Children identified in Cairns stabbing

Distraught locals embrace at the scene after eight children were found stabbed to death at a house in Manoora near Cairns. Photo / AAP

Police last night formally identified the eight children killed in a tragedy that has rocked Australia.

They were four girls aged 14, 12, 11 and 2, and four boys aged 9, 8, 6 and 5.

Police say they have no other suspects after arresting Mersane Warria - the mother of seven of the children and aunt to oldest girl.

Detective Inspector Bruno Asnicar said police had spoken to the children's five fathers.

"I don't think anybody would imagine any reaction other than absolute devastation, to be told that their child's dead."

He said the families have been co-operating with police. "Even under these horrific circumstances and the trauma they've been through, the support that the family has been giving us in this investigation has been outstanding," he said.

"And it's been because of them this process was able to be done in a really calm, easy and least intrusive way we possibly could."

Police are yet to release a cause of death, but knives were at the scene and it's believed the children were stabbed. Autopsy results are expected in the next few days.

Warria, 37, is yet to be charged but is under police guard at a Cairns hospital where she is in a stable condition after suffering multiple stab wounds.

A makeshift memorial has been set up in a park next to the crime scene, with hundreds visiting yesterday to lay flowers and presents and pay their respects.

Acting Premier Tim Nicholls laid a wreath after visiting a community support centre set up nearby to assist grieving family, friends and neighbours.

"As a father myself with three children under 15, I can only imagine the grief this community is feeling as they come to grips with the events over the last days," he said.

"I'm sure I speak on behalf of all Queenslanders and indeed all Australians when I say we are with you, we are here to support you and we feel with you the grief that this community feels."

-AAP