History of Port Douglas
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History of Port Douglas
We bet that Port Douglas is already on your mind. But, before you step into this beautiful land, take a quick look into the fascinating history of Port Douglas so that when you visit this land, you can rely on your knowledge and our information.
In 1876, explorer James Mulligan discovered goldfields on the Hodgkinson River in central Far North Queensland. Adventurers soon explored a small protected port which seemed ideal for shipping goods and materials. After a series of names like Island Point, Terrigal, Port Owen and Salisbury, the port was finally named Port Douglas.
People started taking it seriously after the great gold rush and soon the population grew to 12000. Industries were established booming on tin, silver, sugarcane and logging for cedar trees. The dray teams and stage coaches that served the goldfields, made their way from the Port, down the beach to the ‘Four Mile' mark which is now called Craiglee and continued over ‘The Bump' onto the goldfields. Several hotels were built to cater to the increasing influx of entrepreneurs, traders and workmen.
The legendary gold rush ebbed away bringing in a ominous phase in the history of Port Douglas. After the completion of the Cairns-Mareeba railway in 1893, this once-flourishing town started to loose its attraction. The bad patch continued till 1911 when a cyclone wrecked havoc on the town. The industry reduced to the status of a mere 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.
But, things changed soon. The early 1980's ushered in a new era for Port Douglas. This little town, lost into oblivion, rose from its ashes to become Australia's hot new destination to spend the winter months. Visiting the Daintree Rainforest and the Great Barrier Reef soon caught the fancy of the footloose travelers.
Today the town boasts a population of around 4000 and its booming tourist industry brings visitors from across the world. If you find the history interesting enough, then visit the land to know more and explore better. Here's an open invitation for you.| Hotels in Port Douglas | |
| Hotel Meridian at Port Douglas | Mantra on the Inlet |
| Hotel Oaks Lagoons | Club Tropical |
| Hotel BW Lazy Lizard Motor Inn | Hotel Central Plaza |
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