Established in 1889, Croydon Cemetery offers visitors a serene environment to connect with the region’s rich history. The cemetery features a diverse array of headstones, including those crafted by renowned stonemasons such as Melrose and Fenwick of Townsville, John Petrie of Brisbane, and J.H. Simmons and Ernest Greenway of Sydney. Notably, the cemetery includes rare intact Chinese burials, marked by sandstone and brick headstones, reflecting the multicultural fabric of Croydon’s past.
Visitors will also find intricate porcelain flowers, shells, and even flowers made of tin adorning the graves. These decorative elements, popular in the Victorian era, were used to create a comforting and decorative environment for the spirits, symbolising eternal life and remembrance.
The use of unique three-dimensional “vase” grave markers further distinguishes this site. Today, Croydon Cemetery stands as a place of reflection, allowing visitors to honour the lives and stories of those who shaped the region.