Hundreds of protestors have rallied in Port Douglas against the 'industrialisation' of the Great Barrier Reef.

More than 600 protestors gathered at the Surf Life Saving Club on the Esplanade on Sunday morning, marching to Four Mile Beach armed with placards and chanting.

Police escorted the crowd along Macrossan Street to the Central Hotel.

Douglas Shire mayor, Julia Leu addressed protestors - some of whom came from as far away as Canada and New Zealand to protest.

Cr Leu said the impact of proposed dredging at Trinity Inlet could be 'devastating' for the reef and the region's tourism operators. 

"Douglas Shire has always been where the rainforest meets the reef," she said.

"The turnout certainly indicates the importance of the Great Barrier Reef. The impact of the dredging if that goes ahead that would be a massive.

"It directly threatens the basis of our local economy."

600 signatures were collected and more than $800 was raised and donated towards the campaign by the Environmental Defenders Office of North Queensland to create a legal identity for the reef.

The protest follows on from the Federal Government's decision to allow dredging and dumping at Abbott Point near Gladstone.

Organisers say another rally will be held in Cairns later in the year.

During the march, protestors stood together to spell out ‘SAVE THE REEF’ along Four Mile Beach.

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