Cairns Plywood Pty Ltd Sawmill Complex

The remnant structures of the Yungaburra Sawmill on the edge of town are reminder of a large complex that was the economic backbone of the district. The township of Yungaburra evolved around the railway line that was built here in 1910. The Williamson brothers, who already operated a sawmill at nearby Tolga, relocated their equipment to Yungaburra around 1911. Their business took on new partners in 1916, forming Eacham Sawmills. Around 1932 the company was taken over by Brett and Co from Brisbane which established a plywood factory and butter box factory. Further merges in 1938, created the Cairns Plywood Company, which continued to expand its plywood manufacture for export. The butter box component of the business was important through to the time the business changed hands in 1963. It was run by Rankine brothers from that time until the 1988 declaration of World Heritage Listing of the North Queensland Wet Tropics Rainforest. A number of misfortunes have occurred since then. The butter box mill burnt down in 2004, and the chimney stack and other structures were destroyed by Cyclone Larry in March 2006. Remnant machinery has been relocated close to the chimney stack. Interpretation signage explains the site.