Port Douglas - Brief History

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Port Douglas Australia

Port Douglas Australia History in brief

Port DouglasThis vibrant small town was founded in 1877 as the port town for the Hodgkinson River Goldfields. After a series of names such as  as Terrigal, Island Point, Port Owen and Salisbury it was settled with the name Port Douglas. Named in honour of former Queensland premier John Douglas.

Gold fever bought the population to 12000. The industry grew. Thriving on tin, silver, sugarcane and logging for cedar trees. During this time a total of 27 hotels were established. 

After the gold dwindled and the completion of the Cairns/Mareeba railway in 1893, this once booming town started to loose its people. The bad luck continued through to 1911, when a severe cyclone devastated much of the town. The industry became not much more than a fishing village and a gateway to ship sugar from the Mossman Central Mill until 1958. By 1960 this once booming town ended up with a population of about 100 people.

Twenty years later, Port Douglas started to boom again. This once forgotten little town became one of Australia's best kept secrets. The town now boasts a population of around 4000. A booming tourist industry, bringing visitors from all over the globe. Port Douglas is 68km from Cairns.

 If you are travelling by road you will have a spectacular view of the ocean for most of the way. For those who don't wish to drive themselves, Coach transfers and tour operators leave from Cairns Daily on a regular basis. Port Douglas has much to see and do. The Marina, Fishing, diving, reef tours to the Low isles, paragliding, sporting activities, rainforest tours, galleries, the list goes on.

For a small town this place has quite a lot of services including, fantastic restaurants and cafe's, Banks, Post Office, Doctors, Dentists, Lawyers, mechanics, news agents, book stores, super markets, shops, boutiques and more. Dine at some of the best restaurants and eateries in Queensland. 

Visit Port Douglas soon.

 

PORT DOUGLAS ACCOMMODATION
Holiday Accommodation,   Holiday Rentals in Port Douglas Australia

Accommodation Port Douglas - Great Barrier Reef - Queensland - Australia - Port Douglas

 

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