Northern Region

Northern Region Mills

The Northern Region wiki page details the extensive sugar milling operations situated along the tropical coast of Queensland, stretching from the recently closed Mossman Central Mill in the far north down to the high yielding Tully Sugar Mill in the south. This section provides historical and operational insights into key facilities, including the unique inland Tableland Mill and the enduring Mulgrave Central Mill in Gordonvale, while also documenting the legacies of closed sites such as Hambledon, Babinda, Mourilyan and Goondi. The collection serves to illustrate the evolution of the local industry over more than a century, highlighting how economic rationalisation and natural events have transformed the landscape from a series of scattered independent producers into the centralised network seen today.

Mossman Central Mill (Closed)

This mill ceased operations in early 2024 after entering liquidation, which ended more than 130 years of sugar production in the Douglas Shire. The 2025 crop was transported to the Mulgrave mill for processing as the local community transitioned toward alternative agricultural industries and diversified land use.

Hambledon Sugar Mill (Closed)

Established in 1883 by Thomas Swallow and later owned by CSR, this facility was a cornerstone of the Edmonton community for over a century. It closed in 1991 due to urban encroachment from the expanding Cairns suburbs, and the site has since been transformed into a residential estate and the Sugarworld water park.

Tableland Mill

Located near Mareeba, this is the only mill in the region situated on the Atherton Tableland rather than the coastal plain. It is operated by MSF Sugar and features a 24 megawatt green energy plant that converts bagasse into renewable electricity for the local grid during the crushing season.

Mulgrave Central Mill

Operating since 1896 in Gordonvale, this mill is a primary industrial hub for the Cairns region and is currently owned by MSF Sugar. It remains a vital part of the local economy and has recently taken on the additional responsibility of processing cane from the now closed Mossman district.

Babinda Central Sugar Mill (Closed)

This mill operated from 1915 until its closure in 2011, which followed significant damage from Cyclone Yasi and a period of low global sugar prices. The facility was demolished in 2013, and the town has since focused its economic efforts on tourism and diverse tropical fruit production.

Mourilyan Sugar Mill (Closed)

Founded in 1884, this mill was one of the oldest in the state until it was severely damaged by Cyclone Larry in 2006. Its owners, Bundaberg Sugar, decided to close the facility permanently, resulting in the transfer of all local cane harvests to the nearby South Johnstone mill for processing.

Goondi Sugar Mill (Closed)

Opened by CSR in 1885 near Innisfail, this mill served the Johnstone River area for 102 years. It was closed in 1987 as part of industry rationalisation, despite initial opposition from local growers who were eventually required to redirect their harvests to Mourilyan and South Johnstone.

South Johnstone Sugar Mill

This mill was established as a government enterprise in 1916 and remains a vital processing centre for the Cassowary Coast today. It is currently operated by MSF Sugar and supports an extensive network of growers throughout the southern sections of the Johnstone River catchment.

Tully Sugar Mill

Commissioned in 1925, Tully was the last major coastal sugar mill built in Queensland and remains one of the largest and highest yielding in the country. It is now a wholly owned subsidiary of the agribusiness company COFCO and benefits from the consistently high rainfall found in the Tully and Murray River valleys.