Australian Towns, Cities & Highways: Ingham

Ingham

Ingham, located on the Bruce Highway between Townsville and Cairns, lies on the Herbert River and is the commerical centre for the Hinchinbrook region. George Dalrymple was the first explorer into the region in the early 1860's with the first settlers commencing cattle farming in 1865. However, it was sugar cane that prompted further growth of the region as the first sugar mill was established in 1872 with the township of Ingham surveyed shortly after in 1875. The town grew steadily until changes to Australia's immigration policies in the early 1900's, attracted a large number of Italian workers onto the canefields. Further immigration between the Wars saw the Italian culture grow to such an extent that Ingham is nowadays affectionately known as "Little Italy". Sugar remains the region's primary industry today as Ingham has one of the largest sugar mills in the world, with the surrounding region dominated by canefields. Tourism has grown in recent years as the nearby National Parks and "The Great Green Way" between Townsville and Cairns have been exposed to heavier promotion. The town itself is quite attractive, offers a full range of services and has a large shopping precinct. Of interest in the area includes Macknade & Victoria sugar mills (in town), Wallaman Falls (largest single drop of water in Australia - 45km west), Forrest & Taylors Beaches (20km east), Paluma Village & Jourama Falls (30km south) and the spectacular Lookout over Hinchinbrook Island (15km north on Bruce Hwy).

Population: 4,600
State: Queensland
Name Origin: Named after William Ingham, an early sugar farmer in the area.
Pronunciation: Ing-m
Postcode: 4850
Local Government: Hinchinbrook Shire Council
Location: 1463km north west of Brisbane, 109km north west of Townsville
Main Watercourses: Herbert River
Main Roads: Bruce Highway
Radio Stations (Music): Hot FM (103.1), 4TO-FM (102.3), Mix FM (106.3), Zinc Rocks (100.7), Triple J (105.5), 4TO (AM 774)

Photos from Ingham (Click on thumbnail for full sized image):

Looking north along the Bruce Highway as it enters Ingham from the south (2007).

Townsville Rd (Bruce Hwy), heading north from Macrossan St, Ingham (2007).

The Piazza Conzano, central Ingham demonstrating the Italian flavour (2007).

Lannercost St, looking east along the westbound lanes from Tully St, Ingham (2007).

And again, this time looking east along the eastbound lanes, Ingham (2007).

Palm Tce (Bruce Hwy), looking east from Townsville Rd, Ingham (2007).

Herbert St (Bruce Hwy), looking east from Gort St, Ingham (2007).

Herbert St (Bruce Hwy), looking east from Palm Tce, Ingham (2007).

Palm Tce, looking south-east from Herbert St, Ingham (2007).

Herbert St (Bruce Hwy), looking north-east along the southbound lanes from Palm Tce (2007).

And again, this time looking from Francis St, Ingham (2007).

Herbert St (Bruce Hwy), looking north-east from Gedge St, Ingham (2007).

Rotary Park, looking north in Ingham (2007).

Rotary Park, looking south in Ingham (2007).

Palm Tce, looking east along the westbound lanes from Davidson St, Ingham (2007).

And again, this time looking along the eastbound lanes, Ingham (2007).

Cartwright St, looking south from Herbert St, Ingham (2007).

Typical scenery, just west of Ingham (2007).

Typical scenery, just north of Ingham (2007).

The Bruce Hwy, heading north from Ingham (2007).

Wallaman Falls, the largest single span drop of water in Australia - 45km west of Ingham (2007).

	Looking north along the Bruce Highway as it enters Ingham from the south (2007).
	Townsville Rd (Bruce Hwy), heading north from Macrossan St, Ingham (2007).
	The Piazza Conzano, central Ingham demonstrating the Italian flavour (2007).
	Lannercost St, looking east along the westbound lanes from Tully St, Ingham (2007).
	And again, this time looking east along the eastbound lanes, Ingham (2007).
	Palm Tce (Bruce Hwy), looking east from Townsville Rd, Ingham (2007).
	Herbert St (Bruce Hwy), looking east from Gort St, Ingham (2007).
	Herbert St (Bruce Hwy), looking east from Palm Tce, Ingham (2007).
	Palm Tce, looking south-east from Herbert St, Ingham (2007).
	Herbert St (Bruce Hwy), looking north-east along the southbound lanes from Palm Tce (2007).
	And again, this time looking from Francis St, Ingham (2007).
	Herbert St (Bruce Hwy), looking north-east from Gedge St, Ingham (2007).
	Rotary Park, looking north in Ingham (2007).
	Rotary Park, looking south in Ingham (2007).
	Palm Tce, looking east along the westbound lanes from Davidson St, Ingham (2007).
	And again, this time looking along the eastbound lanes, Ingham (2007).
	Cartwright St, looking south from Herbert St, Ingham (2007).
	Typical scenery, just west of Ingham (2007).
	Typical scenery, just north of Ingham (2007).
	The Bruce Hwy, heading north from Ingham (2007).
	Wallaman Falls, the largest single span drop of water in Australia - 45km west of Ingham (2007).