The Atherton Tablelands originally had extensive rainforest cover. Although this contained over a 100 species of tree useful to Europeans, including high quality furniture timbers, transporting timber over the range to the coast was difficult.
Yungaburra sawmill was constructed in 1910 when the railway reached Yungaburra, providing ready transport to Cairns for local timber. The mill also provided timber for further construction of the railway. It was operating as Eacham Sawmills in 1918 and was later renamed Cairns Plywood Pty. Ltd in 1940 when a large Capital Lathe from the USA was installed to manufacture veneers and plywood.
Butter production was another important industry on the Atherton Tablelands from 1913 to 1951. The associated Butter Box Factory was used to produce timber boxes for the Malanda Butter Factory, which later became the Malanda Milk Company (attributed with 'the longest milk run in the world', from Malanda to Darwin, which eventually became part of Dairy Farmers Group). The butter box factory ceased producing butter boxes after the Rankine's, who purchased the mill in 1963, found the machinery was so out of alignment they could not make money on butter box production.
The railway branch line to Yungaburra closed in 1963, ending the rail link between the sawmill and Cairns. Many of the trees felled to provide cleared land for closer settlement in the area were burned as they lay.
The mill functioned from the 1910's until it’s World Heritage listing in 1988 during which time it was a major economic driver for the town and immediate district.
The mill has suffered two fires, the first destroying the main sawmill with another one burning down the Butter Box mill in 2004. In 2006 the chimneystack and other structures were destroyed by Cyclone Larry. The last remnants of machinery have been relocated close to the chimneystack on this heritage listed site.
The Cairns Plywood Timber Mill is important in demonstrating the development and decline of the timber industry in Far North Queensland.
For more information, see http://eheritage.metadata.net/record/QLD-600481
To find this cache, you will need to read the interpretive signs displayed around the site. The cache can be found at: S17 16.ABC E145 35.XYZ.
Disasters:
The fire in the main sawmill in 198Y was A years before the mill was World Heritage listed?
The cyclone that toppled the chimney hit the site on the 2X March 2006.
Fire also destroyed the Butter Box Factory in Z 2004.
Sawmilling:
Sliced veneers, approximately 0.B thick, were glued to plywood and particleboard for cabinet making and wall panels.
Steam Power:
The sawmill converted to electric power in 196C.
Please employ stealth when searching for this cache and keep a close eye on children close to the road. This cache is too small for swaps and is BYOP, but there is a small prize for the first to find. Enjoy!