Monsoon season is in full swing, with evening thunderstorms getting darker and heavier in March. The torrential rainfall—called “curtain rain” by locals—brings out the incredible tropical splendor of the rainforest. Meanwhile, the Coral Sea sits calm and still on sunny, windless days. The reef is teeming with fish, including schools of brightly colored clownfish.

Hiking in the rain is a favorite activity in these parts. Join the locals puddle-stomping along the bush trails past streams and rivers at full force. You’ll get soaked, so waterproof your belongings.

May brings the town's biggest fair: the Port Douglas Carnivale. That’s a weekend bonanza featuring local foods and wines, live performances, and parades under the swaying palms of Port Douglas.

There’s so much to savour in winter, the middle of what locals more commonly refer to as the dry season. Balmy temperatures, clear skies, and fresh breezes make this prime beach season. This is one of the most popular times to visit the Great Barrier Reef, so remember to book your lodgings several months in advance.

Catch singing humpbacks or dancing minkes on their annual migration north while aboard a sailboat in the Great Barrier Reef. Don’t forget to drop by Low Isles, a sandy cay surrounded by the pristine turquoise waters of the Coral Sea.

Snorkeling and diving are especially popular because calm waters means great visibility for sweetlips and other colorfully named fish.

Weekends are made for cafe hops and bar crawls along the seaside Macrossan Street, where the local Sunday Market awaits. It’s a treasure trove of handcrafted jewellery, tropical souvenirs, and local delicacies.

Beach season continues into spring, when there are still plenty of sunny days. Watch out for occasional cloudbursts as the wet season approaches in November.

One of nature’s most awesome displays, coral spawning looks like an “underwater snowstorm.” When conditions are perfect, coral releases clouds of eggs that slowly float to the surface to be fertilized. It starts in October and extends to November or sometimes December.

Dangerous jellyfish haven’t made an appearance yet, making spring the safest time to go for a dip. Lifeguards patrol the beaches that are clearly marked with distinctive red-over-yellow flags.

Cool days are perfect for hikes through nearby Daintree Rainforest, where the thick tropical forests extend all the way to the water’s edge. Barron Falls Lookout Track and Mt Sorrow Ridge Walk are great places to start.