Regions

The Hodgkinson Goldfield was a historic gold-mining region centred on the Hodgkinson River in Far North Queensland, approximately 80 km west of Cairns. The field was predominantly a reefing or lode-mining district, with major mining activity concentrated around the townships of Thornborough, Kingsborough and Northcote. Gold was discovered in the Hodgkinson River area in early 1876, with James Venture Mulligan leading one of the prospecting parties. The discovery triggered a major rush, with approximately 2,000 people reportedly working on the field by April 1876. The Hodgkinson Goldfield was officially proclaimed on 15 June 1876. Mining activity expanded rapidly, with new townships, crushing machinery, businesses and transport routes developing around the field. The field differed from the nearby Palmer Goldfield because it was primarily a reefing field rather than a large alluvial producer. Early alluvial workings were followed by increasing interest in quartz reefs and underground mining. Mining activity remained significant through the late nineteenth century, with intensive activity continuing until approximately the 1890s. Mining continued intermittently into the twentieth century. In 1909, the Hodgkinson was incorporated into the Chillagoe Gold and Mineral Field. The region contains numerous historic mining sites and former settlements, including Tyrconnell, Thornborough, Kingsborough, Northcote and other abandoned mining communities.

4 periods of significance