Is Cairns cheaper than Port Douglas?

And now we come to what is going to be, for many, the major sticking point between the two destinations. It's with this in mind that we can safely say that Cairns is generally cheaper across the board than Port Douglas, particularly if you're willing to book into backpacker style accommodations.



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However, Palm Cove is ideal for couples on a weekend getaway, in need of relaxation but with the option of adventure. Whereas we recommend Port Douglas for families or large groups with a car who are intending to stay for longer than three days. Or, if you still can't decide, why not experience both?

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The best base for your Great Barrier Reef adventure really depends on your preferences. If you're looking for a more luxurious, laid-back experience, Port Douglas is a great option. If you want a wider range of activities and attractions, Cairns might be a better fit.

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How many days do you need to spend in Port Douglas? Due to the higher prices, most people will tend to stay 2 or three nights in Port Douglas. Therefore, I would suggest Snorkelling the Great Barrier Reef and visiting the Daintree National Park.

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Only a 25 minute drive to Cairns and a 35 minute drive to Port Douglas, Palm Cove is situated in the perfect location to explore the many Attractions of Far North Queensland. The World Heritage-listed Rainforest is minutes from Palm Cove and the Great Barrier Reef; so close it is just a hop skip and a jump away.

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Con: The humidity is real If you love year-round warm weather, Cairns is your jam. However, the humidity during wet season can be pretty intolerable.

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Compared with Australia's capital cities, Cairns is a far more affordable place to buy a house, send a child to private school, use childcare and park your car! Cost-of-living estimates for Cairns come in around $1500-$2100 monthly*, far lower than capital cities and on par with other major regional centres.

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Cairns City is known for sunny weather, warm winters, and for being the gateway to the tropics of Australia. The town itself is small, it's easy to walk around the entire city in a day, or jump on a shuttle or bus to get around.

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Port Douglas is famous for being so close to some of the top attractions in Australia, from the Great Barrier Reef to the oldest rainforest in the world, Daintree Rainforest. You also have the Four Mile Beach which is almost like a tropical island.

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Many visitors to Four Mile Beach, Port Douglas ask Can you swim all year round at Four Mile Beach? The simple answer is Yes.

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The Great Barrier Reef is also prone to thunderstorms and the occasional cyclone. If you want reliably good underwater visibility, summer might not be the best time as rain and storms can cause the water to become murky. It's not all bad though.

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Reaching the Barrier Reef from Cairns and Port Douglas only takes from 35 minutes to one and a half hours depending on your boat type and the location you are going to snorkel and scuba dive, whereas from everywhere else on the east coast of Australia it takes two and half to three hours to reach the snorkelling and ...

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Avoiding stinger season When you snorkel on the Great Barrier Reef during May to October you will avoid the peak stinger season. This is where box jellyfish and irukandji jellyfish are around. These jellyfish are around all year, they are more common during the warmer months.

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