Irvinebank is a picturesque rural town located in the western foothills of the Atherton Tablelands in Far North Queensland.
Surrounded by mountain ranges and offering a scenic drive, it is a charming destination for visitors. The town had a population of 125 people in the 2016 census.
The history of Irvinebank is vibrant, with its founding in 1884 by John Moffat. The town was named after Moffat's hometown in Ayrshire, Scotland. It quickly became a thriving town with a strong economy based on mining, milling, and smelting. Moffat built significant infrastructure to attract settlers and miners to the area, including a dam, mill, and smelters.
In 1884, Irvinebank witnessed a massacre of Aboriginal Australians by the Native Police. Moffat alerted authorities, leading to an investigation. Seven troopers were charged with murder, and Sub-inspector Nichols was charged as an accessory. The troopers were later discharged, and Nichols was dismissed from the Native Police. This event marked a turning point away from the indiscriminate killing of Indigenous people in the colony.
Irvinebank boasts several heritage-listed sites, including The Vulcan Mine, Stannary Hills Tramways, Loudoun House, and the Irvinebank State Treatment Works.
Education in Irvinebank is provided by Irvinebank State School, a government primary school offering education from Prep to Year 6. In 2018, the school had a small enrolment of nine students. There are no secondary schools in Irvinebank, with the nearest government secondary schools located in Dimbulah, Herberton, and Atherton.
Basic amenities in Irvinebank include a post office, rural fire station, and cemetery. The Irvinebank Cemetery is located