| Malanda Queensland |
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Malanda Hotel |
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Malanda
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| Population: | 1,009 (2006 Census)[1] |
| Established: | 1908 [2] |
| Postcode: | 4885 |
| Elevation: | 732 m (2,402 ft) |
| Location: | |
| LGA: | Tablelands Region |
| State District: | Dalrymple |
| Federal Division: | Kennedy |
Malanda ( /məˈlændə/)[3] is a medium-sized town on the Atherton Tableland in Far North Queensland, Australia. It is located 85 kilometres (53 mi) from Cairns and 732 metres (2,402 ft) above sea level. Malanda first developed in the 1880s when the discovery of tin and copper at Herberton saw a steady stream of miners and engineers moving over the mountains from the coast. At the 2006 census, Malanda had a population of 1,009.[1]
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The name Malanda is synonymous throughout North Queensland with milk and cheese. Local promoters, noting that Malanda milk is sold in the Northern Territory and as far north as Weipa, declared Malanda to be 'the headquarters for one of the largest and longest milk runs in the world'. The milk is also exported to Indonesia and Malaysia. Malanda Milk is now a part of Dairy Farmers, but with a shorter milk run, only as far south as Mackay and as far north as Darwin.[4]
In 1886 a decision was made to bring a railway into the area but the problems of construction were enormous. Over 3,412 kilometres (2,120 mi) of railway was installed into the region in the next six years. By 1890 it had reached Kuranda. It pushed on to Mareeba in 1893 and Atherton in 1903 and did not reach Malanda until 1911. The line closed in 1964.
In 1908, James English (later the publican of the Malanda Hotel) and James Emerson both moved into the area. Both saw the district's dairy potential. English brought cattle from Kiama and the Richmond River areas in New South Wales and Emerson had a herd of 1,026 cattle overlanded from Lismore. They took 16 months to reach Malanda and only 560 survived the journey. Despite this arduous start the industry grew and by 1919 Malanda had its own butter factory. In 1973 this amalgamated with the factory in Millaa Millaa to form the Atherton Tablelands Co-operative Dairy Association.
In 1910, in response to a developing local industry, John Prince established a sawmill in Malanda. It was from this mill that the boards for the Malanda Hotel (built in 1911) were sawn.
The northern entrance to the town passes the Malanda Falls. In comparison to the spectacular gorges of the escarpment the falls were created by the last flow of lava from the Malanda Shield Volcano with a cascade of only 4 meters. The town's swimming pool lies at the bottom of the falls. The name 'Malanda', according to some sources, was the local Aboriginal word meaning 'waterfalls'.
Malanda is the home town of Socceroos international footballer Shane Stefanutto, who currently represents Lillestrøm SK in the Norwegian Premier League.
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