If you haven’t scrolled longingly through our Instagram feed, then we have a couple of questions for you. Firstly, do you even Instagram? Secondly, here’s what you’ve been missing out on. It’s okay. We’ll wait while you catch up…
The Port Douglas Daintree region is famed for its palm-fringed beaches, ancient rainforests and village lifestyle, and of course, being the gateway to the Great Barrier Reef and Daintree Rainforest. It’s pretty apparent that life is, well, rather attractive around these parts. This area is an Instagrammer’s dream in more ways than one, with diversity and surprises hiding around each corner. With natural beauty at every turn in every direction, here are the top 16 spots you need to visit to get your ‘gram game on point.
The home of hang-gliders and other adrenalin-seeking folk! This stop between Cairns and Port Douglas is the first view that truly says, ‘Welcome to The Tropics’ – a breathtaking coastal line view of the Coral Sea, from the Northern Beaches to the Daintree Rainforest, this may be one of the most perfect photos you take.
Thala Beach Nature Reserve is hard to miss. This unique spot located at Oak Beach, just south of Port Douglas, is home to over 700 coconut palms, all set in lines so perfectly straight you could sharpen your teeth on them. Coconutty views from ground-level, trunk-level and sky-level mean no matter where your angle, you’ll hit jackpot in the double taps.
The jewel of Port Douglas! Best beach in the world, so the locals say. Four Mile Beach begins at the northern rocky headland – great for kids to explore and play with the small crabs that make the beach their home. Then the golden sands of beach unfold in a gentle curve that continues as far as the eye can see, without a hint of civilisation beyond. #wilson
Flagstaff Hill is the ultimate viewing spot to oversee the sweeping majesty of Four Mile Beach and the Coral Sea and a spot that takes pride of place in many a photo album. Head straight up the stairs and out onto the viewing platform for your ‘I’M KWEEN OF THE WORLD’ pose. Especially effective at sunrise or sunset. Alternatively, walk a little further along the path for the view from the very top.
The word ‘iconic’ gets bandied around fairly willy-nilly these days, but when you step foot into this parkland, fringed by palm trees and kissed by the Coral Sea, everything makes sense. Morning yoga and boat-watching followed by late afternoon sunset watchers. On any given evening, slackliners, fire twirlers and bohemians gather along with picnickers and wanderers to watch the sun set over the ocean and the rainforest. Magical.
Low Isles is a stunning sand cay 15KM off the coast of Port Douglas. The island itself has an abundance of marine life and coral and a large population of sea turtles, but it’s the old fashioned and still operational red and white lighthouse that makes this little spot stick out like… well, a beacon in the night.
The pylons along the iconic Sugar Wharf allow boats to moor, although these days they’re likely to be linked to a wedding party rather than salty seadogs. Jutting out from the shore and overlooking the Dickson Inlet, the Sugar Wharf, with its whitewashed walls and stunning views of the inlet, is one of the most loved local landmarks.
You’re in sugar cane country now! Gangajang were certainly onto something – watching lightning crack over canefields is one of the most Australian things you could do. Here in the North, the canefields are a-plenty, the sticky, sweet smell of freshly cut cane pervades the senses during sugar cane season (May – Nov), and the sight of the mighty cane burn, if you get the opportunity, is something to behold.
Have you even been to the Mossman Gorge if you haven’t struck a (yoga) pose on or around the giant granite boulders in the middle of the gorge? These mighty rocks, surrounded by the emerald waters and lush foliage of the Daintree Rainforest are spectacular to look at, and the water that swirls around them is as cleansing for the soul as you can get.
The Great Barrier Reef is undeniably special to witness. From above, you get to appreciate the sheer size of the world’s largest coral reef. And from under the sea, the magnificence of this Natural World Wonder is utterly breathtaking. Get your Go-Pro out and primed for a flood of turtle selfies and fish faces.
Embrace your inner castaway fantasies in Cow Bay, just before Cape Tribulation. On a secluded section of the coastline is a rope swing from a palm tree that swings out over the white sand and azure waters. Bonus double taps if you can capture yourself on the swing at sunset.
The Alexandra Range Lookout is a must in your Instagram feed. With vast, sweeping views of vibrant green rainforest leading out to the white-sand fringed swirl of the Daintree River mouth, this lookout is the creme-de-la-creme of ‘gram backdrops.
Palm trees are tropo-lusty at the best of times, but it’s these occasional bendy palms that seem to reach out to the horizon that are particularly Insta-worthy. Why are they bendy? They just are. Located in various spots along the coastline including Oak Beach, Four Mile Beach and Myall Beach, we say, get sandy and don’t be afraid to work that camera to your best angles.
On a hot day, you’re more likely to find the locals escaping the heat at refreshing waterhole than sweating it out at the beach. Emmagen Creek, a picturesque little waterhole up in Cape Tribulation has been home to the Kuku Yalanji people for thousands of years and is an invigorating place to explore for all ages.
The heart of Cape Tribulation is an icon in the Daintree that can be found just as you reach Cape Tribulation Beach outside Cape Trib Beach House - the perfect spot for lovers to swoon.
There are many magical spots in the Daintree Rainforest to add to your Insta feed, but none quite as special as the spot where the reef and the rainforest meet at Cape Tribulation. Best taken from above, the coral reef kisses the white sand, and the lush rainforest reaches out to greet the caerulean blue waters. Mother Nature at her very best.
How many spots have you ‘grammed? We've got a handy map showing you where all these spots are along your way through Port Douglas and Daintree region. Download our map, get travelling and start ticking them all off!
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.
