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The Douglas Shire Historical Society

The Douglas Shire Historical Society meets on the first Monday of every month, alternately in Port Douglas and Mossman at 2pm. We visit historic sites and hear presentations on local history. We encourage our members to research and present their findings or to share old photos.

Join the Society for a subscription of $10 p.a. or $15 for a family. To download a membership form click here for all other enquiries click here.

What the Society does:

  • Operates the Court House Museum, Port Douglas (you are welcome to join the roster as a volunteer attendant)
  • Conducts historic walks for groups along the heritage trail in Port Douglas
  • Researches and publishes local history books and bulletins
  • Collects local history papers, historic photographs and oral histories
  • Prepares and mounts poster displays for schools and the community
  • Promotes signposted historic walks in Port Douglas, Mossman and Daintree Village


Our latest projects are:

  • Researching the location and recording details of old farm machinery in our area
  • A database of graves in the Port Douglas cemetery is in preparation
  • A guided walk through the Mossman cemetery is being researched

Resources & Credits

Many of the images contained on this site are from the State Library of Queensland, which holds the world's largest collection of photographic material relating to the history and development of Queensland and are credited as such.

Other reference sources are suggested for research:

Warning. This site may contain the names and images of Aboriginal and Islander people now deceased.
It also contains links to sites that may offend some viewers

Map of the region

Click to enlarge

Latest News

 

NEW PUBLICATION

"Surviving Paradise" 

another book by Pam Willis Burden in the series "Port's People and "Raindrops and Sugar Crops" featuring excerpts of oral histories recorded with locals from Douglas Shire.

Launched on Friday December 14th at Mossman Library and available at Mossman News and Whileaway, Port Douglas

or online at

infodouglashistory.orgau

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WINNERS OF THE BIG RAFFLE

1st Prize:  $2000 of travel from HelloWorld Port Douglas

ticket 0608 - Peter Lloyd

2nd Prize - $500 of travel from HelloWorld Port Douglas

Ticket 0706 - Eva Scott

15 consolation prizes of double passes on the Bally Hooley Rail Tours.

Many thanks to our raffle sponsors:

Central Hotel, Mocka's Pies, Burmack Pty Ltd, HelloWorld PD, Port Douglas Automotive, Bolt, Burchill & Tranter, Zammataro Plumbing, The Pink Real Estate Company, Port Douglas Stationery Hub.

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Court House Museum

will close for holidays and annual maintenance on the following dates:

Closes Monday 10th December

Opens:  Sunday January 6 2019

Closes: Monday January 28 

Opens; Tuesday March 3

is open on Tuesdays, Thursdays, Saturdays and Sundays between 10am and 1pm. It is always staffed by enthusiastic volunteers who are happy to answer your local history questions.

It is wheelchair accessible with a portable ramp kindly donated by John and Jocelyn White

Like our Facebook page.

We also have two blogs on line: 

infodshs.wordpress.com

and

www.DouglasShireHistory.wordpress.com

Visit the Port Douglas
Court House Museum

Wharf Street, Port Douglas
(beside the Police Station)

Open Tuesdays, Thursdays,
Saturdays and Sundays
From 10am to 1pm
Click to download brochure

Portable wheelchair ramp available, please ask the volunteer on duty.

Society's Awards