Malanda, Queensland

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title: "Malanda, Queensland" type: doc version: 1 created: 2026-02-28 author: "Wikipedia contributors" status: active scope: public tags: ["malanda,-queensland", "towns-in-queensland", "populated-places-in-far-north-queensland", "tablelands-region", "localities-in-queensland"] topic_path: "general/malanda-queensland" source: "https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Malanda,_Queensland" license: "CC BY-SA 4.0" wikipedia_page_id: 0 wikipedia_revision_id: 0

::data[format=table title="Infobox Australian place"]

Field	Value
type	town
name	Malanda
state	qld
image	Malanda Hotel, Malanda, Qld.1.jpg
caption	Malanda Hotel
coordinates
pop	2000
pop_year
pop_footnotes
established	1908
postcode	4885
area	44.7
timezone	AEST
utc	+10:00
dist1	19.9
dir1	SE
location1	Atherton
dist2	76.7
dir2	SW
location2	Cairns
dist3	332
dir3	NNW
location3	Townsville
dist4	1746
dir4	NNW
location4	Brisbane
elevation	732
lga	Tablelands Region
stategov	Hill
fedgov	Kennedy
near-n	Peeramon
near-ne	Lake Eacham
near-e	North Johnstone
near-se	Glen Allyn
near-s	Jaggan
near-sw	Upper Barron
near-w	Upper Barron
near-nw	Kureen
::

| type = town | name = Malanda | state = qld | image = Malanda Hotel, Malanda, Qld.1.jpg | caption = Malanda Hotel | coordinates = | pop = 2000 | pop_year = | pop_footnotes = | established = 1908 | postcode = 4885 | area = 44.7 | timezone = AEST | utc = +10:00 | dist1 = 19.9 | dir1 = SE | location1 = Atherton | dist2 = 76.7 | dir2 = SW | location2 = Cairns | dist3 = 332 | dir3 = NNW | location3 = Townsville | dist4 = 1746 | dir4 = NNW | location4 = Brisbane | elevation = 732 | maxtemp = | mintemp = | rainfall = | lga = Tablelands Region | stategov = Hill | fedgov = Kennedy | near-n = Peeramon | near-ne = Lake Eacham | near-e = North Johnstone | near-se = Glen Allyn | near-s = Jaggan | near-sw = Upper Barron | near-w = Upper Barron | near-nw = Kureen Malanda {{IPAc-en|m|ə|ˈ|l|æ|n|d|ə

Geography

::figure[src="https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/3/3e/Rivers_and_lakes,_Malanda,_2024.png" caption="Rivers and lakes, Malanda, 2024"] ::

Malanda is on the Atherton Tableland in Far North Queensland, 85 km from Cairns and 732 m above sea level. The town is located downstream of the Malanda Falls on the North Johnstone River.[[File:Farms and rainforest, Malanda, 2024 01.png|thumb|Farms and rainforest, Malanda, 2024|left]]The northern entrance to the town passes the Malanda Falls. In comparison to the gorges of the escarpment the falls were created by the last flow of lava from the Malanda Shield Volcano with a cascade of roughly 4 metres.

History

::figure[src="https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/9/9a/Views,_Malanda,_2024.png" caption="Malanda landscape, 2024"] ::

Malanda formed part of Ngajanji territory.

The discovery of tin at Herberton resulted in miners passing through the area from the coast to Herberton, opening up the district.

The district was first known as Tutamoulin, but was changed to avoid confusion with Tumoulin, also on the Atherton Tableland. The name Malanda comes from Malanda Creek, and is believed to be an Aboriginal name for the Upper Johnstone River, with the suggested meaning little stream with big stones or running rivers.

In 1886, a decision was made to build a railway into the area. Over 3412 km of railway was installed into the region over the next six years. By 1890, the Tablelands railway line 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 father of Charles English) and James Emerson moved into the area and saw the potential for a dairy industry. 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. The cattle took 16 months to reach Malanda and only 560 survived the journey. However, 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.

John Prince established a sawmill in 1910 in Malanda. It provided the timber to construct the Malanda Hotel in 1911.

Malanda Post Office opened by January 1912 (a receiving office had been open from 1911).

The Malanda parish of the Roman Catholic Diocese of Cairns was established in 1959.

Malanda State School opened on 4 August 1913. From 1949 until 1961, it also offered secondary education, until Malanda State High School opened on 23 January 1961.

The first Malanda Show took place on 6–7 September 1916 on land belonging to James English, with 1000 people attending the show on the second day.

The Malanda Library and Customer Service Centre building opened in 1990.

Demographics

In the , the town of Malanda had a population of 1,009 people.

In the , the locality of Malanda had a population of 2,052 people.

In the , the locality of Malanda had a population of 1,985 people.

In the , the locality of Malanda had a population of 2,000 people.

Heritage listings

::figure[src="https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/c/ce/Queensland_State_Archives_1283_Malanda_Falls_and_Swimming_Pool_NQ_c_1935.png" caption="Malanda Falls and Swimming Pool, circa 1935"] ::

Malanda has a number of heritage-listed sites, including:

• Majestic Picture Theatre, 1 Eacham Place
• Malanda Falls Swimming Pool, Malanda Falls Park
• St James Catholic Church, Monash Ave

Economy

Malanda produces 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.

Education

::figure[src="https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/8/84/Malanda_State_High_School,_Japanese_Gardens,_2024.png" caption="Japanese Gardens at Malanda State High School, 2024"] ::

Malanda State School is a government primary (Prep–6) school for boys and girls at 24 Mary Street (). In 2017, the school had an enrolment of 351 students with 23 teachers (21 full-time equivalent) and 17 non-teaching staff (11 full-time equivalent). In 2018, the school had an enrolment of 380 students with 26 teachers (24 full-time equivalent) and 18 non-teaching staff (12 full-time equivalent). It includes a special education program.

Malanda State High School is a government secondary (7–12) school for boys and girls at Memorial Drive (). In 2017, the school had an enrolment of 368 students with 34 teachers (33 full-time equivalent) and 25 non-teaching staff (18 full-time equivalent). In 2018, the school had an enrolment of 418 students with 38 teachers (37 full-time equivalent) and 29 non-teaching staff (20 full-time equivalent). It includes a special education program.

Amenities

Tablelands Regional Council operates the Malanda Library at 31 James Street, Malanda. It is open Tuesday to Saturday.

The Malanda branch of the Queensland Country Women's Association meets at the QCWA Hall at 3 Elizabeth Street.

St James' Catholic Church is at 7 Monash Avenue. It is within the Malanda Parish of the Roman Catholic Diocese of Cairns.

Attractions

::figure[src="https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/2/24/Malanda_QLD_Bromfield_crater_and_swamp.jpg" caption="language=en-AU}}"] ::

Bromfield Swamp is part of the headwaters of the North Johnstone River. It is the crater of an extinct volcano. It is home to a population of sarus cranes.

The Malanda Mosaic Trail starts at the town library. Ten vibrant artworks commemorate the rich history of Malanda's community – the Original Inhabitants, Hardships and Struggles, Transport, Commerce, Recollections, Early Settlers, the Dairy Industry, Recreation and Looking Ahead. Close study of the individual mosaics (each of which contains a blue butterfly) reveals many details camouflaged in the intricate designs, and the handmade ceramic border tiles tell more about the theme of the central mosaic. Mosaics were made by former resident Felicity Wallis.[[File:Majestic Theatre Malanda.jpg|thumb|Majestic Theatre, 2006]]The Majestic Theatre is said to be the oldest continually-operating cinema in Australia.

The Malanda Hotel has a grand ballroom and staircase.

The Historical Resource Centre in Elizabeth Street is the meeting room and archival repository for all printed and photographic collections of the Eacham Historical Society. It houses a comprehensive library of books pertaining to the history of North Queensland. It holds the Land Settlement Registers, which contain the names of all the first settlers in the Atherton Land Agent's District.

Facilities

Despite the name, Malanda Wastewater Treatment Plant is at 228 English Road in neighbouring Kureen to the north ().

Notable residents

• Charles English, Member of the Queensland Legislative Assembly
• Jack Mundey, trade unionist and conservationist
• Shane Stefanutto, former professional football player for the Brisbane Roar and North Queensland Fury.

References

References

1. "Malanda History | Malanda Falls Visitor Centre | Atherton Tablelands, Queensland, Australia | tourism maps, brochures, tour and accommodation bookings".
2. ''[[Macquarie Dictionary. Macquarie Dictionary, Fourth Edition]]'' (2005). Melbourne, The Macquarie Library Pty Ltd. {{ISBN. 1-876429-14-3
3. {{cite QPN. 20684. Malanda. town in Tablelands Region
4. {{cite QPN. 48739. Malanda. locality in Tablelands Region
5. {{Census 2021 AUS
6. "Malanda Falls Conservation Park".
7. Wallace, Craig. (2007-12-12). "Malanda court decision recognises Ngadjon-Jii people's rights". Queensland Government.
8. (2008-11-25). "Malanda - Culture and History".
9. (2016-03-16). "History of Local Towns".
10. (30 April 1936). "NOMENCLATURE OF QUEENSLAND.—182". [[The Courier-mail]].
11. (11 April 1914). "SKETCHER.". [[The Queenslander]].
12. Premier Postal History. "Post Office List". Premier Postal Auctions.
13. {{Cite QldSchool
14. "Malanda State High School".
15. (2010). "Queensland schools past and present". [[Queensland Family History Society]].
16. (21 September 1916). "Malanda Show.". [[Townsville Daily Bulletin]].
17. Simon Miller. (8 July 2016). "Malanda Show : 100 years of dairying on the Atherton Tablelands".
18. (November 2017). "Queensland Public Libraries Statistical Bulletin 2016–2017". State Library of Queensland.
19. {{Census 2006 AUS
20. {{Census 2011 AUS
21. {{Census 2016 AUS
22. {{cite QHR. 16480. Majestic Picture Theatre. 601743
23. {{cite QHR. 21286. Malanda Falls Swimming Pool. 602733
24. {{cite QHR. 16046. St James Catholic Church & Altar. 601283
25. (8 February 2004). "Malanda – Queensland – Australia". [[The Sydney Morning Herald]].
26. (9 July 2018). "State and non-state school details". [[Queensland Government]].
27. (2019-12-02). "Malanda State School".
28. "ACARA School Profile 2017".
29. "ACARA School Profile 2018". [[Australian Curriculum, Assessment and Reporting Authority]].
30. (2019-05-08). "Malanda State High School".
31. "Malanda Library".
32. "Branch Locations". [[Queensland Country Women's Association]].
33. "Malanda Parish".
34. "Things to do {{!}} Malanda Falls Conservation Park".
35. "Things to do {{!}} Malanda Falls Conservation Park".
36. "Bromfield Swamp, Atherton Tablelands Tropical North Queensland".
37. "Malanda Mosaic Trail".
38. Patterson, Natalie. (15 June 2023). "Open air, drive-ins, theatres: Queensland’s longest-running movie cinemas". [[The Daily Mercury]].
39. (13 July 2016). "Malanda Hotel makes history". The Express.
40. (2016-10-23). "Resources".
41. "Wastewater".
42. "Malanda Sewage Treatment Plant". Queensland Government.
43. (September 2021). "Malanda Wastewater Treatment Plant".

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