The former Douglas Shire ran along the coast north of Ellis Beach to the Bloomfield River.  Port Douglas is located on the coast.  Mossman is inland and has become the administrative centre.
The Kuku Yulangi have inhabited this area for at least 9000 years
In 1770, Captain James Cook passed the coastline and named Cape Tribulation. His bark Endeavour struck the Great Barrier Reef and was beached at Cooktown for repairs.
In 1877 Christie Palmerston and his mate William Lakeland discovered a route over the mountains to Island Point, which would now become the port for the new inland goldfields. Soon businessmen began to arrive at the port, which was eventually named Port Douglas. John James Montgomery applied for the first selection on the Mowbray River.  William Thomson applied for the first selection on the Mossman River.    
In the following year, Court House Hotel, and the North Australian Hotel, later known as the Central Hotel, were built in Port Douglas, and a lighthouse was erected on Low Isles.
In 1879, the Port Douglas Court House was built and pupil No.1 was enrolled at the Port Douglas State School No.334.  The first permanent settlers in Daintree area were John, Archie and Gavin Steuart.      more...