1884

Aitkenvale Hotel opens.

Seaforth, Kalamia and Pioneer mils in the lower Burdekin opened.

Emerald to Clermont railway line opened.

Cyclone flattens Bowen.

A separate Cardwell divisional board was proclaimed, smaller but still administratively cumbersome - board members still faced travel from the Valley of Lagoons to Cardwell meetings.

Clermont became the administrative centre for the surrounding Belyando local government division.

Railway line to wharves in Cooktown completed.

Hospital opens in Herberton.

Irvinebank, initially known as Gibbs Camp, was founded by John Moffat, who had purchased the mining leases from the original prospectors. He built a dam, a mill, smelters and other infrastructure that attracted settlers and miners to the area. The smelter was the largest in Australia for a number of years.

Cloncurry division was created, extending beyond Mount Isa to the Northern Territory border. 

Hinchinbrook divisional board established. 

Mill begins operations on Mourilyan Estate.

Mackay Gas company established. Gas Street lighting introduced to Mackay

February 

Railway extended north from Emerald to Clermont. 

March 

Barron Valley route chosen for railway line from Cairns to Atherton Tableland.

© Ian Hughes 2013