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 It all began in 1877 when this small town was founded as a “Port Town’ following the discovery of goldfields on the Hodgkinson River by James Venture Mulligan.
Access was difficult from the goldfields to the sea and adventurers set out to discover an easy route.
A plan was made and a road was cut through the rainforest and over the mountains. Within a few months the “Bump Road” was opened.
During this time a wharf was built and stores opened, the town was then surveyed and named Port Owen. Within weeks this town was booming, having an estimated 50 tent pubs, a bakery, a general store and rough accommodation.
After a series of name changes, this vibrant little town was formally named after the then current Premier of Queensland, John Douglas………….Yes Port Douglas was born.
 The gold rush saw Port Douglas grow rapidly with a population at its peak of 12,000 people. In 1878 there were countless hotels, and more businesses moved from Cairns along with Government offices and banks. Four Mile Camp, later named Craiglie, was set up as a packers and trampsters village; farms become established growing bananas, corn, rice, sweet potato, yams and pumpkins.
This town was booming. What a success story for the Pioneers who had the foresight to establish this Trading Post in such a remote area.
The following years saw surrounding areas expand with dairy cattle farming, and experimentation with sugar. A tin mine was opened in the Herberton district and the Cobb & Co Coach Service was also established.
In 1884, unforeseeable change was looming. Local tin and gold mining communities North West of Port Douglas requested a railway connection to a shipping port.
Cairns and Geraldton (now known as Innisfail), along with Port Douglas, competed for the rail link. In 1885 the Government announced in favour of Cairns, bypassing Port Douglas. The survival of this town was now under threat.
After the rail link was completed in 1893, the gold had already started to dwindle, and the population of this once booming town started to decline dramatically.
Keen to keep the town afloat, residents turned to farming. Sugar cane became the primary produce and was shipped south from Port Douglas in vast quantities.
In 1897, Port Douglas was once again under threat when the cane crushing mill was opened in Mossman, a small town north of Port Douglas. The focus of development was moved yet again away from Port Douglas.
In 1911, a powerful tropical cyclone hammered the area, decimating crops and ruining buildings and infrastructure. Some stayed to rebuild, but by 1914 the population was only 250 people.
 Port Douglas then became a small fishing village and a minor gateway to ship sugar from Mossman Sugar Mill until 1958 when the mill closed. By 1960, the population was a mere 100.
For the next 20 years nothing of major interest happened for Port Douglas.
That was until the 1980’s hit. This forgotten little gem of the north was rediscovered and became a popular destination for Australians to spend winter months on holidays throughout the year.
 Christopher Skase played a major role in putting Port Douglas on the map when he financed the construction of the “World Class” Sheraton Mirage Resort. With the opening of the Cairns International Airport in 1984, and the resorts completion in 1988, international tourism was now becoming a major industry in the area.
Other investors also saw the potential and started pouring money into Port Douglas.
Approximately 70km north of Cairns travelling along the Captain Cook Highway which has to be the most wonderful coastal roads which runs between the mountains and the sea.
When you arrive in Port Douglas you will find there still remains the charm of a sleepy little fishing village with the sophistication of a world class holiday destination now filled with cosmopolitan café’s, selected boutiques, and accommodation, from exclusive hotels and resorts to backpackers, the population quadrupling during the tourist season. |
Cairns Trips Quicklinks: 
Approximately 70km north of Cairns you will drive to Port Douglas along the picturesque Captain Cook Highway. The road follows to coast for most of the way, occasionally venturing alongside cane fields with rugged mountain back drops, setting the mood for what to expect when you arrive in this charming seaside town. Port Douglas is one of the few places in the world that people instantly fall in love with. It is hard not to be impressed with this panoramic seaside village where you can find rusty old prawn trawlers side by side with multi million dollar cruising yachts. You will find everyone relaxed taking their day in their stride.
Port Douglas Accommodation
Port Douglas Markets 
Saint Mary’s by the Sea
There are several world class gold courses in Port Douglas. The Mirage Country Club at the Sheraton Mirage Resort, The Sea Temple Gold and Country Club and the Links Golf course at Mantra Links Resort are all beautifully designed and maintained.
