This
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.
