If you're dreaming of palm trees, sunshine, and family-friendly adventures, Port Douglas is the perfect place to unwind with young kids. We recently made the journey from Adelaide and had the most amazing tropical holiday—filled with beach days, wildlife encounters, and lots of time to slow down and reconnect.

🛫 Getting There from Adelaide

We flew from Adelaide to Cairns (just over 3 hours), then took a scenic 1-hour drive north to Port Douglas. The road hugs the coastline, so if your kids aren’t prone to motion sickness, it’s a beautiful drive. We recommend timing the drive to align with nap time or bringing plenty of snacks and music to keep little ones entertained.

🧳 What We Loved (and What We Learned)

We stayed in a lovely place, but it had two storeys—great for views, not so great for lugging prams, nappy bags, and toddlers up and down stairs! Next time, we’ll definitely look for a ground-floor option or something with easier access for families with small children. (Mum and Dad's backs will thank us!)

🌴 What to Do in Port Douglas with Kids

There’s so much to see and do that’s perfect for families with young children:

🐨 Wildlife Habitat Port Douglas

Hands-down one of our favourite days! It’s an immersive wildlife park where you can feed kangaroos, spot koalas, and even walk through a rainforest aviary. Easy to navigate with a pram, and great for short attention spans.

🏖️ Four Mile Beach

This beach is wide, clean, and absolutely stunning. In stinger season (typically November to May), be sure to swim inside the designated netted area or enjoy some sandy play near the water's edge. Go early before the sun gets too hot.

🍦 Macrossan Street

Perfect for a lazy afternoon stroll—grab an ice cream, pop into some shops, and soak up the relaxed holiday vibe. Plenty of shady spots for a rest or snack break with little ones.

🛥️ Great Barrier Reef (Kid-Friendly Style)

While longer reef trips might not suit little ones, some operators offer half-day or low-key beach snorkelling options that are great for families with young kids. We opted for a relaxed beach day instead, but we’ve bookmarked this for when the kids are a bit older.

👶 Our Top Tips for Port Douglas with Little Ones

• Pack for humidity – it’s tropical, so lightweight clothes, hats, and LOTS of sunscreen are essential.
• Stay cool – early mornings and late afternoons are ideal for outings. Spend the hottest part of the day resting, swimming, or napping back at your accommodation.
• Ground-level accommodation is your friend – trust us!
• Take your time – everything is close by, so there’s no need to rush. Port Douglas is best enjoyed at a slow, kid-friendly pace

Port Douglas is a fantastic destination for families looking for sunshine, nature, and a bit of tropical magic. While we learned a few lessons along the way (hello, stairs!), we came home with sandy toes, happy kids, and hearts full of memories.

Would we go again? Absolutely. But next time, we’re booking a single-level stay—and packing lighter!