Taste Port Douglas celebrates 10 years of world-class flavour in the tropics
30+ events, new sunrise and wellness experiences, 20+ chefs and a headline Michelin-star line-up, with a major global talent focus for the anniversary year.
Taste Port Douglas, presented by Sheraton Grand Mirage Resort Port Douglas, will return to Tropical North Queensland from 6–9 August 2026, marking a 10-year anniversary for the region’s boutique, sensory-rich food and drink festival.
Set between two World Heritage-listed icons, the Great Barrier Reef and the Daintree Rainforest, Taste Port Douglas will once again bring together acclaimed Australian culinary talent, premium producers and a program of unforgettable experiences across Port Douglas and the wider region.
In 2026, the festival will deliver a curated program of 30+ events and welcome more than 20 chefs, including a strong focus on introducing more international, top-tier talent to the Taste Port Douglas kitchens for the anniversary year.
The festival will welcome a headline group of international Michelin-star chefs, with five globally recognised names set to join the line-up. Full details of the international talent, along with select event announcements, will be revealed in stages.
Co-founder Spencer Patrick said the 10-year milestone would be celebrated with the festival’s signature warmth, polish and sense of place.
“Ten years in, Taste Port Douglas is still about the same thing it has always been about, bringing people together through extraordinary food in an extraordinary destination,” Patrick said.
“This anniversary year will feel like a true tropical escape for the senses, with world-class talent, more beautiful locations, and a program designed to surprise and delight. We cannot wait to share what’s coming.”
A four-day program of signature events, masterclasses and destination experiences
Across four days, Taste Port Douglas 2026 will feature a curated program spanning:
- Festival Village at Sheraton Grand Mirage Resort Port Douglas, the bustling hub of the festival with chef demonstrations, producer showcases, tastings and entertainment
- Intimate masterclasses with leading chefs and producers, designed for small groups and hands-on learning
- Long lunch celebrations in iconic outdoor locations, pairing premium beverages with standout menus and live entertainment
- Chef series dinners and restaurant takeovers across Port Douglas, spotlighting local venues alongside visiting talent
- After-dark events that lean into the festival’s tropical setting, with music, atmosphere and immersive dining
New inclusions and anniversary-only moments
To celebrate the 10-year anniversary, the 2026 program will introduce new event concepts and new locations, designed to showcase the best of Port Douglas and the surrounding region.
Sunrise Sessions at Rex Smeal Park
New for 2026, Sunrise Sessions will lean into Queensland’s growing ‘AM culture’, inviting guests to salute the sun at iconic Rex Smeal Park.
Positioned as a refined, feel-good start to the day, Sunrise Sessions is set to become a new signature moment for the festival, where music, movement and mindful bites meet the beauty of Port Douglas at first light.
With an early-morning DJ set by ARIA Club Chart DJ Hayley Maree, plus local artists, bites from beloved local breakfast haunts, local coffee and a range of alcohol-free beverages, Sunrise Sessions will embrace the feel-good energy of the coffee rave movement, Port Douglas style.
Guests can choose their own sunrise ritual, whether it’s a morning dance session, or yoga in the tropics.
Wellness experiences with a Taste twist
The anniversary program will also expand into wellness, with masterclasses focused on cooking, eating and moving with mindfulness, designed to complement the festival’s signature food-first experiences.
Rex Smeal Park returns as a hero location
A favourite festival backdrop, Rex Smeal Park will also return as an integral location for numerous core events, including the Long Lunch series, celebrating one of the town’s most sought-after hero experiences and its breathtaking waterfront setting.
Further announcements, including the first wave of events and talent, will be released soon.
Ticketing and announcements
Additional program and talent announcements will be available from Thursday, 26 March 2026. Taste Port Douglas Early Bird tickets will be available to subscribers from Friday, 27 March 2026.
For updates, guests are invited to sign up at tasteportdouglas.com.au.
Proudly supported by leading partners
Taste Port Douglas is proudly presented by Sheraton Grand Mirage Resort Port Douglas, with the festival supported by a network of principal and major partners who help bring the program to life.
Presenting Partner
- Sheraton Grand Mirage Resort Port Douglas
Principal Partners
- Estrella Damm
- Singapore Airlines
- Tourism and Events Queensland / Queensland Government
- Moffat Australia
- Lexus Australia
Major Partners
- Porkstar, Industry Partner
- Olsson’s Salt, Premium Produce Partner
- Vannella Cheese, Premium Produce Partner
- Worktones, Uniform Partner
- Simon George & Sons, Fresh Produce Partner
- Douglas Shire Council, Festival LGA
- Exemplar Coaches & Limousines, Transport Partner
About Taste Port Douglas
Taste Port Douglas is Australia’s premier tropical food and drink festival, celebrating the best of Australia’s food culture in Tropical North Queensland through a boutique, sensory-rich program of curated dining events, masterclasses and experiences.
Held in Port Douglas, the festival brings together world-class Australian and International chefs, passionate producers and hospitality leaders for an intimate celebration of flavour, friendship and place, set between the Great Barrier Reef and the Daintree Rainforest.
Taste Port Douglas 2026 takes place 6–9 August 2026 in Port Douglas, Queensland.
More information: tasteportdouglas.com.au | @tasteportdouglas
About Sheraton Grand Mirage Resort Port Douglas
Set on the edge of iconic Four Mile Beach, Sheraton Grand Mirage Resort Port Douglas is a tropical beachfront resort and the presenting partner of Taste Port Douglas.
With expansive lagoon pools, palm-lined gardens and a relaxed luxury atmosphere, Sheraton Grand Mirage Resort Port Douglas offers an ideal base for festival guests to stay, savour and explore the region.
Address: 168-190 Port Douglas Road, Port Douglas, QLD 4877
More information: Sheraton Grand Mirage Resort | @sheratongrandportdouglas
