Port Douglas does winter differently. While the rest of the country reaches for coats and closed lazily towards sunset, Taste Port Douglas Food & Drink Festival, presented by Sheraton Grand Mirage Resort, has revealed its 2026 program highlights, inviting travellers to swap winter layers for chef-led masterclasses, waterfront celebrations and four days of flavour in one of Australia’s most beautiful destinations.

Returning 6–9 August 2026 for its 10-year anniversary, the boutique, sensory-rich festival will deliver 40+ curated events set between two World Heritage icons, the Great Barrier Reef and the Daintree Rainforest, from the water’s edge at Rex Smeal Park to resort-side Festival Village moments at Sheraton Grand Mirage.

Festival Director Spencer Patrick said the anniversary year is designed for guests who want a holiday that feels indulgent and effortless.

“People come to Taste Port Douglas for the food, but they fall in love with the feeling of the place, the warmth, the setting, and the way the weekend flows,” Patrick said. “In the middle of winter, Port Douglas is pure escape. This year’s program is packed with headline chefs, beautiful locations and those once-a-year experiences that turn a long weekend into a story you keep telling.”

The 10-year anniversary line-up brings together 23 world-class Australian and international chefs for a four-day celebration of flavour and place, including:

• Kirk Westaway (JAAN by Kirk Westaway 2*, Singapore)
• Rishi Naleendra (Cloudstreet 2*, Asia’s 50 Best Restaurants, Singapore)
• Ryan Clift (The Cave, Bali)
• Michael Wilson (Marguerite 1*, Singapore)
• Sam Aisbett (Akuna 1*, Vietnam)
• Mindy Woods (Karkalla, NSW)
• Manu Feildel
• Colin Fassnidge
• Ben Williamson (Agnes, Brisbane)
• Jerry Mai

Full line-up and chef bios:
https://www.tasteportdouglas.com.au/chef-line-up

Port Douglas, Tropical North Queensland, is a destination known for relaxed luxury, reef-to-rainforest adventures and winter weather made for long lunches. In August, expect warm, dry days and cool evenings. Pack light layers for dinner, a hat and sunscreen for daytime events, and comfortable shoes for moving between venues. Leave time to plan beyond the plate, with the reef, rainforest and everything in between right on your doorstep.

Tickets and additional program information are available at:
https://www.tasteportdouglas.com.au

2026 PROGRAM HIGHLIGHTS

Official Festival Launch Party presented by Olsson’s Salt (6 August)

A must-do opening night highlight, the Official Festival Launch Party presented by Olsson’s Salt welcomes guests to the Lexus Culinary Pavilion at Rex Smeal Park for a sunset celebration that sets the tone for the long weekend ahead.

Expect a first taste of the 10-year anniversary program, with food by Belinda Tuckwell of Sheraton Grand Mirage Resort Port Douglas, bars hosted by festival partners, and live music by Viva Mossvegas serving up blues, rock and boogie covers.

Event page:
https://www.tasteportdouglas.com.au/official-festival-launch-party-presented-by-olssons-salt

Festival Village (8–9 August)

The beating heart of Taste Port Douglas returns to Sheraton Grand Mirage Resort Port Douglas across two days, with chef demonstrations, tastings, premium producer pop-ups and live entertainment.

Guests can enjoy:

• Eight live cooking demonstrations per day
• Moffat Main Stage chef presentations
• 20+ pop-up restaurants and bars
• Live music
• Roving entertainment

Food highlights

• POKEA Port Douglas
• KOI Restaurant
• Lagoon House Restaurant
• Preston Fresh Seafood
• Vitalia’s Restaurant with APE Pizza Truck
• Shaw + Smith x Wonderbaos
• Daintree Saltwater Barramundi

Beverage highlights

• Champagne Pol Roger
• Tom Foolery (Barossa)
• Vasse Felix (Margaret River)
• Jim Barry (Clare Valley)
• Brokenwood (Hunter Valley)
• Estrella Damm Mediterranean Lager
• Solara wines
• Wolf Lane Distillery
• Mt Uncle Distillery

Event page:
https://www.tasteportdouglas.com.au/festival-village

Lexus Long Lunch Series (7–8 August)

One of the festival’s signature experiences, bringing 550 guests together for premium outdoor dining.

Featuring:

• Colin Fassnidge
• Sam Aisbett
• Massimo Mele
• DJ Hayley Maree
• Local DJs

Date: Friday 7 August & Saturday 8 August
Time: 12:00pm–3:00pm AEST

Location:
The Lexus Culinary Pavilion
Rex Smeal Park
Wharf Street, Port Douglas

Tickets: Final release on sale now
Price: $319 per person

Event page:
https://www.tasteportdouglas.com.au/lexus-australia-long-lunch-series

Taste Port Douglas Takeover Series (7–9 August)

Restaurant takeovers and chef dinners across Port Douglas.

Highlights

Jungle Fowl x Stanley (Fri 7 Aug)

An intimate long lunch featuring Ben Wallace and Louis Tikaram.

The Red Book Collective (Sat 8 Aug)

A Michelin-led event featuring:

• Rishi Naleendra
• Sam Aisbett
• Kirk Westaway
• Michael Wilson

Night of Fire (Sat 8 Aug)

An immersive rainforest dining experience featuring:

• Ben Williamson
• Mindy Woods
• Jake Nicolson
• Ryan Fitzpatrick

Event page:
https://www.tasteportdouglas.com.au/takeover-series

Moffat Masterclass Series (6–9 August)

Hands-on chef masterclasses for groups of 30 guests maximum.

Highlights include:

Precision and Spice: Fish Curry by Rishi Naleendra (Fri 7 Aug)

A rare opportunity to learn from a two Michelin-starred chef.

Stories of Country: Native Food Experience with Mindy Woods (Thu 6 Aug)

Native seafood curry paired with Indigenous-owned Munda Wines.

Curds and Grains: Cheese and Risotto Making (Fri 7 Aug)

Led by Giuseppe Minoia and Luca Ciano.

Event page:
https://www.tasteportdouglas.com.au/masterclasses

Sunrise Sessions at Rex Smeal Park (8 August)

A new event combining:

• Yoga
• Feel-good movement
• Live DJs
• Morning bites
• Waterfront atmosphere

Date: Saturday 8 August

Time: 6:00am–8:00am AEST

Location:
The Lexus Culinary Pavilion
Rex Smeal Park

Tickets

• Adults: $20
• Ages 12–18: $10
• Under 12: Free

Event page:
https://www.tasteportdouglas.com.au/sunrise-session-sober-rave