General News
17 December, 2025
Port in top 10
PORT Douglas has been rated in the top 10 destinations by leading travel website Booking.com
Tourism Port Douglas and Daintree executive officer Emma Tunnock said Port Douglas – in the company of destinations such as Bilbao, Manaus and Mũi Né – stood apart as a coastal escape that punched well above its weight on the world stage.
“The findings reinforce what locals and returning visitors have long known: Port Douglas offers the rare combination of two World Heritage environments – the Great Barrier Reef and the Daintree rainforest – within a relaxed coastal village that celebrates nature, culture, adventure and connection,” she said.
“Consumer data from Booking.com shows travellers in 2026 are increasingly prioritising holidays that reflect personal passions, nature immersion, cultural connection and emotional wellbeing – a shift that aligns strongly with the Port Douglas experience.
“Visitors are gravitating towards:
Small-group and intimate tour styles
Authentic interactions with nature and culture
The restorative benefits of quiet and wilderness
Holidays that feel meaningful, not transactional.
“Port Douglas delivers all of this in one place – whether sailing to a remote sand cay, snorkelling with turtles, exploring ancient rainforest with Kuku Yalanji guides, discovering wildlife and tranquillity or unwinding with barefoot luxury.”
Ms Tunnock said the recognition reflected the unique nature and deep character of the Douglas region.
“For Port Douglas to be recognised as one of the world’s top trending destinations – and the only Australian location on the list – is a truly special moment for our region,” she said.
Ms Tunnock said the recognition reflected the passion, creativity and deep sense of place that operators brought to every visitor experience on the Reef, in the rainforest, on Country with Traditional Owners or in Port Douglas village.
“Travellers today are seeking meaning, connection and nature, and Port Douglas delivers that in a way few destinations can. Our community has always known how extraordinary this place is – now the world is recognising it too.”
Booking.com Ocean and Korea regional manager Todd Lacey said in 2026, “travel becomes a powerful expression of individuality. Australians are curating journeys that reflect who they truly are: testing relationships, embracing AI and even seeking cosmic alignment through astrology-inspired escapes”.
“The future of Australian travel is both tech-driven and deeply personal: slower, quieter and more intentional.
“Whether that’s a campervan journey along the Great Ocean Road or a wellness retreat in the Daintree Rainforest, travellers are recreating family memories, rewriting road trip plans and leaning into everyday joys.”
Tourism Tropical North Queensland chief executive officer Mark Olsen said it was no surprise that travellers seeking ultra-personalised journeys would choose Port Douglas.
“With the Great Barrier Reef on one side and the world’s oldest rainforest on the other, Port Douglas is the gateway to diverse natural experiences,” he said.
“Take your pick from drifting underneath the rainforest canopy on the Mossman River, walking alongside a Kuku Yalanji guide discovering how the rainforest sustained their people for tens of thousands of years or ziplining through the treetops.”
Tourism visionary John Morris said Port Douglas was “so special to me and my family”.
“To see Port Douglas recognised on a world stage is extraordinary and I know this town is going to benefit beautifully from it.
“This is an incredible time for visitors from overseas to escape their winter and experience our vibrant Reef and green season,” he said.
Juan Walker, the owner-operator of Walkabout Cultural Adventures said people “come on Country with us, they leave with a greater appreciation for First Nations knowledge of the natural environment”.
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