About Us
Innisfail Weather Live keeps you up to date with the latest weather information affecting the Cassowary Coast Region from Cardwell to Innisfail and also to Babinda. Innisfail is a town located in the far north of the state of Queensland, Australia, which until 1910 was known as Geraldton. It is the major township of the Cassowary Coast and is well renowned for its sugar and banana industries, as well as for being one of Australia's wettest towns. In March 2006 Innisfail gained worldwide attention when severe Tropical Cyclone Larry passed over causing extensive damage and most recently severe Tropical Cyclone Yasi which crossed the coast near Mission Beach south of Innisfail in February 2011.
Geography
Innisfail's town centre is situated at the junction of the North and South Johnstone Rivers,
approximately 5 km (3 min) from the coast.
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It is located near large tracts of old-growth tropical rainforest surrounded by
vast areas of extensive farmlands.
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Queensland's highest mountain, Mount Bartle Frere; part of Australia's Great Dividing Range,
is 15 kilometres (9 min) to the north.
Innisfail in the Cassowary Coast Regional Shire (population 18,000, town of 9,000) is positioned in the heart of the Cassowary Coast and is situated 88km south of Cairns and 260km north of Townsville. Both those cities have direct air access to overseas markets.
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Innisfail in the Cassowary Coast Regional Shire (population 18,000, town of 9,000) is positioned in the heart of the Cassowary Coast and is situated 88km south of Cairns and 260km north of Townsville. Both those cities have direct air access to overseas markets.
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Cairns is Australia's fastest growing domestic and international airport destination, with all major airlines both passenger and freight using these facilities. Innisfail maintains an all-weather airport.
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The area is well serviced by road, rail, air and sea. All the major coach companies
provide daily connections north and south.
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Innisfail is on the Bruce Highway and the Palmerston Highway connects us to the west with Atherton Tablelands (and beyond to the Gulf Savannah). It directly accesses over 101,000 sq. kms of highly productive land - grains, tobacco, potatoes, mangoes, avocado and dairy products being produced. Smaller productions of melons, coffee, show the diversity of produce available.
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It is fast becoming the service centre for the region between Townsville and Cairns with most major chain stores having a presence. These include Coles, Woolworths, IGA Express, Kmart, Country Target, Bunnings, Home Hardware, Harvey Norman, Betta Electrical, Super Cheap Auto. Also national food chains like Macdonalds, KFC, Hungry Jacks and Subway add to the many local eateries giving the residents.
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Our International deep water port at Mourilyan Harbour caters for cargo and freight ships and is being used for a sugar handling facility, with ships up to a draught of 8 metres being able to enter.
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The region, first settled more than 110 years ago, developed as a sugar growing and timber producing area. Sugar is still the economic base, with total sugar revenue having a gross value in excess of $87 million, and total cane revenue valued at $55 million.
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There are approximately 180 papaya growers with an area of about 500 hectares. Innisfail papaya growers have moved to ensure quality standards are maintained for fruit sold under the 'Innisfail Naturally Ripened' red sticker. The Innisfail Papaya Growers Assoc. has had a Quality Standard wall chart developed which shows the minimum standard of fruit to be labelled with the sticker. The red sticker has proved very successful in giving Innisfail.
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The majority of the banana farms in the Cassowary Coast region can grow a wide range of horticultural crops. The plentiful water and warm weather are necessary for fruits like Papaya, Passionfruit, Lychee and Rambutan to produce high quality fruit that regularly fetch above average prices at the market.
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Beside the major fruit crops there are plantings of a wide range of other fruits, vegetables and spices. Purple Mangosteen, Taro, Pummelo, Abiu, Star Apple, Carambola, Pepper, Choko, Sapodilla, Longan, Black Persimmon, Jakfruit, Lemon Grass and Turmeric are Ornamental horticulture is a growing industry with many businesses having established interstate and future export markets. Heliconias are grown locally to serve local & interstate markets.
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Many facets of aquaculture production are in operation, producing prawns and barramundi. There are ready overseas markets for the hatched prawns being produced.
