Chinese Temple Site
The Temple site is a significant and fascinating reminder of the rich history of the Gulf Savannah Region and the role that the area played in the development of Queensland, as a state and Australia as a Federation of States and later a Commonwealth. Extensive research has been undertaken to provide visitors with an understanding and appreciation of the Chinese settlement and their contribution to the development of the region.
Take a stroll around the Chinese Heritage Trail, see the remains of the original Temple and the remnants of the second largest pig roasting oven in the southern hemisphere. Read more about the Chinatown inhabitants of this once thriving site on the beautiful sandstone plinths placed along the heritage walk, which meanders throughout the site.
In 2007 further research took place into the chinese gravestone markers which can be found in some of the local historic cemeteries. With the assistance of a Chinese Student, Wei Liao, lettering on the markers revealed that the majority of Chinese working on the Croydon goldfields came from the Guangdong Province of China.
As links are forged today with other significant past Chinese settlements, heritage sites and descendents there is a fascinating unfolding history that will keep you enthralled and interested in investigating further this golden era of Queensland.
Entry is free and is open all year round.
CHINESE HERITAGE
In the gold mining days Croydon, like all gold mining areas, had a large population of Chinese settlers, towards the end of late nineteenth and early twentieth century, migrants from the rural areas of Guangdong Province of south China constituted twenty to thirty percent of the population of the emerging towns of the region. Every major town; Cairns, Port Douglas, Innisfail, Cooktown, Atherton, Croydon, Georgetown – featured busy Chinese quarters centred around a temple furbished with a wealth of religious objects imported from the home area.
In 2007 further research took place into the Chinese gravestone markers which can be found in some of the local historic cemeteries. With the assistance of a Chinese student, lettering on the markers revealed that the majority of Chinese working on the Croydon goldfields came from the Guangdong Province of China. Interestingly, most of the Chinese in Australia came from the same province.
A replica of a Chinese dwelling has been constructed in the gardens of the True Blue Visitor Information Centre. The original is at the Mining Museum just outside town on the road to Normanton. Descendants of the original Chinese settlers still live in Croydon and surrounds today.
If you have information or photos of Chinese settlers in Croydon please contact the Visitor Information Centre Ph: 07 4748 7152 or Email:[email protected].