Lappa

History

Silver was discovered in the area in 1891 by the Halpin Brothers. The town has had several name changes in its relatively short existence. Originally named Lappa Lappa by Queensland Railways after the nearby silver, lead and zinc mines this name is the Aboriginal name for a large rock bluff there. One of the Lappa's was dropped over the years but then Lappa Junction became the local name and survived until 1943 it was shortened to Lappa once more. The Chillagoe branch railway line was a private railway built for the Chillagoe Railway and Mining Company. Starting at Mareeba, the line reached Lappa Junction on 1 October 1900 and was subsequently extended to Mungana. It was taken over the Queensland Government in 1919. In 1904, the population was 200–300 men.

Geography

Lappa is on the Burke Developmental Road which runs roughly east to west to the immediate north of the town. To the south of the town is the Lappa railway station which is on the Savannahlander route. Heading south is the road to Mount Garnet. The Lappa-Mount Garnet Road which was formerly a train line (which closed in 1961), which was built following Abdul Wade's camel track and is today a popular 4 wheel drive and mountain biking trail.

Most-observed species

• Pied Butcherbird

  Cracticus nigrogularis (Gould, 1837) · Aves
  26
• Blue-faced Honeyeater

  Entomyzon cyanotis (Latham, 1801) · Aves
  23
• Red-winged Parrot

  Aprosmictus erythropterus (Gmelin, 1788) · Aves
  22
• Striated Pardalote

  Pardalotus striatus (Gmelin, 1789) · Aves
  22
• Rainbow Lorikeet

  Trichoglossus haematodus (Linnaeus, 1771) · Aves
  20
• Australian Magpie

  Gymnorhina tibicen (Latham, 1802) · Aves
  20
• Noisy Friarbird

  Philemon corniculatus (Latham, 1790) · Aves
  18
• Laughing Kookaburra

  Dacelo novaeguineae (Hermann, 1783) · Aves
  17