Port Douglas facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Port DouglasQueensland |
|||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Four Mile Beach
|
|||||||||||||||
 Port Douglas
Location in Queensland
|
|||||||||||||||
| Population | 3,650 (2021 census) | ||||||||||||||
| • Density | 202.8/km2 (525/sq mi) | ||||||||||||||
| Postcode(s) | 4877 | ||||||||||||||
| Elevation | 4 m (13 ft) | ||||||||||||||
| Area | 18.0 km2 (6.9 sq mi) | ||||||||||||||
| Time zone | AEST (UTC+10:00) | ||||||||||||||
| Location |
|
||||||||||||||
| LGA(s) | Shire of Douglas | ||||||||||||||
| County | Solander | ||||||||||||||
| State electorate(s) | Cook | ||||||||||||||
| Federal Division(s) | Leichhardt | ||||||||||||||
|
|||||||||||||||
|
|||||||||||||||
Port Douglas is a beautiful coastal town in Queensland, Australia. It is about 60 kilometers (37 miles) north of a larger city called Cairns.
In 2021, about 3,650 people lived in Port Douglas. However, this number can often double! Many tourists visit the town, especially from May to September.
The town got its name from John Douglas, who was once a leader of Queensland. Port Douglas grew quickly because of gold mining. People also started cutting timber near the Daintree River and settling near the Mossman River by 1880.
Before it was called Port Douglas, the town had other names like Terrigal, Island Point, Port Owen, and Salisbury. It is special because it is close to two World Heritage areas: the amazing Great Barrier Reef and the ancient Daintree Rainforest.
Australian Traveller magazine even listed Port Douglas as one of the top towns in Australia!
Contents
Discovering Port Douglas: A Look at Its Past
Port Douglas was officially started in 1877. This happened after James Venture Mulligan found gold at the Hodgkinson River. The town's Post Office opened on September 1, 1877.
How Gold Mining Shaped the Town
Port Douglas grew very fast. At its busiest, it had about 12,000 people and 27 hotels! It served as an important hub for towns far away, like Herberton, thanks to the Mulligan Highway.
Education and Early Challenges
The Port Douglas State School first opened on November 11, 1879. It closed in 1962 but then reopened on January 23, 1989.
When the Kuranda Railway was finished in 1891, connecting Cairns to Kuranda, Port Douglas became less important. Its population also dropped.
Natural Disasters and Rebuilding Efforts
In 1911, a powerful cyclone hit the town. It destroyed or badly damaged almost all buildings. Only seven homes and four businesses were left standing. Important buildings like the Wharf, the Courthouse, and the Catholic church had to be rebuilt. A Chinese temple was not rebuilt.
Remembering History: War Memorial
The Port Douglas War Memorial was revealed on February 10, 1923. Mrs Tresize led the ceremony.
A Plane Crash on the Beach
On July 5, 1943, a RAAF Vultee Vengeance plane had to make an emergency landing on the beach near Port Douglas.
Tourism Boom and Famous Visitors
In the late 1980s, tourism grew a lot. This happened after an investor named Christopher Skase helped build the Sheraton Mirage Port Douglas Resort.
In November 1996, United States President Bill Clinton and First Lady Hillary Clinton visited Australia. They chose Port Douglas as their only holiday stop. While eating at a local restaurant, they even saw a couple's wedding certificate!
Bill Clinton returned to Port Douglas on September 11, 2001. He was dining at a restaurant when he heard about the September 11 attacks. He flew back to the United States the next day.
Remembering Steve Irwin
On September 4, 2006, the famous television personality and conservationist Steve Irwin passed away. This happened at Batt Reef, near Port Douglas. A stingray barb pierced his chest while he was filming a documentary. He was snorkeling directly above the stingray when it struck him. This sad event was reported all over the world.
Local Government Changes
Port Douglas has always been part of the Shire of Douglas local government area. However, between 2008 and 2013, it was part of the Cairns Region. This change was later reversed after local residents voted.
A Special Solar Eclipse
Port Douglas was a popular place to watch the solar eclipse on November 14, 2012. Many people traveled there to see this amazing event at 6:38 AM local time.
Who Lives in Port Douglas?
In 2011, Port Douglas had 3,205 residents. By 2016, the population grew to 3,504 people.
The most recent count in 2021 showed 3,650 people living in Port Douglas. About 51.9% of these people were born in Australia. The next largest groups were from England (6.7%) and New Zealand (4.1%). Most people (69.9%) spoke only English at home. When asked about religion, 46.7% said they had no religion.
Important Historical Places in Port Douglas
Port Douglas has several places that are protected because of their history. These "heritage-listed" sites include:
- FDA Carstens Memorial, located on Macrossan Street.
- St Mary's by the Sea, found on Wharf Street.
- Port Douglas Wharf, at 6 Dixie Street.
- Port Douglas Court House Museum, located at 25 Wharf Street.
What's the Weather Like in Port Douglas?
Port Douglas has a tropical monsoon climate. This means it has hot summers and warm winters. Most of the rain falls from January to March, with February usually being the wettest month. The ocean temperature is warm all year, from about 23.7°C (74.7°F) in July to 29.5°C (85.1°F) in January.
| Climate data for Port Douglas, Queensland | |||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Month | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec | Year |
| Mean daily maximum °C (°F) | 30.3 (86.5) |
30.1 (86.2) |
29.5 (85.1) |
28.3 (82.9) |
26.7 (80.1) |
25.1 (77.2) |
24.6 (76.3) |
25.3 (77.5) |
26.7 (80.1) |
28.3 (82.9) |
29.5 (85.1) |
30.3 (86.5) |
27.9 (82.2) |
| Mean daily minimum °C (°F) | 23.7 (74.7) |
23.5 (74.3) |
22.8 (73.0) |
21.5 (70.7) |
19.5 (67.1) |
17.7 (63.9) |
16.8 (62.2) |
17.1 (62.8) |
18.6 (65.5) |
20.8 (69.4) |
22.3 (72.1) |
23.3 (73.9) |
20.6 (69.1) |
| Average precipitation mm (inches) | 401.6 (15.81) |
429.7 (16.92) |
425.6 (16.76) |
204.8 (8.06) |
70.8 (2.79) |
47.3 (1.86) |
25.6 (1.01) |
24.1 (0.95) |
32.0 (1.26) |
52.0 (2.05) |
107.9 (4.25) |
213.2 (8.39) |
2,032.4 (80.02) |
| Average precipitation days | 15.5 | 15.9 | 16.1 | 13.3 | 9.8 | 7.0 | 5.5 | 5.2 | 5.4 | 6.4 | 9.0 | 11.7 | 120.8 |
| Source: Bureau of Meteorology | |||||||||||||
Weather Challenges for the Town
Port Douglas can face strong weather events like cyclones and floods. These events can cause big problems for important services, such as the town's water supply. For example, at the end of 2023, the town had serious water issues after Cyclone Jasper hit.
Learning in Port Douglas: Schools and Libraries
Port Douglas State School is a government primary school. It teaches boys and girls from Preparatory (like kindergarten) to Year 6. It is located on Endeavour Street (16°31′27″S 145°27′40″E / 16.5242°S 145.4612°E). In 2017, the school had 281 students.
For high school, students from Port Douglas usually go to Mossman State High School.
Community Hubs: Libraries and More
The Port Douglas Community Hall is home to the Port Douglas Library. It is at 11–29 Mowbray Street and is run by the Douglas Shire Council. This library opened in 2010. There is also another library branch in Mossman.
The Port Douglas branch of the Queensland Country Women's Association (CWA) meets at the CWA Hall on 8 Blake Street.
St Mary's Catholic Church is located at 2 Endeavour Street. It is part of the Mossman-Port Douglas Parish, which belongs to the Roman Catholic Diocese of Cairns.
Fun Events in Port Douglas
The yearly Port Douglas Carnivale is a big event held in May. It lasts for 10 days over two weekends. It starts with a parade that attracts over 10,000 people!
Another exciting event is the Great Barrier Reef Marathon Festival. This race takes place in October.
What to See and Do in Port Douglas
Port Douglas is very close to the amazing Great Barrier Reef. Many companies offer daily trips from the marina. You can go to the outer reef and the Low Isles for scuba diving and snorkeling.
Port Douglas is also famous for its many restaurants, walking paths, golf courses, and fancy five-star resorts.
Near the center of town, there is a wildlife park. Here, you can see crocodiles, tree-kangaroos, cassowaries, koalas, quolls, flying foxes, and other native Australian animals.
