| Cost | Free |
|---|---|
| Location | 20km west of Georgetown, QLD on Gulf Development Road |
| Pet Friendly | See Camps App |
| Campfires | See Camps App |
| Facilities | Long drop toilet, bird watching area near waterhole |
| Vehicle Access | Large area suitable for multiple RVs |
| In Camps App | Yes – Check for full details |
Cumberland is a ghost town the Shire of Etheridge in Queensland , located approximately 20 kilometres (12 mi) west of Georgetown on the Gulf Development Road.
It’s a great free overnight stop with a large area to park a number of RV’s. There is a long drop toilet.
There is a bird watching area next to the waterhole.
Cumberland was born when gold was discovered there in 1872 and the first prospecting claim was registered in that same year. By 1878, it was one of the major producers of gold in the Etheridge goldfield. The Cumberland Company dammed nearby Cumberland Creek to create a permanent water supply for the township.
High levels of gold production continued through the 1880s peaking in 1886, and the town grew to a population of about 400 people. In 1885 a police station and telegraph station were established. Cumberland Post Office opened on 3 April 1885 and closed in 1929. Both the Queensland Government Savings Bank and the Bank of New South Wales opened branch offices in 1887. The township was officially declared in 1889. The school opened in 1891. In 1894 there were four hotels.
In 1891 a tramway 800 metres long was built to transport the ore from the mine to the battery. To ensure a steady gradient for the heavy ore trucks, the tramway required cutting, embanking and bridges, which made it very expensive to build.
By the 1890s, the easily obtained gold had been removed and a cynanide treatment plant was built to extract gold from the tailings.
The mine and tramway closed in 1897 and the population decreased from that time. In 1899 the telegraph station closed and only one hotel remained. In 1901 only 106 people remained in the town.
In 1901, Cumberland made the headline for the “Cumberland Poisoning Case”. On 20 November 1901, two men, John “Scotty” Wilson and Edward Hollywood, were drinking at the hotel and then entered one of the bedrooms where they found a beer bottle and drank from it. Unfortunately it contained muriatic acid. Both men were taken to Georgetown Hospital, where Hollywood died on 22 November and Wilson on 24 November. The police found there were no suspicious circumstances.
The school closed in 1915, while the post office and the last remaining hotel closed in 1930. John Williamson was one of the last remaining residents, continuing cyanide extraction into the 1940s.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Cumberland Historic Mine Site a free camp?
Yes, Cumberland is a free overnight stop with plenty of space for multiple RVs and caravans.
What facilities are available at Cumberland?
There’s a long drop toilet and a bird watching area next to the waterhole. For current facility details, check the Camps App.
How far is Cumberland from Georgetown?
Cumberland is located approximately 20 kilometres west of Georgetown on the Gulf Development Road in Queensland’s Etheridge Shire.
What is the history of Cumberland?
Cumberland was established in 1872 when gold was discovered. It grew to 400 people by the 1880s with hotels, banks, post office, school and police station. The mine closed in 1897 and the town was gradually abandoned, with the last operations continuing into the 1940s.
Can I see mining relics at Cumberland?
Yes, Cumberland is a historic ghost town with remnants of its gold mining past including an 800-metre tramway built in 1891 and other mining infrastructure.
Is there water at Cumberland campsite?
There’s a waterhole with a bird watching area nearby. The original Cumberland Creek dam supplied water to the historic township. Check the Camps App for current water availability.
Are campfires permitted at Cumberland?
Check the Camps App for current details on campfire regulations at this site.
Is Cumberland suitable for large RVs?
Yes, there’s a large parking area that can accommodate a number of RVs and larger vehicles.
