Living in Edmonton Queensland

Edmonton Qld is a town in Far North Queensland. Once a small sugar town, this Edmonton is fast becoming a suburb of nearby Cairns. ‘Edmonton Queensland’ or ‘Edmonton Australia’ is often used, to avoid confusing the town with the Canadian metropolis of the same name.

However, geographically, the Australian Edmonton could not be more different from its Canadian namesake. Edmonton Qld is a tropical town. Located on latitude 17, Edmonton lies half way between Cairns CBD and nearby the town of Gordonvale.

Edmonton Queensland Map

Edmonton Qld History

In 1882 Thomas Swallow, a Melbourne biscuit maker, established the Hambledon plantation (including a sugar mill) west of Edmonton. This was the precursor to the growth of the sugar industry in the area.

The ‘Hambledon Mill’ was later taken over by the mighty Colonial Sugar Refining Company (CSR). By the 1940s, more houses were built next to the mill (for mill staff), all owned and paid for by the CSR.

Located almost halfway between Gordonvale and Cairns, Edmonton Queensland developed into a small country town. Consequently, it was typical of most Queensland country towns throughout the 20th century.

By the 1950s the town had two pubs, the Hambledon Hotel and the Grafton Hotel. The main sources of employment were a meat-works on the outskirts of town and the Hambledon Sugar Mill. Additionally, the town had a strong sense of community, which characterised most Queensland towns of the era.

This mill community, while owned by CSR, was what the staff made of it. Hence, CSR employees built their own swimming pool and tennis courts to enhance the area. ‘Mill houses’ were overwhelmingly occupied by white-collar staff such as accountants, chemists and managers.

However, the meat-works and the sugar mill were closed in the late 20th century, leaving Edmonton as a de-facto southern suburb of the nearby city of Cairns.

Is Edmonton Cairns a Good Place to Live

There are high levels of community infrastructure and an array of services available to support Edmonton residents.

Sustainable Transport

The suburb is well serviced by the state funded bus service. Indeed there are numerous bus stops in the suburb.

In addition, the area is well services by ‘shared pathways’. Consequently, these pathways support cycle and pedestrian access. In addition they get you to the Cairns Southern Access Cycleway. This cycleway provides safe off-road cycle access into Cairns CBD or south all the way to Gordonvale.

Hambledon State School

Edmonton is fortunate to have two state funded primary schools. Indeed Hambledon State School has a rich heritage and was established over 100 years ago.

Subsequently, Isabella State School was established early this century and like its older neighbour, it boosts modern facilities.

Autism Queensland opened an Education & Therapy Centre in the town in 2019. Indeed it is located in Marr Street, right next to Hambledon State School.

Edmonton Queensland Parks

The site of the former Hambledon Mill is now the home of Sugarworld Parklands. There are a number of other Council parks in the suburb. They include:

• Allan and May Oliver Park
• Down Park
• Fuller Park
• Jashar Park
• Ravizza Park

Sport and Recreation

Edmonton Qld is well provided for in terms of sport and recreation facilities. Indeed the PCYC building on Walker Road provides a home for many functions and recreational activities.

In addition, directly next door, Walker Road sporting complex is home to many of the sporting clubs in the area.

Edmonton Cairns Crime

There are pockets of significant social disadvantage in the suburb. These problems are exacerbated by a lack of social services to many of the disadvantaged youth in the suburb. This has led to ‘spikes’ in the rates of youth crime, which most often manifests as property theft and stolen motor vehicles.

Edmonton Queensland things to do

People in Edmonton have many options available for recreation and entertainment. From the shops, trail riding and a wide array of sports to hiking and enjoying local parks and the world heritage listed wilderness.

Edmonton Qld Shops

Piccones is the oldest and most well-known supermarket in the town. There are also a number of businesses along the highway, constituting somewhat of a commercial strip.

An addition to Edmonton shopping is the Coles Sugarworld supermarket in West Edmonton. It was built as a response to population growth in this part of town. More recently a McDonald’s and a medical practice has been established in West Edmonton.

Edmonton Cairns Map

Edmonton Queensland Real Estate

You can always find properties for sale in Edmonton, including commercial, industrial and residential properties.

Edmonton Queensland houses for sale

There are always houses for sale, include old Queenslanders, bungalows and more recently, villas and apartments. The construction of apartment buildings has increased population density in the suburb and increased options for those looking to buy.

Government of Edmonton Queensland

Edmonton Qld is located in the Local Government Municipality of Cairns Regional Council. The town also lies within the traditional lands of the Gimuy Walubara Yidinji people. Consequently these Aboriginal people are the Traditional Owners of the land.

The town is located in the state Electorate of Mulgrave in the Queensland Parliament. In short, this electorate was first created in 1950 for the election held that year. This century Mulgrave has had only two MPs. Firstly Warren Pitt (1998 to 2009) and subsequently his son Curtis Pitt (2009 to 2022).

The federal MP is the renegade Member for Kennedy Bob Katter.

Edmonton Qld Identities

Fran Lindsay

Fran Lindsay entered Mulgrave Shire Local Council as an elected Councillor in 1991. Subsequently, she enjoyed 17 years working with the Edmonton and wider community. Prior to the Amalgamation with Cairns City, Mulgrave was a very hands on Council with monthly inspections by all Councillors and Staff to see problems identified by residents.

Lou Piccone

Edmonton Queensland has produced many well known people. Indeed this includes the Piccone family, well known as owners of the local supermarket and for their community philanthropy.

Upon settling in Edmonton, the Piccone family got to business, starting with a share in the local butchery and bakery. Following the interruption of the second world war, the family’s business enterprise continued to grow and diversify with the addition of a grocery store to their successful butchery and bakery.

Later (in 1957) the management of the Piccone business enterprise was handed to Luigi Jnr (commonly known as Lou). Years later in 2020 Lou passed away and the family business continues, with his sons Peter and John at the helm.

Tom Pyne

Thomas Alfred Pyne AO (Tom Pyne) of Edmonton Qld was an Australian politician. First he was the Chairman of the Shire of Mulgrave from 1979 to 1995. Following the amalgamation of Mulgrave with the City of Cairns, he became Mayor of Cairns from 1995 to 2000.

Rob Pyne

Tom Pyne’s son Rob Pyne is also well-known. Indeed, he was elected to State Parliament as the Member for Cairns and served on Cairns Regional Council for a period of 10 years. So this is his ‘Southside Story’, revealed in an interview with Alicia from Hambledon House.

Rob is also author of Struggle and Resistance in the Far North.

Relevant Content

• Bentley Park
• Gordonvale
• Mount Peter
• Mount Sheridan
• White Rock
• Woree
• Wrights Creek

Other Relevant Material

• Cairns West
• Central Cairns
• Mount Whitfield Suburbs
• North Cairns
• South Cairns

Cairns