Early in the year George Dalrymple returned to Brisbane with an optimistic description of the country between Rockhampton and Bowen, and Captain John Mackay reported the discovery of good pastoral country in the Pioneer Valley.
As a result of these reports, needing an outlet for the new Kennedy pastoral district, the Queensland Government commissioned a coastal expedition commanded by Lieutenant J.W. Smith in the Spitfire to investigate possible harbours beyond Rockhampton. Smith confirmed Sinclair's report and the government decided to establish a township on Port Denison.
May First sitting of Queensland Parliament with 26 Members from 16 electorates. The Members of the Legislative Council were appointed for life.
16 Captain John Mackay's party reached the summit of the main coastal range and looked out over a rich tropical valley.
25 John Mackay's expedition party reach the coast, having traversed the Pioneer Valley.
September
HMS Spitfire on her way north to search for the mouth of the Burdekin River, was passing outside Carlisle Island when her crew heard an explosion which may have been a distress signal. Spitfire anchored in Maryport Bay, and her captain, J. W. Smith, and G. E. Dalrymple, Commissioner of Crown Lands for the Kennedy District, went ashore where they found fourteen Aboriginals and a number of bark canoes.