Cairns History Facts

Cairns history has links to various material from Cairns past. It also has links to some of our other work (mainly post European arrival) that we hope you find interesting or at least entertaining.

However, it is important to remember that the Gimuy Walubara Yidinji are the traditional owners and custodians of this area. Indeed they refer to Cairns as Gimuy. Consequently, we acknowledge their past struggles and success.

Aboriginal Australians of Cairns and the surrounding rainforests call themselves the Bama people. Despite the frontier wars during the period of early contact, and the racist policies of the past, the Bama people have endured and maintained their cultural heritage.

When was Cairns founded?

Cairns was officially founded in 1876. The area was previously known as Trinity Bay by Europeans and as Gimuy by the Traditional Owners.

However in 1876 the settlement was named after the Queensland Governor at that time, Sir William Wellington Cairns. The settlement was later declared a town in 1903.]

Why was Cairns established?

Initially, Cairns was established for the miners who worked the Hodgkinson River goldfields.

However, after an easier track to the goldfields was discovered from Port Douglas, Cairns became a rail port exporting sugar cane, gold, precious metals and other agricultural based products.

The fertile soil on the Atherton Tableland were perfect for farming and remains a major source of fresh produce for Australia. In addition, sugar cane farms were developed on the lowlands around Cairns as there was now access to transport the cane to the southern sugar mills.

Cairns History Timeline

Cairns City of the South Pacific A History 1770 – 1995

The most comprehensive historical account of Cairns is Cairns City of the South Pacific A History 1770 – 1995 by Timothy Bottoms.

This work covers the many and varied people who have lived and worked in the district, as well as the dramatic changes that have occurred. As a result, it is a fascinating coverage of this unique tropical city.

Tim’s work is accessible and interesting to all levels of readers and listeners. Tim is an intrepid author and narrator who has a cosmopolitan approach and yet artfully allows the many historical voices and faces to speak for themselves.

Old Pictures of Cairns

While this page links to many aspects of Cairns history, it is the old pictures of Cairns that people enjoy the most.

You will find links to old pictures of Cairns streets as well as pictures of the Cairns Esplanade.

Indeed these pictures are a useful way to show the past. We have pictures of Cairns in flood, as well as other images that highlight the city’s built history and cultural diversity.

Cairns History Resources

Cairns Museum and Cairns Historical Society

The Cairns Museum and the Cairns Historical Society Research Centre are located in the Cairns School of Arts building, in the heart of the Cairns CBD. The Cairns Museum is owned and operated by the Cairns Historical Society.

However, the Society’s extensive archival and photographic collections are open to anyone with a research interest in Cairns or Far North Queensland. So if you have an interest in history, you should get in contact.

Bookings are required to visit the Research Centre and access the collection. Email research queries are welcome.

Cairns History Map

We love old maps of Cairns. So we were delighted to find Old Maps Online with many great maps from Cairns past.

McLeod Street Pioneer Cemetery

The heritage listed McLeod Street Pioneer Cemetery, Cairns, was used for interment from 1877 until 1949.

The McLeod Street Pioneer Cemetery has endured as the resting
place of over two thousand five hundred people of diverse ethnic and
occupational backgrounds.

I found the grave of John Samuel Pyne who was a good runner, horseman, butcher and my great uncle. He died in 1890 (aged 21) when he fell riding his horse ‘pickpocket’ on the Cairns Esplanade.

Cairns History Links

Relevant Material

• Cairns Facts
• Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander People
• Cairns Humidity
• Cairns Postcode
• Far North Queensland
• Gimuy
• Growing up in Australia

Other Relevant Material

• Central Cairns
• Cairns West
• Mount Whitfield
• North Cairns
• South Cairns

Cairns