Four Mile Beach

Four Mile Beach (Port Douglas) is one of the best known and most popular beaches of northern Australia. What was a sleepy coastal town in the 1970’s became an international tourist destination by the late 1980’s. Three major resorts back the beach, together with golf courses and a marina in the town. The beach runs due south for 4 km and is also known as Four Mile Beach. It begins at the base of prominent, 70 m high Island Point and ends amongst the rocks, reefs and mangroves of the Mowbray River mouth. For the most part the beach is very low, flat, and at low tide up to 200 m wide. The sand flats widen toward the river mouth.

The northern end of the beach, just 1 km from the town centre, is the most accessible and most popular. It is also the site of the Port Douglas Surf Life Saving Club, founded in 1984, that patrols the beach as well as maintaining a stinger enclosure. Down the beach is the large Mirage Resort which provides three beach access tracks. Further access tracks are available through the residential development along the southern half of the beach, including one at the sailing club.

Swimming is generally better at high tide, when it's deeper and not such a long walk to the water. Rips are rare, except during strong Trade winds and accompanying waves. During the stinger season a net enclosure is located in front of the surf lifesaving club. Fishing is flat off the beach and most fishers use the northern headland, the town jetties or head offshore in a boat.

Swimming is generally better at high tide, when it's deeper and not such a long walk to the water. Rips are rare, except during strong Trade winds and accompanying waves. During the stinger season a net enclosure is located in front of the surf lifesaving club. Fishing is flat off the beach and most fishers use the northern headland, the town jetties or head offshore in a boat.