Georgetown (Queensland)

Georgetown is a town and locality in the Shire of Etheridge, Queensland, Australia. In the 2011 census, Georgetown had a population of 243 people.GeographyGeorgetown is on the Etheridge River in Far North Queensland, Australia. The Gulf Developmental Road passes through the town, linking Cairns - 380km to the east - and Normanton - 301km to the west. Georgetown is the administrative headquarters of the Shire of Etheridge, a local government area encompassing the nearby settlements of Mount Surprise, Forsayth and Einasleigh.HistoryThe Etheridge River was the site of a gold rush in the 1870s; the town of Georgetown was established on the site of the diggings. Originally known by the name Etheridge, the town's name was changed in 1871 to honour an early gold commissioner, Howard St George. Georgetown Post Office opened on 15 January 1872. Georgetown State School opened on 14 Sep 1874.By 1900 grazing had replaced gold mining as the region's primary source of income.At the 2006 census, Georgetown had a population of 254.Heritage listingsGeorgetown has a number of heritage-listed sites, including: Gulf Developmental Road: Aspasia Mine and Battery South Street: Antbed House