Cairns' population reaches nearly 33 000.
Cairns botanic garden renamed the Flecker Botanic Gardens.
Branch line from Mackay to North Eton closed.
An export coal terminal o[pened at Hay Point serving the open-cut mines at Goonyella.
Heatley Primary School opens.
Nerada tea factory opened.
November
5 Official opening of the Hay Point to Goonyella Railway line by Australian Governor General Sir. Paul Hasluck.
December
24 Cyclone Althea hit the North Queensland coast directly crossing Magnetic Island. The island, along with much of the mainland, was devastated with 90% of the island's houses damaged or destroyed, some simply lifted off their foundations and tossed into trees.