Nathan Plaza shopping centre opened.
Coal mining town of Moranbah established.
Convent and Catholic school buildings in Cooktown, which had been slated for demolition a year earlier, were restored and opened as the James Cook Historical Museum, operated by the National Trust of Queensland.
Rural training college opens in Home Hill. It became the Burdekin Agricultural College in 1986.
January
18 Cyclone "Ada" devastates island communities in the Whitsundays.
April
4 Albert Abbott wins election to become Mackay's longest serving Mayor losing his position in 1988.
16 Royal family visits Mackay briefly. Queen Elizabeth and Prince Phillip arrive at Mackay Airport and travel through the city having a reception at the Holy Trinity Parish Hall before driving to the Harbour prior top embarking on HMAS "Stuart" to meet the HMS "Britannia" near St. Bees Island.