Croydon Shire - General Information
The historical township of Croydon is situated about 500 kilometres west of Cairns amongst low lying hills and savannah bushland and housing many reminders of the gold mining past that the area was built on.
In the mid 1880s it was the centre of what was to be Australia’s
last major goldrush. Tom McAvoy first discovered gold in 1885 while working
under contract for WC Brown owner of Croydon Downs cattle station. The
town became an overnight “boom town” and by 1898, the Croydon
field produced an estimated 760,689 ounces of gold from 1,554 registered
claims.
By 1889, just 3 short years after gold was discovered, busy, prosperous Croydon boasted a population of nearly 8,000, 26 hotels, its own aerated water factory, with gas lamps lighting the street, a foundry, coach builders and town criers.
Croydon’s economy today is based on grazing and an emerging tourism industry generated by promotion of the Savannah Way. History and culture of the area is presented through restoration and conservation of a number of historical sites and attractions. The Police Precinct with jail, Courthouse, Mine Museum, Chinese temple archaeological site, Old Hospital, and the Town Hall are just some to mention.
Water, electricity, satellite TV and bitumen roads make modern Croydon very much part of the 21st century. Two things remain constant for Croydon and the friendly folk who live there... the will to survive, and the determined toot and cheery rattle of the Gulflander as it pulls into town on its once a week jaunt down 109 year old rails from Normanton.
Damper, campfires and Akubra hats are part of daily life here and the nature of the land can be felt firsthand during afternoon birdwatching expeditions or long relaxing walks. The spirit of mateship and country hospitality still exist here where the classic Australian traditions live on.
Lake Belmore, 4km north of town and constructed in 1995 as the Croydon reservoir, is a scenic spot to appreciate the unique Gulf Savannah environment. It provides locals and tourists alike with the opportunity to swim, barbeque and ski. The Lake has been stocked for fishing however limitations apply to avoid depleting stock. Lake Belmore has provided Croydon with a resource more precious than the gold once mined throughout the area.
On the road up to Lake Belmore you can visit Croydon's Chinese Temple site an important archaeological site, and one of the few records left of over fifty years of Chinese settlement in Croydon. Walk around the Chinese Heritage Trail and get an insight as to how the Chinese lived.
For the Croydon Shire the average maximum temperature is around 36°C in summer and 32°C in winter. Average minimum temperatures range from 24°C in summer to 17°C in winter. The average annual rainfall in the Croydon shire is around 734mm
Must See
- The General Store and Museum which has traded since 1894 (actively trading business)
- The Mine Museum with its recently reconstructed gold milling stamper
- The Heritage listed Police Precinct with Gaol.
- The Heritage listed Courthouse c. 1887
- Original A10 Steam Engine (under restoration)
- Town Hall with original movie projection equipment (available for meetings, workshops, displays)
- Historic hospital building
- Chinese Temple site - A Centenary Of Federation project to present this heritage listed archaeological site.
- Croydon Railway Station
- Historic precinct tours incorporating:
- Tales of the Town People
- Stories of the Heritage listed buildings
- Fossils and Mineral Samples
- Mining Relics
- Personalised Walking Tours
- Historic Mining Sites
- Cemeteries - (includes Chinese Cemetery)
- Croydon Poddy Dodgers Festival - Croydon hosts an award winning Croydon Poddy Dodgers Music Festival annually, the next one will be held on 20, 21, 22 June 2008, be sure to come along and join in the fun and festivities. There will be a street parade & floats, talent quests, markets and night bull ride to name some events, making it a very enjoyable 3 days for all ages. Free camping at the grounds, gives an added incentive for people to stay the whole weekend and enjoy this spectacular regional event.
Must Do
- Have a beer at the Club Hotel c1890. The hotel holds the last of the 122 liquor licenses issued on the Croydon goldfields
- Ski, Swim or BBQ at Lake Belmore - stocking will provide for future fishing
- Ride the Gulflander Train
- Birdwatching - the Gulf Savannah provides a wondrous array of bird life. Inquire through Croydon Information Centre
- Golf, Lawn Bowls, Covered Basketball/Cricket Pavilion, Tennis with Playground and BBQ area
