Port Douglas, Queensland

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Port Douglas
Queensland

Four Mile Beach

Population:

1695 (2001 Census)

Postcode:

4877

Elevation:

4 m

Location:

66 km from Cairns
1767 km from Brisbane
2473 km from Sydney

LGA:

Douglas Shire Council

State District:

Cook

Federal Division:

Leichhardt

Mean Max Temp	Mean Min Temp	Rainfall
27.9 °C ^{82 °F}	20.6 °C ^{69 °F}	2013.2 mm ^{79.3 in}

Port Douglas is town in Far North Queensland, Australia, approximately 80km north of Cairns. Its population was 4000 residents in 2001 (2001 Australian Census)^{[citation needed]}. The town's population can often quadruple, however, with the influx of tourists during the peak tourism season May-September. The town is named in honour of former Premier of Queensland, John Douglas. Port Douglas developed quickly based on the mining industry, other parts of the area were established with timber cutting occurring in the area surrounding the Daintree River and with settlement starting to occur on lots around the Mossman River by 1880.

Previous names for the town included Terrigal, Island Point, Port Owen and Salisbury. The town is situated adjacent to two World Heritage areas, the Great Barrier Reef and the Daintree Rainforest.

1 Government
2 Township History
3 Significant events, visitors and residents
4 Recreation
5 References

[edit] Government

The town is within the Federal electorate of Leichhardt, and within the State electorate of Cook.

[edit] Township History

The Port Douglas township was established in 1877 after the discovery of gold at Hodgkinson River by James Venture Mulligan. It grew quickly, and at its peak Port Douglas had a population of 12,000 people and 27 hotels. With the construction of the Mulligan Highway it serviced towns as far away as Herberton.

When the Kuranda Railway from Cairns to Kuranda was completed in 1891, the importance of Port Douglas dwindled along with its population. A cyclone in 1911 which demolished all but two buildings in the town also had a significant impact. At its nadir in 1960 the town, by then little more than a fishing village, had a population of 100.

In the mid-1980's, tourism boomed in the region with the aid of the late Christopher Skase, an investor who financed the construction of the world-class Sheraton Mirage Port Douglas.

[edit] Significant events, visitors and residents

On the July 5, 1943, a RAAF Vultee Vengeance (Serial Number A27-217) crash landed on the beach near Port Douglas.

In November 1996 United States President Bill Clinton and the First Lady chose the town as their only vacation stop on their historic visit to Australia. When dining at a local restaurant they witnessed a couple's wedding certificate who had just got married the same day. On a return visit on September 11, 2001, the then ex President was again dining in a local restaurant, at which he signed and dated a plate.

The town has also enjoyed a steady influx of full time residents since its 'rebirth', with most newcomers arriving from Australia's south, namely Victoria and Tasmania^{[citation needed]}.

On 4 September 2006, entertainer and "Crocodile Hunter" Steve Irwin died at Batt Reef, off Port Douglas, after a stingray barb went through his chest into his heart whilst Irwin and his crew were filming a documentary called "The Ocean's Deadliest"^[1]. Irwin was filmed snorkelling directly above the stingray when it lashed him with its its tail, embedding its poisonous barb. Irwin died almost immediately. This event was widely reported both in Australia and overseas^[2].

[edit] Recreation

Kitesurfing is popular at the southern end of Four Mile Beach, particularly during the Winter months when trade winds blow from the South.

Port Douglas is near the Great Barrier Reef, and there are numerous companies that run daily reef trips for scuba diving and snorkelling from the marina. It is also well known for its many restaurants, golf courses, and five star resorts.

A number of private homes are available for rental year round; from simple budget style accommodation to the ultimate in luxury living.