Mossman, Queensland

Mossman Queensland
Mossman
Population:	1,740 (2006 Census)[1]
Postcode:	4873
Elevation:	4 m (13 ft)
Location:	78 km (48 mi) from Cairns 1896 km (1,178 mi) from Brisbane 2482 km (1,542 mi) from Sydney
LGA:	Cairns Region
State District:	Cook
Federal Division:	Leichhardt
Mean max temp Mean min temp Annual rainfall 27.9 °C 82 °F 20.6 °C 69 °F 2,013.2 mm 79.3 in

For the collection of Horsedrawn Carriages see Mossman Collection

Mossman is a town in Far North Queensland, Australia, on the Mossman River. At the 2006 census, Mossman had a population of 1,740.^[1]

Originally known as Mosman — the name was changed to avoid confusion with the Sydney suburb of Mosman — it is located on the Captain Cook Highway 75 km north of the regional city of Cairns, and 15 km east of the Mount Carbine Tableland. Mossman Gorge, a popular attraction within Daintree National Park, is located west of town. Sugar cane farming is an important aspect of the local economy, with Mossman Central Mill, the only sugar mill in the district, processing the cane before sending it to Cairns for shipping domestically and internationally.

The establishment and subsequent growth of Cairns and the completion of the Cairns Railway up through the Barron Gorge in 1891, gave a more direct gateway to the hinterland but, at this period, it was found that the Mossman district contained suitable land for sugar-growing. The establishment of the sugar mill at Mossman formed the nucleus of the town, which grew at the expense of Port Douglas.

The district was served by two separate 2 foot (610 mm) gauge tramway systems.^[2] Both at one time handled passengers and general goods, as well as sugar cane. Mossman district owes its present prosperity to these tramways which pioneered the first reasonable transport in the neighbourhood, for trafficable roads followed later.

Mossman has five primary schools in its district and only one high school. Mossman was once the seat of the former Shire of Douglas but now falls under the amalgamted Cairns Region which is presently administered from both Cairns and Mossman. Mossman is rich in sporting clubs such as the Mossman Sharks rugby league club and the Port Douglas AFL club.

References

1. ^ ^{a b} Australian Bureau of Statistics (25 October 2007). "Mossman (Urban Centre/Locality)". 2006 Census QuickStats. http://www.censusdata.abs.gov.au/ABSNavigation/prenav/LocationSearch?collection=Census&period=2006&areacode=UCL341000&producttype=QuickStats&breadcrumb=PL&action=401. Retrieved 13 June 2011. 
2. ^ The Cane Tramways of Mossman Singleton, C.C. Australian Railway Historical Society Bulletin, March, 1956 pp25-32

External links

• University of Queensland: Queensland Places: Mossman
• Town information from the Sydney Morning Herald

Queensland portal

Coordinates: 16°27′S 145°22′E / 16.45°S 145.367°E / -16.45; 145.367