Allan CunninghamPrint Page 
The monument commemorates the explorer Allan Cunningham. It was erected in the centenary year of his exploration of the Darling Downs and the opening of the road between Brisbane and Warwick. The monument was restored in 1988.
The information plaque at the memorial references the fact that Cunningham located a track through Cunningham Gap in 1828 but it was difficult to negotiate and was classified as a bridle trail because of its steep unforgiving slope.
In 1827 Cunningham set out from the upper Hunter River to explore inside the Dividing Range, discovering the Darling Downs and returning in 1828 from Brisbane to discover Cunningham Gap.
At a meeting held in May 1927, discussing the unveiling of the Cunningham Memorial, Councillor P McMahon who was presiding over the meeting said that in 1926 a suggestion had been made that the centenary of the Darling Downs be fittingly celebrated. The suggestion was that a memorial be erected as an expression of gratitude for the discovery of the Downs; as a thanksgiving to God for the wonderful territory He had given the people and as a fitting tribute to the great courage and self-sacrifice of the explorer.
The Brisbane Courier, 10th May 1927.
A hundred years ago the famous Australian explorer, Allan Cunningham, discovered a gap leading to the Darling Downs, and, passing through it a vast territory of fertile land. To mark the centenary of that discovery a number of Queenslanders gathered at this spot on Saturday to attend the unveiling of a cairn and the opening of a new highway from the metropolis to the downs.
The Advertiser (Adelaide), 13th June 1927.
Location
| Address: | Cunningham Highway, Cunninghams Gap |
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| State: | QLD |
| Area: | AUS |
| GPS Coordinates: | Lat: -28.049264 Long: 152.395164 Note: GPS Coordinates are approximate. |
Details
| Monument Type: | Monument |
|---|---|
| Monument Theme: | People |
| Sub-Theme: | Exploration |
| Actual Event Start Date: | 11-June-1827 |
| Actual Event End Date: | 11-June-1827 |
Dedication
| Actual Monument Dedication Date: | Saturday 11th June, 1927 |
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Plaque :
Erected on 11th June 1927
To the memory of Allan Cunnignham who discovered the Darling Downs on 6th June 1827 and this mountain pass on 11th of the same month.
Plaque :
This cairn was unveiled on the centenary date 11th June 1927 by Hon. W. Forgan Smith Acting Premier of Queensland
Plaque :
The foundation stone of this memorial was laid on 7th May 1927 by Ald. D. Connolly, Mayor of Warwick
Member for Warwick G. P. Barnes Esq
