Port Douglas might be a small town but what it lacks in size it makes up for in activities. 2025 is chock-a-block with fun events so if you’re planning a trip this year, buckle up because you’re in for a fun one!
Here's a rundown of the must-attend events that'll have you dancing, dining, and maybe even peddling your way through tropical paradise.
For those who believe that life is better on a boat, the Riddoch Insurance Port Douglas Race Week is your calling. Spanning over five days, sailors and spectators alike are invited to enjoy a all the fun, food and of course sailing held at the Port Douglas Yacht Club. The six-race series takes place on the stunning waters of the Coral Sea, with courses around Low Isles and Snapper Island. Even if your sailing experience is limited to commandeering a canoe, we guarantee you’ll still get a kick out of seeing these yachts gliding through our beautiful blue waters.
Ah, Carnivale. The beloved annual event that kicks off the official start of the tourist season and the one event that locals and tourists look forward to the most. Just when we thought last year’s 30th birthday celebrations would be hard to top, organisers have come out with brand new events and an even bigger program. New additions this year include Maho Magic Bar, bringing a little bit of that Tokyo mojo to the tropics as well as an impressive live music agenda, Savannah Sounds. Headed by the legends behind Savannah in the Round, this three-day extravaganza will bring Rex Smeal Park to life. All our regular favourites such as the Macrossan Street Parade, Longest Lunch and Family Beach Day will also be returning the complete one epic weekend.
For those who think a vacation should include a casual 3.8km swim, 180km bike ride, and a 42.2km marathon (because why not?), mark your calendars for June 15, 2025. The Cairns Ironman is back, and its course is as scenic as it is gruelling. Starting with a swim in the warm waters off Palm Cove, athletes will then bike along the breathtaking Captain Cook Highway towards Port Douglas before finishing with a run that concludes at the Cairns Esplanade. Even if your idea of exercise is lifting a cocktail, this event is a spectacle worth witnessing and is one sure fire way to get you back onto your New Years Resolutions that I’m sure you’ve all forgotten about…Visitors at this time should be aware the coastal road between Port Douglas and Cairns is closed for this event so be sure to prepare accordingly.
Port Douglas and the Daintree is often regarded as a foodie haven so it’s no wonder that one of the country’s best food festivals is held right here! The annual Taste Port Douglas event see’s Australia’s top chefs such as Manu Fidel and Colin Fassnidge, congregate in our small paradise for four days of masterclasses and one-of-a-kind dining experiences that showcase the region’s finest produce at venues around town. Be sure to head to Festival Village at the Sheraton Grand Mirage on Sunday 10th for a family-friendly day of food stalls, kids activities and live cooking demos.
If you prefer your athletic endeavours with a side of stunning ocean views, the Port Douglas Gran Fondo in September 2025 is calling your name. "Gran Fondo" is Italian for "great ride," and this cycling event definitely lives up to the name. Participants will pedal along the Great Barrier Reef Drive between Port Douglas and Palm Cove, a route so picturesque it might just make you forget you're exercising.
This year, the event will be coupled with the very first Run Port Douglas event on Saturday 13 September so those who are more inclined to run than ride can still join in on the fun. Choose between a 2km, 5km, 10km or the half marathon if you dare.
For those who believe that music festivals are best enjoyed under the expansive skies of outback Queensland, Savannah in the Round is your ticket to paradise. Every year, the town of Mareeba is transformed into a musical haven attracting some of the biggest names in music. This year’s lineup includes the likes of Kasey Chambers, James Reyne, Daryl Brathwaite and Baby Animals - and that’s just the first release!
The three-day festival is best enjoyed camping onsite and fully embracing the festival spirit and the celebration of community, culture, and joy of live performances.
Rex Smeal Park will once again be transformed into the world’s most picturesque outdoor cinema with the return of the Port Shorts short film festival. If you’ve ever wanted to watch some of the best short films from around the world under the stars on the edge of the Coral Sea, then this event is for you. Hosted by Australian acting royalty, Stephen Curry, this annual event is a crowd favourite amongst locals and one not to be missed.
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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.
