The historic goldrush town of Croydon is located in the heart of the Gulf Savannah, 562 km west of Cairns.
When first settled in the 1880s Croydon was a large pastoral holding covering an area of approximately 5,000 km2. Gold was discovered in 1885 and by 1887, the town's population had reached a staggering 7,000.
Gold was to be the mainstay of the district for four decades. The Mining Warden left in 1926 as there were too few miners left on the field. During its heyday, Croydon was the fourth largest town in the colony of Queensland.
Today restoration and conservation is ongoing on the town's historical sites:
- The Old Police Precinct with Jail. The Police Station houses a photographic display "Discover Croydon".
- The Heritage listed Courthouse c. 1887
- Town Hall with Movie Projection Equipment
- Federation Park with unique steel artworks depicting the natural and cultural heritage of the Croydon area.
- Old Hospital Ward - now a conference centre
- Static Mining Machinery
- The Mine Museum with a recently restored Gold Milling Stamper
- Chinese Temple - archaeological site
- Gulflander Railmotor weekly from Croydon to Normanton (established in 1891)
- Cemetery with Chinese section (4 cemeteries accessible)
- Croydon's historic Club Hotel - the only remaining license of the original 122 issued on the gold fields.
Many mining machinery relics lie in and around Croydon - a Mining Musuem is to be found outside the Shire offices in Samwell Street and the Working Mine display features a restored stamper and miner's hut.
The Croydon Police Station has undergone recent conservation work and now houses a photographic display "Discover Croydon".
Along with the Police Station there is the Police Sergeant's residence which houses the Croydon Visitor Information Centre (site of the office for Savannah Guide Interpreter), and the old gaol.
Walking Tours
Lifelong resident and Savannah Guides site interpreter, Chris Weirman, takes regular walking tours of the Historic Precinct. Chris is a mine of information, having guided in Croydon for 17 years.
The historic buildings and sites are fascinating to explore. Chris can provide many an interesting story to bring the gold mining era to life including:
- Tales of the Town and People
- Stories of the National Trust Buildings
- Historic Gold Milling Relics
- Fossils and Minerals
Tour times are 10.00am / 2.00pm / 4.00pm. All tours leave from the Visitor Information Centre. Bookings are not necessary. Tour coaches can be accommodated; custom tours can be arranged. Please contact us for details.
Local Attractions
At the Chinese Temple archaeological site, on the road to Lake Belmore, there are the remains of a large pig roasting oven - used during Chinese celebrations and feasts. The site has numerous interpretive signs and biographies of Chinese families who lived here.
ANZAC Federation Park features a series of steel sculptures focusing on the role of Aboriginal culture, Chinese settlers and the pastoral industry in Croydon's heritage. The park is on the corner of Samwell and Aldridge Streets.
The savannah has a diverse and interesting range of flora with a stark contrast between the wet and dry seasons of the year. The Kapok tree flowers mid year. Local Aboriginal people used the root as a medicine and refer to it as a wild cotton tree.
This area is a birdwatcher's paradise with the savannah providing swampland, open grass plains, savannah bushland and extensive waterways. Croydon is renowned for the flocks of pink and grey galahs that live in and around the town area.
Lake Belmore was constructed in 1995 and is now the water supply for the town of Croydon. The lake is being regularly stocked for fishing and is the ideal spot for swimming, skiing, birdwatching and BBQ's. Toilets and a children's playground make it a great place to spend the day.
Croydon lies 148 km west of Georgetown and 152 km south east of Normanton on the Savannah Way, the sealed highway from Cairns to Normanton.
The Gulflander - otherwise known as the Tin Hare - travels between Croydon and Normanton once a week. The ride is an experience for the many visitors as it travels across the savannah environment. Bookings: 07 4745 1391 or 07 4745 1309.
Location
Tour Contact Details