Four Mile Beach is the main beach in Port Douglas and, as its name suggests, the sandy stretch runs for about four miles (6.5 kilometres). At the southern end of this pristine beach is a mangrove forest and the northern end features a hill with a lookout point, a great place to see the sunrise over the Coral Sea.
The firm sand makes this beach a runner’s or biker’s paradise. Swimmers will find the water pleasantly warm on this sheltered stretch of coastline. Children will enjoy rock hopping along the beachhead. Join them in discovering plenty of small crabs and invertebrates.
Because there is no development of any kind allowed on or along Four Mile Beach, this is a great place for relaxing too. Bring some drinking water, plenty of sun protection and a towel and make yourself comfortable!
Walk the full length of the beach if you feel active. Palm trees and casuarinas provide shade along the way. Explore the rock pools at low tide and enjoy the peaceful tropical setting. Anglers come here at sunset, so rent a rod and join them or bring a bucket and dig in the sand to find pipi, small shellfish.
Lifeguards and nets against jellyfish make the northern section of the beach the safest place for a dip. From November to May you will need to rent or buy a lycra suit for protection against tiny, poisonous stingers which inhabit the waters in the Australian summer. Swim between the flags, where the lifeguards can see you. Saltwater crocodiles sporadically visit the south end of the beach, so don’t enter the water near the mangroves.
Four Mile Beach is located on the east side of the Port Douglas peninsula. Getting there is easy if you are staying in town because many resorts and hotels are just a short walk away. The surf lifesaving club with restaurant is a good place for parking and snacks on the northern end of the beach. More free parking is available on many of the beach’s access roads and public toilets are often located near parking lots.
