Four Mile Beach at a Glance
Four Mile Beach is the main beach in Port Douglas, about 6.5 kilometres of palm-lined sand a short walk from Macrossan Street. A patrolled swimming area with a stinger net operates in the warmer months, and the beach is ideal for walking, swimming and watching the sunrise.
Four Mile Beach is the golden heart of Port Douglas — an uninterrupted four-mile (about 6.5 km) sweep of soft sand backed by palms and rainforest-clad hills, with the Coral Sea stretching out in front. It’s where the town swims, walks, jogs and watches the sunrise, and it’s just a short stroll from Macrossan Street. This local guide covers everything you need to enjoy it: swimming and stinger safety, the best spots, activities, parking and how to get there.
Where is Four Mile Beach?
Four Mile Beach runs along the eastern edge of the Port Douglas peninsula, a five-minute walk (or short drive) from the town centre and Macrossan Street. Its northern end sits below Flagstaff Hill; the beach then sweeps south for four miles toward the mouth of Dickson Inlet.
Swimming & stinger safety
Four Mile Beach is patrolled by Surf Life Saving in season, with a netted stinger enclosure near the northern (surf club) end. Because Tropical North Queensland has marine stingers from about November to May, this is the time to swim inside the netted area and follow the flags. Outside those months the stinger risk is very low and the beach is beautiful for swimming. Always swim between the flags where lifeguards are on patrol. For seasonal planning, see our best time to visit Port Douglas guide.
The best things to do at Four Mile Beach
- Sunrise — the beach faces east, so dawn here is spectacular and completely free. Bring a coffee and watch the sky light up over the Coral Sea.
- Beach walks & jogging — the long, flat sand is perfect for a morning walk or run the length of the beach.
- Swimming & relaxing — settle in under a palm with a book, within the patrolled area.
- Stand-up paddleboarding & kayaking — calm mornings are ideal; hire gear locally.
- Horse riding on the beach — a classic Port Douglas experience, with operators offering guided beach rides.
- Kitesurfing — when the trade winds blow, the beach comes alive with kites.
- Flagstaff Hill lookout — walk up from the northern end for a sweeping view over the whole beach. See our Flagstaff Hill guide.
Quicksilver and Daintree Rainforest
A package combining a Quicksilver reef cruise with a Daintree Rainforest tour.
Facilities & parking
There’s parking near the surf club at the northern end and along the beachfront, plus grassed areas, showers and toilets near the patrolled section. Cafés and shops are a short walk away in town. Come early on peak-season mornings, when the best parking fills up.
How to get to Four Mile Beach
From the town centre it’s a five-minute walk over the small hill from Macrossan Street, or a couple of minutes by car. The northern (surf club) end is the most popular access point, with parking and the patrolled swimming area. If you’re staying beachfront, you may have direct access from your accommodation — browse where to stay in Port Douglas. For full visitor details including tide times and surf conditions, visit our Traveller Information page.
Tips for visiting
- Swim inside the stinger net between the flags, especially November–May.
- Slip, slop, slap — the tropical sun is strong; bring reef-safe sunscreen, a hat and water.
- Sunrise is the magic hour; the beach is quietest and coolest early.
- Keep an eye on tides — the beach is vast at low tide.
Frequently asked questions
Can you swim at Four Mile Beach? Yes. Four Mile Beach is patrolled and lovely for swimming. From November to May, swim inside the netted stinger enclosure and between the flags due to marine stingers. Is Four Mile Beach patrolled? Yes, Surf Life Saving patrols the northern end in season, with a netted stinger enclosure and flagged swimming area. How long is Four Mile Beach? About four miles (roughly 6.5 kilometres) of continuous sand along the Port Douglas peninsula. Where is the best place to park at Four Mile Beach? Near the surf club at the northern end, where you’ll also find the patrolled swimming area, showers and grassed picnic spots. Is Four Mile Beach good for sunrise? Absolutely — the beach faces east, making it one of the best (and free) sunrise spots in Port Douglas.
Make the most of Port Douglas
Four Mile Beach is the perfect base for a Port Douglas day — sunrise on the sand, a reef trip offshore, and dinner in town. See our full guide to things to do in Port Douglas and browse Great Barrier Reef tours to plan your reef day. Keen to get out on the water? Browse Port Douglas water activities & tours →.
Did you know? Four Mile Beach stretches for — you guessed it — four glorious miles, and its palm-fringed sand is patrolled by surf lifesavers through the season, so you can relax and simply enjoy the view.
Travel Kindly
At Hot Getaways, care is our compass — and a little kindness makes every journey better. When you visit Port Douglas, we gently ask you to:
- Protect the reef — wear reef-safe sunscreen and never touch or stand on the coral.
- Respect the wildlife — admire the birds, turtles and rainforest creatures from a distance, and take your rubbish home with you.
- Support local — choosing local operators, cafés and guides helps this beautiful town thrive.
- Honour Country — we travel on the traditional lands and sea Country of Australia’s First Peoples, with gratitude and respect to the Traditional Custodians past and present.
- Be kind to each other — a smile, a little patience and a helping hand make the day lovelier for everyone.
Small acts of care add up to something wonderful. Thank you for travelling kindly.
