:Malanda, Queensland

File:Rivers and lakes, Malanda, 2024.png

Malanda is on the Atherton Tableland in Far North Queensland, {{convert|85|km|mi}} from Cairns and {{convert|732|m|ft}} above sea level. The town is located downstream of the Malanda Falls on the North Johnstone River.File:Farms and rainforest, Malanda, 2024 01.pngThe 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. The town's unofficial swimming pool lies at the bottom of the falls, as there is an established pool located near the primary school. The name 'Malanda', according to some sources, was the local Aboriginal word meaning 'waterfalls'.{{Citation needed|date=November 2019}}

The Malanda–Atherton Road exits to the northwest, and the Millaa Millaa–Malanda Road exits to the south.{{google maps|url=https://www.google.com.au/maps/place/Malanda+QLD+4885/@-17.373182,145.5034668,12z/data=!3m1!4b1!4m6!3m5!1s0x6978a13ad551492f:0x400eef17f207840!8m2!3d-17.3529963!4d145.5961211!16s%2Fg%2F11bc5rbrn_?entry=tts |title=Malanda, Queensland |access-date=10 August 2023}}

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File:Views, Malanda, 2024.png

Malanda formed part of Ngajanji territory.{{Citation needed|date=November 2024}}

The name Malanda comes from Malanda Creek, and is believed to be an Aboriginal name for the Upper Johnstone River,{{cite news|url=http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article36796135|title=NOMENCLATURE OF QUEENSLAND.—182|date=30 April 1936|newspaper=The Courier-mail|access-date=10 November 2019|issue=832|location=Queensland, Australia|page=12|via=National Library of Australia|archive-date=29 August 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220829203247/https://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/36796135|url-status=live}} with the suggested meaning little stream with big stones or running rivers.{{cite news|url=http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article25505625|title=SKETCHER.|date=11 April 1914|newspaper=The Queenslander|access-date=10 November 2019|issue=2456|location=Queensland, Australia|page=8|via=National Library of Australia|archive-date=26 December 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201226004748/https://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/25505625|url-status=live}}

Malanda first developed in the 1900s after the discovery of tin and copper at Herberton saw a steady stream of miners and engineers moving over the mountains from the coast.{{Citation needed|date=November 2024}}

In 1886, a decision was made to build a railway coming into the area but the problems of construction outweighed its use. Over {{convert|3412|km|mi}} of railway was installed into the region in 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.{{Citation needed|date=November 2024}}

In 1908, James English (later the publican of the Malanda Hotel and father of Charles English) and James Emerson both moved into the area. Both saw the district's dairy potential. 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. They took 16 months to reach Malanda and only 560 survived the journey. Despite this arduous start 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.{{Citation needed|date=November 2024}}

In 1910, in response to a developing local industry, John Prince established a sawmill in Malanda. It was from this mill that the boards for the Malanda Hotel (built in 1911) were sawn.{{Citation needed|date=November 2024}}

Malanda Post Office opened by January 1912 (a receiving office had been open from 1911).{{Cite web | last = Premier Postal History | title = Post Office List | publisher = Premier Postal Auctions | url = https://www.premierpostal.com/cgi-bin/wsProd.sh/Viewpocdwrapper.p?SortBy=QLD&country= | access-date = 10 May 2014 | archive-date = 15 May 2014 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20140515223132/http://www.premierpostal.com/cgi-bin/wsProd.sh/Viewpocdwrapper.p?SortBy=QLD& | url-status = live }}

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

Malanda State School opened on 4 August 1913.{{Cite QldSchool|access-date=18 April 2019}} From 1949 until 1961, it also offered secondary education, until Malanda State High School opened on 23 January 1961.{{Cite web|url=https://malandashs.eq.edu.au/Pages/default.aspx|title=Malanda State High School|access-date=17 January 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180117192545/https://malandashs.eq.edu.au/Pages/default.aspx|archive-date=17 January 2018|url-status=live}}{{Citation|author1=Queensland Family History Society|title=Queensland schools past and present|date=2010|edition=Version 1.01|publisher=Queensland Family History Society|isbn=978-1-921171-26-0}}

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.{{cite news |date=21 September 1916 |title=Malanda Show. |volume=XXXII |page=3 |newspaper=Townsville Daily Bulletin |issue=10,554 |location=Queensland, Australia |url=http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article58910272 |via=National Library of Australia |accessdate=26 May 2022 |archive-date=29 August 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220829203329/https://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/58910272 |url-status=live }}{{Cite SLQ-CC-BY|url=http://onesearch.slq.qld.gov.au/permalink/f/1oppkg1/slq_blogs20947|title=Malanda Show : 100 years of dairying on the Atherton Tablelands|author=Simon Miller|date=8 July 2016|website=Blog|access-date=26 May 2022}}

The Malanda Library and Customer Service Centre building opened in 1990.{{Cite web|url=http://www.plconnect.slq.qld.gov.au/__data/assets/pdf_file/0012/388497/SLQ_StatsBulletin1617_20171109.pdf|title=Queensland Public Libraries Statistical Bulletin 2016–2017|date=November 2017|website=Public Libraries Connect|publisher=State Library of Queensland|access-date=24 January 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180130022546/http://www.plconnect.slq.qld.gov.au/__data/assets/pdf_file/0012/388497/SLQ_StatsBulletin1617_20171109.pdf|archive-date=30 January 2018|url-status=live}}

In the {{CensusAU|2006}}, the town of Malanda had a population of 1,009 people.{{Census 2006 AUS|id=UCL335600|name=Malanda (Urban Centre/Locality)|accessdate=8 June 2011|quick=on}}

In the {{CensusAU|2011}}, the locality of Malanda had a population of 2,052 people.{{Census 2011 AUS|id=SSC30998 |name=Malanda (SSC)|accessdate=8 June 2016|quick=on}}

In the {{CensusAU|2016}}, the locality of Malanda had a population of 1,985 people.{{Census 2016 AUS|id=SSC31752|name=Malanda (SSC)|access-date=20 October 2018|quick=on}}

In the {{CensusAU|2021}}, the locality of Malanda had a population of 2,000 people.{{Census 2021 AUS|id=SAL31737|name=Malanda (SAL)|access-date=28 February 2023|quick=on}}

File:Queensland State Archives 1283 Malanda Falls and Swimming Pool NQ c 1935.png

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

• Majestic Picture Theatre, 1 Eacham Place{{cite QHR|16480|Majestic Picture Theatre|601743|access-date=14 July 2013}}
• Malanda Falls Swimming Pool, Malanda Falls Park{{cite QHR|21286|Malanda Falls Swimming Pool|602733|access-date=14 July 2013}}
• St James Catholic Church, Monash Ave{{cite QHR|16046|St James Catholic Church & Altar|601283|access-date=14 July 2013}}

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.{{cite web|date=8 February 2004|title=Malanda – Queensland – Australia|url=http://www.smh.com.au/news/Queensland/Malanda/2005/02/17/1108500203529.html|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070211230359/http://www.smh.com.au/news/Queensland/Malanda/2005/02/17/1108500203529.html|archive-date=11 February 2007|access-date=31 July 2006|work=The Sydney Morning Herald}}

File:Malanda State High School, Japanese Gardens, 2024.png

Malanda State School is a government primary (Prep–6) school for boys and girls at 24 Mary Street ({{coord|-17.3489|145.5946|type:edu_region:AU-QLD|name=Malanda State School}}).{{cite web |date=9 July 2018 |title=State and non-state school details |url=https://data.qld.gov.au/dataset/state-and-non-state-school-details/resource/5b39065c-df32-415c-994c-5ff12f8de997 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181121065959/https://data.qld.gov.au/dataset/state-and-non-state-school-details/resource/5b39065c-df32-415c-994c-5ff12f8de997 |archive-date=21 November 2018 |access-date=21 November 2018 |publisher=Queensland Government}}{{Cite web |date=2019-12-02 |title=Malanda State School |url=https://malandass.eq.edu.au/ |access-date=2022-08-29 |website=Malanda State School |language=en |archive-date=7 March 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220307120319/https://malandass.eq.edu.au/ |url-status=live }} 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).{{cite web |title=ACARA School Profile 2017 |url=http://www.acara.edu.au/docs/default-source/default-document-library/school-profile-20172c7b12404c94637ead88ff00003e0139.xlsx?sfvrsn=0 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181122010027/http://www.acara.edu.au/docs/default-source/default-document-library/school-profile-20172c7b12404c94637ead88ff00003e0139.xlsx?sfvrsn=0 |archive-date=22 November 2018 |access-date=22 November 2018}} 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).{{cite web|url=https://www.acara.edu.au/docs/default-source/default-document-library/school-profile-2018.xlsx|title=ACARA School Profile 2018|publisher=Australian Curriculum, Assessment and Reporting Authority|access-date=28 January 2020|archive-date=27 August 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200827085246/https://www.acara.edu.au/docs/default-source/default-document-library/school-profile-2018.xlsx|url-status=live}} It includes a special education program.

Malanda State High School is a government secondary (7–12) school for boys and girls at Memorial Drive ({{coord|-17.3590|145.5934|type:edu_region:AU-QLD|name=Malanda State High School}}).{{Cite web |date=2019-05-08 |title=Malanda State High School |url=https://malandashs.eq.edu.au/ |access-date=2022-08-29 |website=Malanda State High School |language=en |archive-date=10 November 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191110123842/https://malandashs.eq.edu.au/ |url-status=live }} 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.

Tablelands Regional Council operates the Malanda Library at 31 James Street, Malanda. It is open Tuesday to Saturday.{{Cite web|url=https://www.trc.qld.gov.au/libraries|title=Malanda Library|access-date=17 January 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140812020457/http://www.trc.qld.gov.au/libraries|archive-date=12 August 2014|url-status=live}}

The Malanda branch of the Queensland Country Women's Association meets at the QCWA Hall at 3 Elizabeth Street.{{Cite web|url=http://www.qcwa.org.au/branch-locations/|title=Branch Locations|publisher=Queensland Country Women's Association|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181226010724/http://www.qcwa.org.au/branch-locations/|access-date=26 December 2018|archive-date=26 December 2018|url-status=dead}}

St James' Catholic Church is at 7 Monash Avenue. It is within the Malanda Parish of the Roman Catholic Diocese of Cairns.{{Cite web|title=Malanda Parish|url=http://www.cairns.catholic.org.au/parishes/malanda.html|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201118141250/http://www.cairns.catholic.org.au/parishes/malanda.html|archive-date=18 November 2020|access-date=18 November 2020|website=Roman Catholic Diocese of Cairns}}

The Malanda Falls Conservation Park is just opposite the Malanda Falls. It offers a short walk through the rainforest and an opportunity to see a wide range of rainforest trees.{{Citation needed|date=November 2020}}

The Peeramon Hotel is {{convert|6|km|mi}} to the east of the town, It was once a siding for the Tolga-Millaa Millaa railway. Today the solitary pub is the only reminder of a once-thriving town which was surveyed in 1907. The publican has a collection of antique telephones. The hotel suffered some serious damage from Cyclone Larry in March 2006.{{Citation needed|date=November 2020}}

The Malanda Art Trail starts at the town library. Nine 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.{{Citation needed|date=November 2020}}

It is possible to swim with platypus at the base of Malanda Falls. The North Johnstone River is free of crocodiles.{{Citation needed|date=November 2020}}

Tree-kangaroos have been seen crossing the road over the top of Malanda Falls.{{Citation needed|date=November 2020}}File:Majestic Theatre Malanda.jpgThe Majestic Theatre is said to be the oldest continually-operating cinema in Australia and has potato-sack seating on 14 December 1929 it was dedicated by Fred Browning, Superintendent of the Atherton Ambulance centre. Mr. Browning produced, stage managed and performed in the opening concert.{{Citation needed|date=November 2020}}

The Malanda Hotel has a grand ballroom and staircase and is claimed to be the largest wooden structure in Australia.{{Citation needed|date=November 2020}}

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. These books are available for perusal and study at the centre by students and members of the general public. Books can be borrowed by members of the society. The Land Settlement Registers, which contain the names of all the first settlers in the Atherton Land Agent's District, are available for perusal and research. The handwritten registers contain a wealth of information about the early settlement of the Atherton tablelands. The Resource Centre is open Tuesday evenings 7.30 pm to 9.30 pm, and Thursday mornings, 9.00 am to noon.{{Citation needed|date=November 2020}}File:Malanda QLD Bromfield crater and swamp.jpg

Despite the name, Malanda Wastewater Treatment Plant is at 228 English Road in neighbouring Kureen to the north ({{Coord|-17.3300|145.6071|type:landmark_region:AU-QLD|name=Malanda Wastewater Treatment Plant}}).{{Cite web |title=Wastewater |url=https://www.trc.qld.gov.au/services-and-facilities/waste-water/ |access-date=2024-09-06 |website=TRC - Tablelands Regional Council |language=en-US |archive-date=18 March 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240318171138/https://www.trc.qld.gov.au/services-and-facilities/waste-water/ |url-status=live }}{{Cite web |title=Malanda Sewage Treatment Plant |url=https://wetlandinfo.des.qld.gov.au/wetlands/assessment/monitoring/point-source-release/sewage-treatment-facilities/malanda/ |access-date=2024-09-06 |website=Wetland Info |publisher=Queensland Government |archive-date=6 September 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240906060407/https://wetlandinfo.des.qld.gov.au/wetlands/assessment/monitoring/point-source-release/sewage-treatment-facilities/malanda/ |url-status=live }}{{Google maps|url=https://www.google.com/maps/@-17.329591,145.6062358,3a,30y,122.22h,88.28t/data=!3m6!1e1!3m4!1sw_R9HXJPZLxGE6qBbJd5rw!2e0!7i16384!8i8192?coh=205409&entry=ttu&g_ep=EgoyMDI0MDkwMy4wIKXMDSoASAFQAw%3D%3D|access-date=6 September 2024|title=Malanda Wastewater Treatment Plant|SV=yes|date=September 2021}}

• 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.

{{Reflist}}

{{Commons category|Malanda, Queensland}}

• {{cite web|url=http://queenslandplaces.com.au/malanda|title=Malanda|publisher=Centre for the Government of Queensland, University of Queensland|website=Queensland Places}}
• [https://gisservices.information.qld.gov.au/arcgis/rest/directories/historicalscans/cad_scans/cad-map-town-malanda-1974.jpg Town map of Malanda, 1974]
• [http://www.malanda.info Destination Malanda]
• [https://web.archive.org/web/20060806022810/http://users.qldnet.com.au/~eachist/ The Eacham Historical Society]

{{Tablelands Region}}

{{Atherton Tableland nav box}}

{{Far North Queensland}}

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Category:Towns in Queensland

Category:Populated places in Far North Queensland

Category:Tablelands Region

Category:Localities in Queensland