Macknade Mill, Lucinda

In 1864, European explorer George Dalrymple entered the area, searching for a route to the pastoral runs at the Valley of Lagoons from his newly established port at Hinchinbrook (Cardwell). His enthusiastic description of the land being “…undoubtedly the best suited for the growth of … sugar … in Queensland” and his successful founding of an inland route paved the way for local European settlement and a sugar industry.