Port Douglas, Queensland

] 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.

Government

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

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 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 in 1960 the town, by then little more than a fishing village, had a population of 100.

In the mid-1980s, 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.

ignificant 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 at the Salsa Bar and Grill, a local restaurant, when he was advised of the 9/11 attacks. He subsequently returned to the United States the following day [ [http://transcripts.cnn.com/TRANSCRIPTS/0209/03/lkl.00.html Interview With Bill Clinton, Bob Dole, Andrew McKelvey and Dan Rather September 3, 2002 CNN] ] [ [ [http://www.theworldisnotflat.com/blog/halans/salsa-bar-grill-port-douglas/queensland Theworldisnotflat.com] ] .

The town has enjoyed a steady influx of full-time residents since its 'rebirth', with most newcomers arriving from Australia's south, namely Victoria and Tasmania. Fact|date=February 2007

On 4 September, 2006, entertainer a.k.a. "Crocodile Hunter" Steve Irwin died at Batt Reef, off Port Douglas, after a stingray barb went through his chest into his heart while Irwin and his crew were filming a documentary called "The Ocean's Deadliest". [Jason Staines [http://www.theage.com.au/news/national/crocodile-man-steve-irwin-dies/2006/09/04/1157222051494.html?from=rss Crocodile man, Steve Irwin, dies] , "The Age", September 4, 2006] Irwin was filmed snorkelling directly above the stingray when it lashed him with its tail, embedding its poisonous barb. Irwin died almost immediately. This event was widely reported both in Australia and overseas. [ [http://www.theage.com.au/articles/2006/09/06/1157222201280.html Death footage 'will never see the light of day'] , The Age, September 7, 2006]

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. Numerous companies run daily trips from the marina to the outer reef and the Low Isles for scuba diving and snorkelling. Port Douglas 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.

References

External links