Palmer, Queensland facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Palmer Queensland
Gold mining dredge on the Palmer River
Palmer Location in Queensland
Population	46 (2021 census)
• Density	0.00599/km2 (0.0155/sq mi)
Postcode(s)	4892
Area	7,682.4 km2 (2,966.2 sq mi)
Time zone	AEST (UTC+10:00)
LGA(s)	Shire of Cook
State electorate(s)	Cook
Federal Division(s)	Leichhardt
Suburbs around Palmer: Maramie Dixie Laura Maramie Palmer Lakeland Groganville Gamboola Mount Mulgrave Highbury

Palmer is a small rural area in Queensland, Australia. It is part of the Shire of Cook. In 2021, only 46 people lived there.

Palmer is famous for its history during the gold rush days. Many old towns that were once busy with gold miners are now part of Palmer. These include Byerstown, Lukinville, Maytown, Palmerville, and Stonyville. These towns grew in the 1870s and 1880s because of the gold found near the Palmer River.

Exploring Palmer's Geography

The Palmer River is a major feature of this area. It flows right through Palmer from east to west. This river was very important during the gold rush.

A special protected area, the Palmer River Goldfields Resource Reserve, is located in the eastern part of Palmer. It is north of the river. This reserve helps protect the natural environment and historical gold mining sites.

A Glimpse into Palmer's Past

Traditional Owners and Language

The land where Palmer is located has a long history. It is the traditional home of the Yalanji people. Their language is also known as Kuku Yalanji.

The Yalanji people have lived in this part of Far North Queensland for thousands of years. Their traditional lands stretch from the Mossman River in the south to the Annan River in the north.

How Palmer Got Its Name

The name "Palmer" comes from the Palmer River. This river flows through the area and was central to the gold discoveries.

The river was named on August 5, 1872. It was named by William Hann after Arthur Hunter Palmer. At that time, Arthur Hunter Palmer was the Premier of Queensland, a very important political leader.

The Gold Rush Era

The Palmer area became famous because of the gold rush. In the 1870s, many people came here hoping to find gold. This led to the creation of several mining towns.

These towns, like Maytown and Palmerville, were once busy places. Today, they are mostly ruins, but they tell the story of a very exciting time in Queensland's history.

Who Lives in Palmer Today?

The population of Palmer is very small. In 2016, there were almost no people living there. However, by 2021, the population had grown slightly to 46 people.

Places of Historical Importance

Palmer has several sites that are protected because of their historical value. These are called heritage-listed sites. They help us remember the past.

Some of these important places include:

• The Wild Irish Girl Mine and Battery in the Conglomerate Range.
• The Laura to Maytown Coach Road, an old road used by coaches.
• The Maytown Township Reserve, which protects the old town site.
• The Alexandra Mine and Battery at Palmerville Station.
• The Stonyville Township site at Stony Creek.
• The Palmer River Gold Company Dredge at Strathleven, a machine used for mining gold.

Things to See and Do in Palmer

If you visit the Palmer River Goldfield Resource Reserve, you can explore old gold mines. You might see rusting machinery left over from the gold rush. You can also find traces of the old Maytown township. It's like stepping back in time to see where miners lived and worked.