Pope Alexander Cooper elected Member for Bowen. Conservative 1881–1883
Township of Ayr surveyed by Mr C. Lymburner.
Farm selections, each of two square miles, were taken up at Goondi.
Herberton primary school and School of Arts opens.
Mourilyan Estate sugar plantation established.
Ross River provisional school, later known as the Weir School, opened.
Mackay company of volunteers formed. Formalised as "F" Company.
February
Gold rush commences at Mount Britton after payable ore samples found. A Small township springs up but lasts for only a couple of years.
August
4 Mackay's first tramway established by John Spiller on his Pioneer Estate on the north side of the Pioneer River is officially opened.