Under the Divisional Boards Act 1879, the Cairns Division, Hinchinbrook Division and Woothakata Division were created on 11 November 1879. On 3 September 1881, parts of each of these three divisions were excised to create the new Tinaroo Division. In 1889, residents of the No. 3 subdivision of Tinnaroo Division began to agitate for an independent division.[1] On 20 December 1890, part of the Tinaroo Division was excised to create the new Barron Division.[2]
With the passage of the Local Authorities Act 1902, the Barron Division became the Shire of Barron on 31 March 1903.[2][3]
On 20 December 1919, the Shire of Barron was abolished and was split between the Shires of Cairns and Woothakata.[3]
