History of Redlynch, Cairns

Prior to 1887, Redlynch was known as Eight Mile Section Camp, being eight miles from Cairns along the developing railway. It is not clear why the name was changed, but one version ascribes the name to the English village of Redlynch, in Wiltshire. Redlynch means ‘reed marsh’ in old English. Another version reflects the feisty personality of an Irish railway construction foreman, ‘Red’ Lynch. Freshwater railway station is the site of a cottage claimed to have been the home of Mr. Lynch.