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One of the best ways to get acquainted with the charming town of Port Douglas is on a leisurely stroll along its picturesque and historic streets. Although the town was established in 1877 after the discovery of gold at nearby Hodgkinson River, this once sleepy village dates back thousands of years when the Kuku Yalanji people, Australia's indigenous inhabitants, hunted and fished here. The gold rush boom didn't last long. A railroad from Cairns to Kuranda diverted visitors and a cyclone in 1911 demolished all but a few buildings. But as the gateway to Daintree National Park and a host of other outdoor activities, the outside world has rediscovered this serene gem.

As you make your way along Port Douglas's streets, your guide will regale you with tales of history, culture, reef and rainforest information and flora and fauna facts.

Of all the sights you'll see, St. Mary's By The Sea may be the most bucolic. This lovely 100-year-old church overlooks the Coral Sea and is a popular site for weddings. Destroyed in the 1911 cyclone, the beautiful wooden church was lovingly restored and placed near the waterfront. The views from inside are just as beautiful as the outside: the delicate stained glass windows look out onto the World Heritage Great Barrier Reef and Daintree Rainforest.

Your walk continues on to the residences of Millionaire's Row, the area's most valued real estate. Situated on Port Douglas Hill, the highest point in town, this prime stretch of land is, indeed, where many of Australia's wealthy like to live and play. The phenomenal views of the mountains of the Great Dividing Range and Coral Sea could be a reason why one property sold for over $14 million!

Millionaire's Row stands in stark contrast to the quaint historic buildings that you'll see next. From the 1870s and 1880s about 10,000 people occupied Port Douglas through the boom period of North Australia's original gold rush. Only seven buildings remain from that period but serve as reminders of a time when fortune hunters came here seeking wealth.

Did you know that 4 Mile Beach is actually a little over one mile long? Then, how did it get its name? This wide expanse of tropical paradise, adorned with wispy palms and coconut trees, got its name in the late 19th century. The name actually refers to the distance the miners had to walk to get to the first stopping point on their way up to the goldfields.

At the end of your fascinating walk, you'll return to the pier with a better understanding and appreciation for this delightful town.