The Clink Theatre

The Clink Theatre is a small, character-filled performance venue in Mowbray Street, Port Douglas, in the Cairns region. Run by the Douglas Theatre Arts Group, it presents a home for local and visiting artists, with a programme that can include theatre and other live performances. The website also provides information about current and past shows, ticketing, auditions and venue hire, although no theatre workshops are currently scheduled.

The venue’s setting is one of its defining features. The building began life as the old Mossman courthouse before being moved to Port Douglas and converted into a 120-seat theatre. Inside, it has tiered seating, a foyer, box office, backstage facilities, dressing room, wardrobe and sets area. The auditorium is described as having full theatre facilities and carefully considered acoustics, making it a purpose-built space for watching a performance rather than simply a room adapted for occasional events. There is also a small bar in the venue.

The Clink’s history gives it a distinctive sense of place. The building was transported down the Cook Highway in 1991 after Douglas Shire Council sought a new home for the former courthouse. Local residents, corporate sponsors and government grants helped fund the project, while architect Roger Mainwood and builder Jon Ewen-Smith oversaw its transformation. It officially opened on 7 November 1992. Its name refers both to the building’s former association with law enforcement and to the historic Clink prison near Shakespeare’s Globe Theatre in London.

The theatre is a natural fit for visitors looking for live performance in Port Douglas, as well as locals who want to support the town’s independent theatrical community. It can suit a solo audience member, a couple or a small group planning an evening around a show, with the intimate 120-seat layout keeping the experience close to the stage. The venue is also available for commercial and community use, including theatre performances, non-performance events and courtyard functions, subject to its hire policy and terms. For people interested in the creative life of the Douglas area, The Clink offers both a performance space and a tangible piece of local history.