Ingham, a large, tropical town of gardens on the Herbert River, is set apart from other sugar centres of the north by its distinctive Mediterranean flavour - a legacy of an influx of Italians, Basques and Spaniards who migrated in the twilight of the 19th century to work in the canefields.
The major town in Hinchinbrook Shire, Ingham is recognised as the gateway to the wet tropics and it is surrounded by World Heritage-listed wilderness. Visitors can sample that wilderness with a 45km drive to the mountain setting of the Abergowrie State Forest or, closer to hand, explore stunning Hinchinbrook Island - the world’s biggest island national park.
Part of the Abergowie complex, Broadwater State Forest Park is surrounded by a mosaic of pine plantations, native bush and rainforest. The park has picnic and camping facilities and the clear flowing creek waters offer swimming and fishing opportunities.
To the west of Ingham are Wallaman Falls on Stony Creek, which drop 305m down a vertical rock gorge as the waters make their way to the Herbert River. A lookout off the access road provides stunning vews of the falls.
