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.
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