History of Tiaro

The name ‘Tiaro’ is of aboriginal origins, dhaw-wa or tau-wau translates as

withered or dead tree.

The first attempt at settlement in Tiaro occurred in 1842 when John Eales came

overland with 20 000 sheep to establish a station.

Although not successful, this marked a beginning for Tiaro.

Also at this time Andrew Petrie’s expedition landed in Tiaro having explored the

Mary River. Petrie had been commissioned by the Government to locate the

extent of the Bunya Bunya nut country.

A second expedition manned by Simpson and Eiper visited Eales station in 1843,

their aim being to locate a site for a German mission station.

Although Tiaro Township was surveyed in 1864 it was not until 1867, influenced

by the Gympie Gold rush, that Tiaro became a recognized settlement. The two-

day trip to transport gold from Gympie mines to the river port of Maryborough

was broken by an overnight stop in Tiaro, where the valuable cargo was secured

in the Police Station.

In 1867 a Post Office service commenced, but it was not until 1881, after the

railway had been built, that a full postal service was established.

Local Government had its origins in the Tiaro Divisional Board, established on 11

November 1879. It was another twenty-five years before Tiaro Shire Council

came into existence on 31 March 1903. The boundaries extended from Owanyilla

in the north, to Curra in the south, east from Tinnanbar to the Urah Mountains in

the west.

The Bauple Sugar Mill commenced operations in 1886, servicing the requirements

of the cane farmers throughout the Shire. The mill operated for some fifty-five

years before closing in 1951. From the 1890s onwards Tiaro Shire was the base

for a butter and cheese factory, as well as several juice mills.

The Shire continues to maintain a distinct rural character, the main industries in

the Shire being – sugar cane, dairy and beef cattle, orchards, sawmilling, timber

harvesting and treatment, small crops, vineyards and aquaculture.