Settlements of Australia and the Noosa Shire

  • First Europeans Came to the Area

    The first Europeans to visit the area were believed to be escaped convicts from the Brisbane penal settlement. They were believed to have lived with the Aboriginal people before returning back to the penal settlement. Three of these convicts were John Graham, aka Moilow, David Bracewell, aka Wandi (a great talker), and James Davis, aka Durrumboi (kangaroo rat), as they were known by their native friends.
  • First European Settlers Arrived

    The first European Settlers, consisting of mainly wood-cutters and cattle pioneers, arrived in the area and created a settlement.
  • Yandina Cattle Run Established

    The Yandina Cattle Station was established as the Yandina Cattle Run by brothers Daniel and Zachariah Skyring.
  • Yandina Cattle Run Becomes Head Stations for Four Other Cattle Runs

    Yandina Cattle Run grew and became the head of four other cattle runs, Yandina, Canando, Whidlka-Whidlka and Pooreema.
  • Queensland and New South Wales Separate

  • Saw-milling operations began in what is now known as Tewantin

    Dauwadhun, 'place of dead logs' became known as Tewantin - after the saw-milling operations.
  • First European Woman Settles on the Sunshine Coast

    Scotland-born Christina married James Low and settled in the Sunshine Coast, becoming the first European woman to settle there.
  • Timber Getters from the Maroochy Area Begin to Chop Down Trees from the Ranges

    Timber Getters had made their way up the Noosa River through lakes Cooroibah, Cootharaba and Cooloola, had followed Kin Kin Creek west into the ranges and begun felling the big cedars, kauri, hoop pine and beech.
  • Gympie Goldfields open

  • Cobb and Co. passed through Yandina Run

    They passed through on their maiden run to the Gympie Goldfields and continued to use that route for 11 years.
  • James Low Clears a Road From Dunethin Rock to the Goldfields

    This road passes along the present-day Valdora Road. James Low was an important businessman, who also established the first post office and became post master
  • The Town of Yandina was Proclaimed

    Yandina was the first gazetted town in the Maroochy district.
  • Numbers of Mill Workers Released by the Courier

    An article from the Courier stated that less than 50 workers were estimated to be working at Noosa and that they had cut three and a half million feet in a season. Nine years later, in 1886, the numbers were estimated to be over 100.
  • Queenslander Article Releases Numbers of Workers

    The Queenslander released an article stating that around 100 workers were employed directly or indirectly by the mill.
  • Forests Cleared for Banana Farming

    By this time, 10018 Acres were cleared for banana farms alone.
  • Cattle Numbers in the Gympie District and Noosa Region

    By 1935, 75 164 cattle across 1461 Dairy farms in the Gympie District and Noosa Region were surveyed.