Mossman District Hospital

Driving along Johnstone Road cast your eyes beyond the decorative arched exit gates from the Mossman District Hospital and absorb the beauty of this Spanish Mission design building. It is the only hospital in Queensland designed in this style, nestled against the spectacular mountain backdrop. Built in stages from 1930, the hospital retains its original pavilion structures linked by covered walkways. The buildings are fringed by deep surrounding verandahs, an adaptation to the sub-tropical climate. The buildings had been originally designed in 1925 by the Department of Public Works as a standardised pavilion-type timber and galvanised iron hospital. Cairns architects Hill and Taylor amended the plans in 1928 to incorporate the Spanish Mission style facades. Mossman was by that time the administrative centre of the district, after Port Douglas was essentially wiped out by a cyclone in 1911. While an early hospital was retained at Port Douglas, the new hospital was initiated following the Hospital Act of 1923 which increased the state government’s health care responsibilities. The Maternity Wing was funded through the initiation of the Golden Casket in 1920. Hill and Taylor were responsible for later additions to the facility which has led to an aesthetically integrated site.