This picturesque, nondenominational chapel is worth a visit for the views alone, with a window behind the altar overlooking the Coral Sea. The chapel is available for weddings throughout the week in 90-minute blocks, with a capacity for 100 guests. Since it’s within walking distance of both downtown Port Douglas and the nearby beach, it’s also an easy and quick diversion when exploring the town.
St Mary’s by the Sea is in Port Douglas Park, overlooking the Coral Sea at the top of Macrossan Street. It’s within easy walking distance of much of downtown.
The chapel is mainly used as a wedding venue, so plan to arrive in the morning to see the building before the day’s first event.
While this historic chapel was built in 1914, its story dates back to 1877, when the Roman Catholic Vicariate was established. The first chapel, built on a hill in 1880, was destroyed by a cyclone in 1911. The new chapel was built from the scattered debris in 1914, and the structure was restored and moved to its current location in 1988.
