A Rich History - The Palmer River Gold Rush - 1873

Historic Maytown

Maytown was the main township on the Palmer River Goldfields in Far North Queensland, Australia. It is now a ghost town within locality of Palmer in the Shire of Cook, having been active from c. 1874 to the 1920s. It was added to the Queensland Heritage Register on 1 June 2004.^[Wikipedia]

The township is located on the north bank of the Palmer River near the junction of Butcher's Creek. The area contains a high concentration of building surfaces and footings. Some street alignments are discernible and one street contains carefully laid stone kerbing and gutters. Dominant structural remains include a brick baker's oven, timber uprights for the school, a Chinese temple site, and burnt timber stumps and corrugated iron sheets of the police station. A stone commemorative cairn and an (inaccurate) replica of a miner's hut have recently been constructed in the centre of the town site. The cemetery contains about 40 identifiable graves including 16 with headstones.^[Wikipedia]

 By 1882 the number of hotels had declined to six, and there were two European Stores, 10 Chinese stores, two banks, two butchers, baker, blacksmith, saddler, chemist, lemonade factory and printer. A post office existed from 1876 to 1945. By 1877, the Golden Age newspaper was printed followed by the Palmer Chronicle in 1883.

By the turn of the century the town had a branch of the Queensland Government Savings Bank, a state school, courthouse, school of arts, hospital, police barracks, one hotel, eight stores - four of which were Chinese, a baker, saddler and Miners Institute. In 1900, the town had a population of 674 (252 Europeans and 422 Chinese)^[Wikipedia]

Wild Irish Girl Mine and Battery is a heritage-listed mine at Conglomerate Range, Maytown, Shire of Cook, Queensland, Australia. It was built from c. 1894 to 1980s. It is also known as Emily Battery. It was added to the Queensland Heritage Register on 21 October 1992.^[Wikipedia]

The Old Coach Road

Laura to Maytown Coach Road is a heritage-listed road between the towns of Laura and Maytown, Shire of Cook, Queensland, Australia. It was built from c. 1877 to c. 1895. It was added to the Queensland Heritage Register on 21 October 1992.^[Wikipedia]

The Hann Divisional Board assisted with improvements so that by May 1880 a regular Cobb and Co coach service was inaugurated. The track eventually became the main route onto the Palmer from Laura and the historical section now traverse Reserve R16^[Wikipedia]

Alexandra Mine and Battery

Alexandra Mine and Battery is a heritage-listed mine at Palmerville Station, Maytown, Shire of Cook, Queensland, Australia. It was built from c. 1878 to 1898. It is also known as Alexandra PC.It was added to the Queensland Heritage Register on 21 October 1992.^[Wikipedia]

The surviving plant includes:

• Cornish boiler - J.W.Sutton & Co Brisbane
• One-cylinder portable steam engine - no brand (Clayton & Shuttleworth ?)
• One-cylinder horizontal steam engine - no brand.
• Boiler casing (converted to a water tank) - no brand.
• Pump arm (not in situ)
• 2 Five-stamp mortar boxes - no brands
• Grinding pan (at manager's house site, not part of battery)
• Langlands Foundry^[Wikipedia]

Stonyville Township

Stonyville Township, Water Race and Cemetery is a heritage-listed mining camp at Mareeba Mining District, Palmer, Shire of Cook, Queensland, Australia. It was built from the 1870s to c. 1900. It is also known as Stony Creek Township, Stonyville Water Race, and Stonyville Cemetery. It was added to the Queensland Heritage Register on 21 October 1992.^[Wikipedia]

The water race extends for about 1,000 metres (3,300 ft) along the northern and eastern banks of Stony Creek. For most of its length the race consists of a 1 to 2 metres (3 ft 3 in to 6 ft 7 in) wide channel partially cut into bed-rock and raised on a rubble and earth aqueduct up to 6 metres (20 ft) above the creekbed. Several short sections contain packed stone retaining walls 1 to 2.4 metres (3 ft 3 in to 7 ft 10 in) in height. The race is cut through bed rock for about 20 metres (66 ft) through a gorge. The race terminates at an area of past alluvial workings adjacent to Stonyville township.^[Wikipedia]

The map below links to the Cook Shire Council Cape York and Cooktown Historic trails. A great source of information when planning your visit to Cape York.

Byerstown, 75 km east of Palmerville, occupied an elevated and healthy site on the Palmer River. In 1882 the Australian Handbook recorded four hotels, 13 stores, a police barracks, two butchers and a blacksmith. Described as the emporium for the Palmer Goldfield, it was estimated that three-quarters of goods consumed passed through Byerstown. By 1903 Byerstown was reduced to two Chinese stores. Its census population in 1881 was 701, and nothing was recorded in later censuses, until 1933 when 263 people were counted, many of whom were unemployed because of the Great Depression.^[Wikipedia] 

Camp Nearby while exploring Maytown and The Old Coach Road

Palmerville Station has two sites approved for over night camping. A camping permit can be purchased from the online store.

Cannibal Creek Camp ground has facilities, showers, toilets, wifi.

Maytown - Dogleg Creek Camp Ground

Located at Dogleg Creek along the Palmer River banks. Please note there is no facilities at this location. This location is for self contained camping only. 

Book Camp Site Here

Located at Dogleg Creek along the Palmer River banks. Please note there is no facilities at this location. This location is for self contained camping only. 

 PLEASE NOTE: THERE IS NO GOLD FOSSICKING PERMITTED IN THE PALMER GOLD RESERVE