Vol 9 in the North Queensland Deserted towns series contains an immigrants description of early Bowen and the establishment of Townsville. It also features the story of the Mari Yaamba Aboriginal mission on the Andromanche River at Proserpine, Mackay’s early sugar mills, Blackbirding, mining at Paluma, the Shrimp battery story, mining lease applications, as well as the Governors visit to Ingham.
It traces the rise and demise of many once prosperous transport and mining towns in these districts. Photos, town plans, maps, information and statistics as well as the stories of the people of these districts. Towns include; Argentine, Barratta, Blackwood, Dullawunna, East Wickham, Elphingstone, Ewan, Hillsborough, Kinnahaird, Mount Britton, Mount Marragan, Murrinda, Newry, Normanby, Ollera, Rothsay, Ross, Sandridge, and Yumbabulla as well as the respective camps.