Cairns
Connect Overview
Ingham
itself has a very Italian feel to it especially during the annual
Italian Festival. Whilst there is not a lot to see and do in Ingham
itself it is an excellent area to be based to explore places like
Halifax and Lucinda. The area has great fishing, lots of bush walking
and camping and of course it is a gateway to the wondrous Hinchinbrook
Island and passage.
Population
Approximately 5012
Distance
from closest major city
111 km north of Townsville - on the Bruce Highway
History
Sugar farms were first established in the Ingham area in the 1880's.
The town was named after William Ingham, a popular young sugar farmer
who was one of the first settlers in the area. William Ingham met
an untimely death when he was captured and eaten by natives on Brooker
Island off the coast of Papua New Guinea. Most of the early immigrants
to this area were Italian and their influence can still be felt
strongly today.
Feel
of the town
Ingham is the commercial centre for the surrounding farming regions.
It is a busy town with large tree lined streets. Much attention
is focused on the Australian - Italian Festival held each year in
May. People are friendly and it is a good place to stop and stretch
the legs. The Memorial Gardens are well sign posted from from the
centre of town and they make a great back drop for lunch.
Things
To See
There are a number of interesting places to see around Ingham. The
Cemetery and Victoria Mill are part of a well sign posted scenic
drive, Sir Arthur Fadden Drive. The Victoria Mill is the largest
Sugar Mill in the Southern Hemisphere.
Things
To Do
Halifax and Lucinda are close by. The Commercial Hotel in Halifax
is a friendly place to drop in for lunch or to stay overnight. Lucinda
is the stepping off point for Hinchinbrook Island. There is also
a large wharf (5.76km) at Lucinda which is the worlds longest offshore
sugar loading facility. The turn off for Halifax and Lucinda is
only a few kilometres north of Ingham. At Wallaman Falls National
Park and Mount Fox there are beautiful swimming holes, waterfalls
and walking tracks. To get to both requires a long drive on a dirt
road (61 km to Mount Fox and 51 km to Wallaman Falls). Forest Beach
is an attractive small seaside community about 20km from Ingham.
Jourama
Falls are located 24km south of Ingham. The dirt road is suitable
for most vehicles and caravans. There are a number of causeways
which are covered with water all year round but they are safe to
drive through. Be careful in the summer wet season as water levels
can rise quickly and unpredictably. Jourama Falls are located in
the Paluma National Park. There are excellent picnic and camping
facilities making this a popular spot for locals to visit. There
are walking tracks and swimming holes. It is recommended that if
you are planning to camp that you bring your own firewood into the
Park.
Places
To Stay
There is a limited range of accommodation available in Ingham and
most is pub or motel style. Staying at the Commercial Hotel at Halifax
is another option.
Places To Eat
There are a number of hotels, takeaway food shops and restaurants
in Ingham. Food is readily available and generally quite good value.
If you visit Ingham during the Italian Festival (around May) your
taste buds will be well rewarded.
Services
Ingham has all the services of a small city including banks, travel
agents, newsagents, doctors, mechanics, grocery stores etc.
Ingham
Information Centre Telephone (07) 4776 5211
|