Smithfield

History

Irukandji (also known as Yirrgay, Yurrgay, Yirrgandji, Djabuganjdji and Yirgay) is a language of Far North Queensland, particularly the area around the Kuranda Range and Lower Barron River. The Irukandji language region includes the Cairns Region. Smithfield was first established in 1876, and was a rival for dominance of the area to Cairns at that time. It was named in honour of prospector and explorer, William "Bill" Smith, who had a camp at this place. On Boxing Day 1877, Bill Smith added further notoriety to the town named after him by murdering a man and then shooting himself in the main street. After a devastating flooding of the Barron River on which the settlement was situated during a cyclone in March 1879, the original site was abandoned. Smithfield Provisional School opened on 7 May 1900. On 1 January 1909, it became Smithfield State School. It closed in 1964. Smithfield State High School opened on 24 January 1983. Newman Catholic College opened in 2022 for Year 7 enrolments. By 2027, the college will be providing Years 7 to 12 education.

Geography

Smithfield is about to the north of Cairns City, Queensland, Australia. The Captain Cook Highway passes through Smithfield and the Kuranda Range Road (the first section of the Kennedy Highway) branches from the Captain Cook Highway at Smithfield.

Most-observed species

• Willie-wagtail

  Rhipidura leucophrys (Latham, 1802) · Aves
  16,026
• Masked Lapwing

  Vanellus miles (Boddaert, 1783) · Aves
  15,299
• Magpie-lark

  Grallina cyanoleuca (Latham, 1802) · Aves
  15,290
• Common Myna

  Acridotheres tristis (Linnaeus, 1766) · Aves
  15,227
• Peaceful Dove

  Geopelia placida Gould, 1844 · Aves
  14,585
• Rainbow Lorikeet

  Trichoglossus haematodus (Linnaeus, 1771) · Aves
  13,747
• Welcome Swallow

  Hirundo neoxena Gould, 1842 · Aves
  12,616
• Australasian Figbird

  Sphecotheres vieilloti Vigors & Horsfield, 1827 · Aves
  12,323

Most recent

• M 3.6 — 2011-03-15
  30 km NE of Innisfail Estate, Australia