The Wet Season Apartment. ( Port Douglas).

Well what a busy time we are having. We are both still working. Steve had a few arguments at work (no surprise there) however from that he got better shift times, managed to miss a week of nights, got extra days off and a new truck!!!!! We had a day out last Tuesday when Steve was home, we went into the Daintree and up to the station, stunning scenery. This Tuesday we have moved to a two bedroomed unit for the wet season.

History of Port Douglas.

The Booms & declines of Port Douglas –

Ø Gold was discovered on the Hodgkinson River in 1876, the rush was on to find a Port for its dispatch. In 1877 Christie Palmerston carved the bump track down to the coast and Port Douglas was quickly settled by merchants. In November of 1877, colonial treasurer the Hon. J.R. Dickson & Queensland Parliamentarian John Macrossen visited & confirmed that the town was to be named after the currant premier of QLD, John Douglas. The inlet was to be called Dickson inlet. Government offices & banks were established, a court house and the light house on Low Island was erected.

Ø In 1882 there were 14 hotels in the town. It was a boom period, Port Douglas over took Cairns as the main port for gold & tin mining fields.

Ø Built in 1885, the rail link from the Tablelands was joined in Cairns & development in Port Douglas soon declined.

Ø Tick fever ravaged the cattle herds & farmers turned to Sugar Cane, with the first crush at Mossman Mill in 1897. A small rail line was built from the mill to Port Douglas Wharf in 1900, for sugar, freight & passengers. The population grew to 331 with four pubs. The export of sugar revived the port.

Ø During the massive cyclone of 1911, sixteen inches of rain fell within 24 hours. Two people were killed, many house damaged, some never to be rebuilt.

Ø In 1920 the business centre was moving to Mossman to be near the Mill. The highway between Cairns & Cook town was opened in 1933 & Port Douglas was by passed.

Ø The last sugar was railed to the Wharf in Port Douglas in 1958. After this the Cane was trucked to Cairns. Port Douglas reverted to a sleepy fishing village. In 1960 the population was 100.

Ø Tourist began to discover the quiet paradise in the 1990’s. Jim & Jo Wallace started Quick Silver tours to the Outer Barrier Reef in 1982.

Ø In 1984 the new Cairns International Airport brought tourist from around the world, to the re-awaken Port Douglas. Christopher Skase built the five star Sheraton Mirage Resort on four mile beach in 1988 & Port Douglas experienced another boom. Port has become a popular destination for Australians & International visitors, keen to visit the GBR & the Daintree World heritage Rain forest. Property prices are booming and many people are moving here to live in tropic bliss!!