Mowbray by the Sea
by the TopOfHotel team
Mowbray gives you a 2-bedroom, 2-bathroom apartment over 100 sq m plus a 25-meter heated pool, which is why bigger groups land here.
Mowbray gives you a 2-bedroom, 2-bathroom apartment over 100 sq m plus a 25-meter heated pool, which is why bigger groups land here.
In-Depth Review
Rooms and decor
Mowbray by the Sea sits on Garrick Street at the south end of Port Douglas, near Four Mile Beach. There are no studios or one-bedrooms in the building — every unit is a full 2-bedroom, 2-bathroom apartment over 100 sq m, with a wide living room, a six-seat dining table, a full kitchen with a large fridge and dishwasher, an in-unit washer-dryer, and a long private balcony. Reviewers describe it as closer to renting an Australian condo than booking a hotel room.
Food and amenities
There is no restaurant on site, so meals come from the kitchen or from town. The standout is the 25-meter heated pool, which matters in the wet season (Nov-Apr) when nights are humid but not warm enough for a cold plunge — and it is long enough for actual laps, not just a soak. A shared BBQ area sits in a large tropical garden with wooden picnic tables and sun loungers, and there is free Wi-Fi throughout.
Location and getting there
The walk to Four Mile Beach runs about 5 minutes through Anzac Park, and Macrossan Street — the main strip of restaurants and cafes — is roughly 400 m away. The property has free secure underground parking, which is worth having in a town where cars left on the street can be a target.
Things to know before booking
The single biggest catch is the rate: from about $202 a night, it is steep for a couple and only really makes sense once you split it across 4-6 people. There is no on-site restaurant, so plan to cook or walk out. And because it is a small property, it fills fast — book two to three months ahead for the dry season.
Our take
Mowbray suits a family of four to six or a group of friends who want space — two bedrooms, two bathrooms and a heated pool — at a per-head price that beats booking two or three hotel doubles. The 9.2 score from real guests, the highest among Port Douglas apartments, backs that up.
Score Breakdown
Assessed by our editorial team from data and real guest reviews
The Honest Verdict — pros & what to know
- A 4-star apartment hotel where every unit is a large 2-bedroom, 2-bathroom apartment — no studios or one-beds.
- Over 100 sq m of space with a full kitchen, a separate living room and an in-unit washer-dryer, so it feels more like renting a condo than a hotel room.
- A 25-meter heated pool that is long enough for actual laps and works year-round, including humid wet-season nights.
- Free secure underground parking, which matters in a tourist town where street parking can be a target.
- A Trip.com score of 9.2 — the highest among Port Douglas apartments, with Agoda close behind at 9.1.
- The starting rate of about $202 a night is high for a couple; the math only works once you split it across 4-6 people.
- There is no restaurant on site, so you either walk into town or cook in the apartment kitchen.
- It is a small property that fills fast, so book two to three months ahead for the dry season.
Who It’s For
Match Score by travel style
Amenities
Location & Nearby Spots
Things to do near Port Douglas
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Insider Tips
- Book a single 2-bedroom unit for a group of 4-6 — split the rate and it comes in cheaper than two hotel doubles.
- Use the heated pool in the evening after a day out on the reef; it is the nicest time to swim it.
- Reserve two to three months ahead for the dry season, since this place sells out quickly.