The official opening of the Cook Highway along the coast between Cairns and Mossman in 1933 made transport between the two centres much easier than travelling over the very steep Bump Track. The coast road was bitumened five years later. During World War II, the US Army Engineers commenced construction of the Rex Highway over the range to Julatten from the outskirts of Mossman.
The Douglas Shire Council moved into new offices in Mossman near the mill in 1936.
Electricity was turned on in Mossman in 1957 and George Quaid was running a small ferry across the Daintree River to service his logging operations. The council later took over its operation.
The first tea plantation in the area was established by the Nicholas family at Cow Bay in 1978.
In 1981, the Great Barrier Reef was inscribed on the World Heritage List and Cape Tribulation National Park was declared, saving it from further logging.
A new age of tourism began in 1984 when Cairns International Airport opened. Quicksilver began the first daily trips to the Great Barrier Reef and the Sheraton Mirage Resort, developed by Christopher Skase, opened in Port Douglas in 1987. more...
