Innisfail

Innisfail Qld 4860 (Pop 8 500)

Photo depicts Innisfail as it looked until February 3, 2011 prior to being devastated by Cyclone Yasi which resulted in huge damage and destruction but fortunately little loss of human life. The resilient community is rebulding, but all help and donations are greatly welcomed. Please contact the Australian Red Cross for donations of any kind.

Innisfail is an important and pretty Tropical North Qld town 1 593 km north of Brisbane. It sits at the junction of the North & South Johnstone Rivers and servicies the surrounding banana and sugar growing district. Settled in 1870s, Innisfail was named after the romantic name for Ireland. It is also known as being one of Australia’s wettest towns and never more so than when Cyclone Larry hit in 2006 causing substantial damage. This major sugar growing town has bulk sugar loading facilities and numerous sugar mills nearby but by contrast, also charming Art Deco buildings in the centre of town. Innisfail has a strong Italian heritage thanks to the vast numbers of sugar cane workers. Markets 3rd Sat each month. Harvest Festival (Oct).

Accommodation:
Innsifail has a dozen hotels/motels and 4 caravan parks. Visitor Information Centre: Cnr Eslick St & Bruce Hwy. Tel (07) 4061 7442.