Town of Clermont established.
Burketown was established on the Albert River, and quickly became the official point of pastoral expansion to the west.
Bowen's European population exceeded 1000 people as the port transhipped supplies to the new outback stations. Work started on a jetty with a tramway was built out to 12 feet of water at low tide at Port Denison. Work completed the following year.
Some of Townsville's early inhabitants offer a reward for the discovery of gold that would turn their port into a transhipment centre and promote their pastoral output.
Peak Downs hospital opened in Clermont.
First sale of township lots in Eton, southwest of Mackay.
June
1 John Spiller plants first lot of Sugar Cane in Mackay.
12 Jacmel Packet, chartered by Towns and Company arrived off the mouth of the Albert River. The goods it carried were landed on the present site of Burketown.
29 First Horse Race Meeting held at Mackay.
September
The population of Burketown was about 40.
October
A store and a hotel were under construction in Burketown, but the balance of buildings were humpies.