Live music in Port Douglas

The Daintree Rainforest and the Great Barrier Reef sit practically on the doorstep here, which means tourists arrive year-round with money in their pockets and time on their hands. That feeds a live music scene that punches well above its weight for a town this size. You'll find everything from laid-back tropical covers bands in beachfront bars to proper touring acts passing through on their way around the circuit. The warm weather means outdoor gigs are practically a given, and there's something about a Port Douglas evening – salt air, palm trees overhead – that just works with live music.

The town's built on hospitality, so venues tend to treat musicians and audiences right. Whether you're after reggae, rock, or something more experimental, there's usually something happening on weekends and through the busy tourist season. Check what's on now and you might just catch a band that flew up from Brisbane, or a local outfit that's been perfecting their sound in these Tropical North pubs for years.