The town is located on the north and south Johnstone rivers. Prior to white settlement in the area, there were extensive tribes of Aborigines, who were traditional hunters and gatherers. At one time, a total of six languages in the area were spoken. Following the arrival of the whites, the tribes were displaced or killed, and little of their history remains. The area was visited by Captain Cook in 1770, Captain Phillip Parker King in 1819 and by Owen Stanley in 1840. In 1881, Nind's Camp was renamed Geraldton and in 1883 it was surveyed by E.M. Warraker. In 1910, the town was gazetted, and changed its name to Innisfail. The name is derived from a Gaelic form of Ireland.


Heritage Attractions

There are many buildings in the town which reflect its past. The Geraldton School was constructed in 1887, originally in what is today the Memorial Park. It was relocated to Emily Street at a later date. The Innisfail Hospital started out life as a tent in 1885, in 1886 commencing its building project. Paronella Park is home to the ruins of a Spanish castle, and set in 13 acres of tropical gardens. It is the creation of a Spanish immigrant, Jose Paronella earlier this century. Its surrounding rainforest, really makes it quite an enchanting place to visit.

Museums

The Australian Sugar Industry Museum is located on the Bruce Highway, and is a tribute to the sugar industry as a whole. It has displays of tractors, harvesters and all kinds of other implements, as well as an interesting audio-visual presentation. The Johnstone Shire Library is where the Innisfail Heritage Collection is to be found, with a selection of leaflets, books, photographs, articles and video material.

Natural Attractions

The surrounding environment is rich in nature, with rainforest, national parks, lagoons, rivers, waterfalls and lakes, with an abundance of flora and fauna. There are about 1,160 species of higher plants in the vicinity, including 450 that are unique to the area. There are also at least 230 species of animals, including one for which the area is famed, the flightless rainforest bird, the cassowary. There are all kinds of interesting insects, butterflies and small birds.

Within the locality is Mt Bartle Frere, Queensland's highest mountain. It has rainforest and stony paths, with a variety of pathways. The climb to the Broken Nose is along a well defined path, which is quite short, although steep, and climbers should expect to scale boulders en route. For the more fit and experienced, the actual peak of Mt Bartle Frere is worth attempting. This usually involves an overnight stay, but rewards those who make it to the top with some of the most spectacular views around.

There are numerous waterholes in the vicinity, which allow visitors experience the tropical nature of the rainforest at first hand. These include Josephine Falls and Golden Hole, to name but a few.

Other Activities

There are a number of festivals held throughout the year. To name but a few, there is the Innisfail Horse and Pony Club Gymkhana in August, the annual Turf Club Race Meeting is in October, and the Harvest festival is on the first weekend of October.

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