The Central Hotel has stood the test of time in Port Douglas
140TH BIRTHDAY
IT would be fair to say the Central Hotel in Port Douglas has stood the test of time.
And this is reinforced when you delve into the history books and learn that the popular Macrossan Street icon was one of 18 pubs in Port Douglas when it poured its first beers on October 6, 1878.
As the Central prepares to celebrate its 140th birthday next week, the town will also be able to reflect on a time when Port Douglas had a number of banks, a community hospital, two newspapers, government services and race meetings were held on Four Mile Beach.
Although few stand today, Port Douglas’ importance and prosperity back in the 1870s – thanks to the discovery of gold in 1877 on the Hodgkinson River – is underscored by the abundance of pubs at that time.
According to Willmett’s North Queensland Almanac and Directory for 1878, the following were listed: North Australian (became the Central), Family (now the Courthouse), Sea View, Cooktown, Cosmopolitan, Currency Lass, Exchange Hotel, Reefer’s Arms, Sydney, Carrier’s Arms, Royal, Salisbury, Skene’s Family, Commercial, Bonnie Dundee, Turner’s Family, Wilson’s and Victoria.
The Central lays claim to being the oldest pub in the port and after it was damaged by the 1911 cyclone, it was rebuilt as the Central Hotel, a two-storey structure.
Locals view it with love and over the years, it has welcomed new owners, renovations and its large TV screens attract large crowds for major sporting events. Old timers will also tell you that it was fashionable ‘back in the day’ to take lady friends to the Verandah Bar as the ‘public bar was too unruly’.
What may not be that well known is the two ghosts who haunt the Central – a little girl in the kitchen and a grumpy old man in the cellar.
Helen Colvin, the Central’s manager of 20 years, does not need to be convinced about the ghosts.
“There is conclusive evidence they exist. One of our duty managers has had numerous encounters. A chef gasped when he watched on a windless day when the kitchen’s swinging doors swung in and out. They are for real,” she says.
Now Helen is looking forward to sharing the hotel’s history with locals and visitors on Saturday October 6 when 140 years of service to Port Douglas can be celebrated.
“We will be having a number of events on the day which will start at 2pm. There will be kids’ activities, live music, a 140th birthday cake in the form of cupcakes, a number of draws, giveaways and The Hillbilly Goats will be performing from 7.30pm until late,” said Helen.
If the ghosts are out and it’s a clear, windless day, the Central Hotel is a must visit next month. This is a milestone you won’t want to miss.
For more information visit the Central Hotel Facebook Page.
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