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It is believed that the first internal combustion engine tractor to be used in Australia was an Ivel from England in about 1903. A H McDonald began making engines in Melbourne in the early 1900s and in 1908 made Australia's first tractor, the Imperial Oil Tractor EA. The EB, EAA, and some lightweight models followed, they were all powered by their own kerosene-fueled, spark ignition engines. They began experimenting with their Super Diesel engines before ceasing local tractor production during the 1920s and imported the Emmerson-Brantingham from America and the Advance from Sweden. They resumed production again with the Imperial Super Diesel T series in the 1930s, these tractors ran on crude oil, and their sales brochures stated "Cheaper Power Every Hour" The TWB became a popular model, and McDonald continued producing tractors until 1955. Kelly & Lewis who go back to the early 1900s made the KL Bulldog. They were mainly involved with engines and in the 1930s became the agent for Lanz Bulldog. Due to the war production of these German tractors ceased and Kelly & Lewis decided to make their own version of the 40hp Bulldog. The first bulldogs came out of their Springvale factory in 1949 and continued until about 1954. By this time the German company began to produce improved versions of the tractor and K & L found it hard to sell their stock, a total of about 900 were made. J Deere took a controlling interest in Lanz in 1956. Source: www.yesterdaystractors.com/articles/artint208.htm

Floods events occur on average from no floods to three per year between December and March.[17] Heavy flooding occurred in 1875 with the Dawson, Fitzroy, Mary and Burdekin Rivers rising up to 60 feet (18 m) in a few hours. The waters washed away dwellings, fencing and livestock[21] and effects downstream included the loss of the steamer SS Gothenburg which was unable to steer effectively and ran aground on a reef at the entrance of Flinders Channel.[22] The Burdekin River is a river located in North and Far North Queensland, Australia. The river rises on the northern slopes of Boulder Mountain at Valley of Lagoons, part of the western slope of the Seaview Range, and flows into the Coral Sea at Upstart Bay over 200 kilometres (124 mi) to the southeast of the source, with a catchment area of approximately 130,000 square kilometres (50,000 sq mi).[2] The Burdekin River is Australia's largest river by (peak) discharge volume.[3]: 5  The river was first encountered by Europeans during the expedition led by Ludwig Leichhardt in 1845 and named in honour of Thomas Burdekin, one of the sponsors of the expedition. In 1917 more severe flooding occurred with the bridge at Inkerman under 11 feet (3 m) of water and the one at Ayr over 14 feet (4 m) underwater after a day of flooding.[23] Approximately one third of the Inkerman Bridge was later washed away by the floodwaters.[24] Further flooding occurred in 1927 with waters running nearly 6 feet (2 m) over the Inkerman Bridge and 3 feet (1 m) over the Burdekin Bridge,[25] the river reached its peak at 66 feet (20 m) above summer levels at Sellheim.[26] During the 1974 flood event associated with Cyclone Wanda, which lasted from 17 December 1973 to 23 April 1974, an estimated mass discharge peak of 25,000 tonnes (25,000 long tons; 28,000 short tons) of water per second was reached, which affected 450 kilometres (280 mi) of coastline and created a plume with widths ranging from 25 to 100 kilometres (16 to 62 mi).[17] Source: en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Burdekin_River

Old Delta Hotel One of the oldest original buildings still standing in the town. The Delta Hotel was opened in 1891 by hotelier, Mr H. Benjamin. David Edwards rebuilt the Delta in about 1906 with a wooden façade. It operated as a hotel for most of its life, undergoing various degrees of refurbishment and redevelopment. Source: www.visitburdekin.com.au/downloads/file/14/ayr-heritage-walk