The Herbert River cane crushing season has been a sweet tradition since the late 1800s, when sugarcane first took root in Ingham’s fertile soils. With mills like Macknade (Queensland’s oldest, established in 1874) and Victoria (since 1883), the region has been churning out the sweet stuff for generations. From June to November, it’s full steam ahead as the mills fire up and cane trains choo-choo-se their way through the fields. The sugar industry has long been the backbone of the community—providing jobs, boosting the economy, and stirring up a strong cultural legacy. It’s a grind during harvest, but worth it when things crystallise into success. Despite modern machinery, the local passion remains unrefined—just like the cane before processing. So, as the season kicked off last week, locals know it’s time to stick together, weather the sticky days, and celebrate the sugar rush that’s been part of Hinchinbrook for over a century with their cane train cap on.
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