March 11, 2025

Did You Know

Only 350 kilometres of road connects Townsville to Cairns, this is Tropical North Queensland.  Here 115km north of Townsville on a road sandwiched between World Heritage listed National Parks, towering cane, rainforest waterfalls and magnificent beaches you will find Ingham.

William Bairstow Ingham bought a sugar plantation in 1874 on the Herbert River and by petition the following year the township was named in his honor. The first Italians arrived in Ingham in 1891, followed by a steady wave between 1900 and 1920.

These hardworking pioneers were the backbone of Ingham’s sugarcane industry, cutting cane by hand and driving its success. Their dedication not only sustained the industry but also shaped the town’s identity. Today, with more than half of Ingham’s population of Italian descent, it’s no surprise the town is often affectionately called ‘Little Italy.’