Ingham Tourist Attractions
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The little town of Ingham (pop. 5700), named after WB Ingham, an early settler and sugar-cane planter, lies on the lower course of the Herbert River in a large sugar-growing area. Graves in the churchyard point to the Mediterranean origins of the early settlers. The Victoria Mill is one of the largest sugar mills in the world; the Macknade Mill has been operating since 1874.
Surroundings
The sugar produced in the region around Ingham is shipped from Lucinda, 29km north. Other products of the region are tobacco, timber and cattle.Excursions to the national parks in the surrounding area, with jungle-like rain forest and waterfalls are available. Nearby are Herbert River Falls National Park, with an impressive gorge and high, steep rock faces, Mount Fox, an extinct volcano, and the offshore islands of Dunk, Orpheus and Hinchinbrook.Nearby are areas of inaccessible wilderness round the Herbert River and its tributaries, with smaller waterfalls. These parks are only for fit and experienced rock climbers: Herbert River Falls National Park (2400ha), Yamanie Falls (9700ha), Herkes Creek Falls (500ha), Sword Creek Falls (500ha), Garrawalt Falls (5000ha), Broadwater Creel Falls (500ha).
Orpheus Island
Orpheus Island is the second largest of the Palm Islands. Only two islands in the group (Orpheus and Pelorus) can be visited; the other eight (Brisk, Curacao, Eclipse, Esk, Falcon, Fantone, Havannah and Great Palm) are reserves belonging to the Aborigines which can be entered only with a special permit. Orpheus Island has an area of 14 sq.km and its highest point rises to 172m above sea level. It comprises open woodland, grassland and, in depressions and sheltered inlets, rain forest, with long beaches of white sand. The reefs round the island are ideal for divers and snorkellers, with over 1000 species of fish and over 300 species of coral. Also dolphins and sightings of humpback whales. The island can be reached from Townsville by seaplane, and there are also flights from Cairns (calling in on Hinchinbrook Island to the north). There are water taxis from Dungeness (near Lucinda) and boats from Townsville (via Magnetic Island).
Paluma Range National Park
7224ha.On the summits and slopes of the Paluma Range are areas of rain forest; Mount Spec itself is 960m high. There are a number of good viewpoints in the park, with views extending over the coastal plain to Halifax Bay and the Palm Islands to the northeast. From the picnic area on Big Crystal Creek there is a short walking trail to various viewpoints. Little Crystal Creek offers waterfalls and bathing beaches in a rain forest valley.
Jourama Falls Section
1100ha.The main scenic attractions of the Jourama Falls Section of Paluma Range National Park are its waterfalls and the beautiful valley of Waterview Creek, covered with dense vegetation and scattered with granite boulders. From the access road there are short walking trails to the waterfall and the viewpoint above the falls. There are also some steeper trails; but rock climbing is inadvisable because of the many loose bits of rock. Good bathing in the park.
Lumholtz National Park
600ha.The most impressive feature in Lumholtz National Park is the waterfall on Stony Creek, a tributary of the Herbert River, where the water plunges down 279m (greatest flow of water at end of summer).Above the falls are expanses of luxuriant rain forest. There is a good general view from a lookout reached on a track which takes off from the road. There are walking trails and bathing areas.
