St Mary’s by the Sea

“No air conditioning, no stained glass, no grand organ. Just open walls, a sea breeze carrying the scent of frangipani, and the sound of the reef shimmering somewhere beyond the palms. Some churches feel sacred because of their age. This one earns it with its view.”

St Mary’s by the Sea — Port Douglas’s Most Beloved Chapel

St Mary’s by the Sea is a small, timber non-denominational chapel on Dixie Street, a short walk from the Port Douglas beachfront. Built in 1911, it’s one of the oldest surviving buildings in town — and one of the most photographed. The chapel is open on the sides to let in the tropical breeze, with views through the palms toward the Coral Sea. Its simplicity is what makes it extraordinary. Couples come from around Australia and the world to marry here, drawn by the combination of history, natural beauty and the particular atmosphere that only a century-old timber chapel in the tropics can produce.

A History of Quiet Devotion

The chapel was originally built by the Augustinian Fathers to serve Port Douglas’s Catholic community, though it has since become a beloved community and heritage space open to all. Over the decades it has hosted generations of local families for baptisms, weddings and memorial services. It was relocated to its current site in 1991 after briefly being at risk of demolition, and is now listed on the Queensland Heritage Register. That relocation, driven by community advocacy, speaks to how deeply locals feel about this modest little building.

Weddings at St Mary’s

St Mary’s by the Sea has become one of Australia’s most sought-after wedding venues. The setting — open-air, heritage timber, surrounded by tropical gardens and backed by the sound of the sea — is difficult to replicate. Couples typically combine the chapel ceremony with receptions at the marina, nearby resorts or in the Daintree rainforest. If you’re planning a wedding in Port Douglas, it’s worth contacting the chapel directly about availability. For the rest of us, simply visiting on a quiet morning is its own kind of ceremony.

Plan Your Visit

St Mary’s by the Sea is located on Dixie Street, a short walk from Four Mile Beach and Macrossan Street. The chapel is generally open to visitors during daylight hours when not in use for services or private functions. Admission is free. For more on Port Douglas’s heritage and character, visit our Port Douglas Attractions guide or our Port Douglas History page. A Hot Getaways destination. Where Care is Our Compass.