9 of the best bars and pubs in Port Douglas

Want a frosty schooner or a tangy cocktail? Enjoy the tropical sunshine and long, warm afternoons at these top Port Douglas pubs and bars.

When average daily temperatures hover around the mid-20s and the ocean constantly laps lovingly at the shore, it’s only logical that you make the most of your days with good food, great drinks and stunning views.

Whether you’re after a frosty schooner or a tangy cocktail, you can enjoy the tropical sunshine and long, warm afternoons at these top Port Douglas pubs and bars.

1. Bam Pow

wontons at Bam Pow, Port Douglas bars and pubs — The standout wontons at Bam Pow. (Image: Supplied)

This funky plant-based eatery is only open from 4–9 pm, but the first two hours of service are dedicated to the happy hour specials: refreshing $12 margaritas (watermelon, spicy and classic), $7 beers and a banh-mi-and-beer combo for $24. Neon lights, board games and a fully vegan menu of chilli-topped dumplings, fresh ramen and crispy banh xeo make this eatery a must-hit hot spot in paradise.

2. Barbados

a spread of food at Barbados Restaurant and Bar, Port Douglas pubs — Pair your rum with seafood plates at Barbados. (Image: Krista Eppelstun)

Watch the sky turn from fairy-floss pink to bright orange from a generous lounger at the beachy Barbados bar, a coconut chilli margarita in hand. Once the sun sets, chase it with a plate of crispy Peking duck spring rolls, delivered while you’re comfortably supine in paradise. (Barbados is also home to over 80 different rums from around the world, best experienced in a “signature tiki" cocktail that comes out in the glass shaped like, you guessed it, a tiki.)

3. Jimmy Rums

a bartender adding toppings on a drink at Jimmy Rums, Port Douglas bars and pubs — Jimmy Rums serves up punchy tipples.

Tropical North Queensland is home to hectares and hectares of sugarcane farms, and the rum history is deeply interwoven here, too. Late-night cocktail haunt Jimmy Rums operates until 1 am, serving up fiery and flavourful drinks in an assortment of zany goblets (looking at you, skull glasses crowned with flames) and libations topped with dried rounds of banana. Go the “Where’s Wattle", which pairs rum with a nutty wattleseed reduction and chocolate bitters, for a different taste of the region. 

4. Jungle Fowl

the dining interior of Jungle Fowl, Port Douglas bars and pubs — The leafy restaurant is filled with colourful murals. (Image: Chrissie Cosgrove)

The fun starts on the walls of this Thai fusion restaurant , where colourful murals reflect the buoyant buzz of beach life. Outdoor seating on Wharf Street looks out over the water and leafy trees, while indoor seats get just about the same when the accordion doors are stacked open. Happy hour runs from 5–6 pm and includes $12 cocktails such as the makrut lime-spiked mojito or zesty Thai-twisted margaritas alongside $10 ginger-topped beef-brisket bao. “Thrifty Thursdays", though, are where things get really interesting: $20 curry and rice, plus $12 margs and $10 wines all night long. 

5. Port Douglas Yacht Club

the Port Douglas Yacht Club — Sip on arvo tipples by the water at Port Douglas Yacht Club. (Image: Supplied)

On Wednesdays, this yacht club offers a “WAGS" (Wednesday Afternoon Go Sailing) event, where visitors and locals are invited to join boat-owning members of the club for an afternoon sail. Whether or not you snag a spot (rock up at 3:30 pm for a shot), everyone is invited to take part in arvo tipples by the water, with festoon lights above and grass beneath your toes. Plus, if you become a club member, you’ll gain access to cheaper prices in the bar and restaurant. 

6. The Tin Shed

the boat ramp at sunset, The Tin Shed, Port Douglas pubs — Relax with a drink at sundown. (Image: The Tin Shed)

Technically a not-for-profit community organisation, this eatery and bar enjoys exceptional ocean views from its perch on Dickson Inlet. On the second level is the “Bacardi Bar", from where waving to passing yachts is almost compulsory. Happy hour runs from 4–5 pm Monday through Saturday, and 3–4 pm on Sundays, where you’ll enjoy 20 per cent off drinks that can be paired with a $30 bucket of local tiger prawns.

7. Hemingway’s Brewpub

the Hemingway’s Brewpub at the marina, Port Douglas bars and pubs — Hemingway’s Brewpub’s marina location is an idyllic spot for diners.

This two-storey establishment overlooking the mega-yachts at the marina buzzes with visitors, young and old, many of the latter who flock for the cheerful ambience and schooners of locally made draft beer as they do the coconut prawns, mushroom pizza and Thursday night trivia. Extra-long picnic tables out on the boardwalk make boat-spotting and balmy Port Douglas evenings extra enjoyable. 

8. Daintree Bar, Sheraton Mirage

cocktail drinks at Daintree Bar, Sheraton Mirage, Port Douglas pubs — Don’t miss out on Daintree Bar’s Happy Hour specials. (Image: Sheraton Mirage Resort)

Located within the expansive grounds of the luxurious Sheraton Mirage Port Douglas Resort , this rum-friendly bar is known for its tasting flights and cocktails. Three shelves of spirits are stacked behind the bar, and happy hour runs from 5–6 pm (and again from 8:30–10 pm for a “nightcap") with $15 cocktails and $10 wines for Marriott Bonvoy members. (If you’re not already one, you can sign up for free from your perch at the bar.) Whether you’re a guest at the resort or a visitor for the afternoon, you can munch on barramundi fish fingers while sipping espresso martinis or Aperol spritzes – plural. 

9. The Court House Hotel

the sports bar at The Court House Hotel, Port Douglas pubs — The Court House Hotel transforms into a sports bar after 10 pm. (Image: Tourism and Events Queensland)

This family-friendly establishment – the oldest pub in Port Douglas , to be exact – serves up fish tacos, chicken schnitzels and rump steaks for lunch and dinner, then turns into a sports bar after 10 pm. Bring the whole crew and enjoy the live music in the beer garden five nights a week, plus Sunday strumming sessions until 9 pm.

Discover the best places to stay in Port Dogulas

Adventure and refined Luxury combine at the stunning Rangelands Outback Camp.

Iconic Australian red dirt, ancient rocky landscapes and bursts of greenery and wildflowers all make the small town of Winton, and its surrounds, a sight to behold. Escape the ordinary and unwind in the Queensland outback, where ancient landscapes and off-grid luxury await at Rangelands Outback Camp.

cosy seats in Rangelands Outback Camp — Unwind in the ancient outback.

About Rangelands Outback Camp

Unforgettable 360-degree views of this 95-million-year-old land await at Rangelands; bathed in style and positioned on top of a jump-up (or mesa), your tented camp seamlessly blends into its outback setting.

Set on the 53,935-square-kilometre Rangelands Station – a working cattle property – the abundant wildlife are your only neighbours; kangaroos, echidnas, eagles and other birdlife all call Rangelands home.

Bathed in style, your tented camp seamlessly blends into its outback setting. Indulge with carefully curated menus, personalised service and supersized luxury tents that guarantee a private experience. This exclusive camp only has a maximum of 12 guests at a time.

Here, the aim is pampering. From tasty menus to supersized tents with all the creature comforts, to a range of guided tours around the property and beyond.

Guests are transferred from Winton or Longreach by a dedicated Rangelands driver.

aerial shot of Rangelands Outback Camp tent — Soak in 360-degree views.

Rangelands Outback Camp tours

Join small-group tours and enjoy exclusive access to the ancient Rangelands Rifts with your Rangelands hosts. These incredible rock formations were formed by millions of years of erosion, leaving dramatic channels through the rock. Or explore the surrounds with Rangeland’s touring partner, Red Dirt Tours .

Get sunset birds-eye views over dramatic mesa country in a helicopter, from Queensland’s own Three Sisters to Corey’s Range, stopping at the best lookouts along the way.

Get up close and personal with this rugged land on four wheels, with expert drivers and guides leading guests through famous Bladensburg National Park, visiting Gondwana Stars Observatory and more.

The Winton area is famous for its boulder opals (the second-rarest opal in the world, after black opals), and a stop at the mining community of Opalton sheds a fascinating light on the unique fossicking method used to find them.

A trip to dinosaur country is a must, as this is the place that ramped up Australia’s dino contribution after a fossilised footprint was found in 1962; after more exploration, the discovery of 3300 footprints made it clear this was the world’s only evidence of a dinosaur stampede. Those same footprints are still on display today at Lark Quarry Conservation Park , a 90-minute drive from Winton. Also check out Australia’s largest collection of Australian Dinosaur fossils Australian Age of Dinosaurs, just 30 minutes from Winton. Here, join a tour through a working laboratory, dinosaur canyon and more.

A twice-daily transfer into downtown Winton is offered to guests, where they can explore the Royal Outdoor Theatre, opal shops, Waltzing Matilda Centre and more.

tour being led through Rangeland rifts — Have an exclusive adventure through the Rangeland Rifts. (Image: TEQ)

Sleeping in luxury

After a day of exploring, return to your tranquil tent for a blissful open shower and uninterrupted views from your private deck.

Designed to integrate guests into the surrounding nature, each tent feels like its own private haven. While being off-grid in the outback (in fact, each tent is powered by its own solar panels, with the added support of a backup generator), guests can also luxuriate in comfortable amenities like air conditioning, a supremely comfortable king-size bed and stylish designer touches.

Guests can stroll to the open-air Sunset Deck for breathtaking panoramic views, or to the main lounge and dining tent, where books, on-demand coffee and drinks make it the perfect place to relax after a day in the outback.

inside Rangelands Outback Camp bedroom — Enjoy plenty of space inside, and stunning views outside.

Rangelands Outback Camp dining

As the sun starts to dip below the horizon, gather for drinks and canapés on the expansive Sunset Deck, watching the sun drench the landscape in pinks and oranges as it sinks below the horizon.

Later, head to The Mahal lounge area and dining tent where mealtime magic happens. Savour a gourmet meal made fresh by Rangeland’s onsite chef. The meals use local produce to elevate classic outback dishes, and don’t worry, dietary requirements are happily accommodated.

Enjoy an open bar filled with an expansive hand-selected list of wines and premium beers, with wine pairings offered by Rangelands hosts come dinner time.

Discover more and book your luxurious stay at rangelandscamp.com.