Bloomfield Region
Bloomfield, 188kms north of Cairns on the coast of Weary Bay, is surrounded by World Heritage and Wet Tropics areas. Bloomfield adjoins Daintree, Cedar Bay and Black Mountain National Parks and is the ideal spot for those who appreciate rainforest and wilderness beaches. It is the perfect stop-over for visitors travelling to “The Tip”.
The climate is tropical and monsoonal, with a wet season extending from November to April and a dry season from May to October. At least 70 animals and more than 700 plants in the Wet Tropics are found nowhere else on earth. Incredible mountain views, cascading waterfalls, majestic rivers, pristine beaches, and great fishing! Just some of the attractions of this area.
History
Bloomfield has its history in the cedar getters who scoured the region in the 1870s searching for the coveted red cedar trees. There followed a steam sawmill and ten miles of tramway including portable track. This was the first railway in the shire. The nearby township of Ayton had a hotel, store and police station.
Coffee, cotton, tobacco and sugarcane were all grown in the region during the late 1800s, however the sugar enterprise closed in 1890 for economic reasons.
An Aboriginal mission, which is now the Wujal Wujal community, was formed in 1885, it was later transferred to the Lutheran Church. The mission was abandoned in 1902.
Fruit, tobacco, rice, coffee, citrus, potatoes, maize and honey continued to be produced in the region at the turn of the century and alluvial tin was sourced from the river. Farming and mining in the region declined during the 20th century and in 1988 the region’s wet tropical rainforests were inscribed on the World Heritage list and commercial logging in the area banned.
Today much of the region remains protected and is one of the best-kept wilderness secrets. It is fast gaining a reputation as a must visit region in Cape York, with unique eco-friendly resorts and accommodation facilities now available to travellers.
