out to your own private sand cay for a luxury picnic in the middle of the Great Barrier Reef takes romance to a whole new level!
Greet the morning sunrise above the water while paddleboarding off Four Mile Beach with Windswell Kitesurfing & SUP before sailing to Low Isles with Sailaway for an adults-only afternoon of snorkelling on the Great Barrier Reef, then kick back for the sail back to Port Douglas as the sun sets over the Coral Sea. How refined! For something a little different, try the freshwater version and ‘river drift’ snorkel down the Mossman River with Backcountry Bliss Adventures. Port Douglas and the Daintree are also dotted with plenty of (safe) rainforest waterholes to dip in and cool off - try the crystal clear waters of the Mossman Gorge to start.
Okay, yes, we did say 'not a dinner date'... and lunch isn't dinner, right?! Long lazy lunches have their own particular languid romance about them - no one's in a rush, the wine is perfectly chilled and the balmy tropical surroundings are just as intoxicating. Port Douglas is in no shortage of fine restaurants to live out your gastronomic dreams with that special person, so go on - treat yo'selves.
Sunrise on Four Mile Beach is an enchanting hour to take a leisurely stroll together, or work up a bit more of a sweat walking up the stairs to greet the day from the Flagstaff Hill Lookout.
Sitting on the banks of the point, watching the boats roll in... the sun casting her fairyfloss rays over the Daintree Rainforest at Rex Smeal Park, paired with local fish and chips and a cool drink. Sunsets truly don't get any better than this. Don’t forget a picnic blanket and ice bucket if you really want to show off.
If you'd prefer to be ON the boats rather than watching them, there's a number that go out daily past the iconic Sugar Wharf toward the Coral Sea horizon chasing the sun's last rays of the day. Indigo Port Douglas has a maximum of 12 passengers for that intimate experience; the Shaolin is a unique opportunity to *ahem* get up close and personal on an authentic Chinese Junk boat, her red sails against the oceanic backdrop flooding your Instagram feed.
Love, oh love…what a beautiful mix of the warm and fuzzies. Maybe this is your first time to Port Douglas, or maybe it's the spot you first fell in love; maybe Port Douglas is full of magic for you and you want to share it with someone special, or maybe it's the place you dream of getting married one day. No matter the story, love is a grand and wonderful thing, so why not symbolise that love with a love lock? The eye-catching 'Heart of Port Douglas' art installation at the Crystalbrook Superyacht Marina invites lovers to lock in their love with a personalised padlock to symbolise everlasting love. Naaaawww.
Tourism Port Douglas Daintree acknowledges the custodianship of the Daintree Rainforest and Great Barrier Reef by the local Kuku Yalanji and Yirraganydji people whose rich cultures, heritage values, enduring connections and shared efforts protect our natural assets for future generations, and we pay our respect to elders past, present and emerging.
