Qld girl 'brave' after mum, grandma killed

A teenage girl is "being brave" after witnessing her father allegedly stab her mother to death, a friend says.

Police say the 17-year-old was injured as she tried to protect her mother Manjinder Ghuman being attacked at the family home in the small town of Gordonvale, south of Cairns, on Monday afternoon.

"Obviously no one would be alright after that but she's being very brave," a young man, who declined to give his name, told AAP moments before visiting the teenage girl to offer his support.

"There's no words to describe it really, it's just sickening and inhumane."

It's alleged that after Manjinder was stabbed, the girl's father, Balwinder Singh Ghuman, fatally stabbed his mother-in-law in the yard of a neighbouring property.

Police have described it as a terrible domestic incident and say alcohol may have played a role.

Ghuman has been charged with two counts of murder, as well as the attempted murder of his father-in-law Sarwan Singh and wounding his 17-year-old daughter.

Both were allegedly injured while trying to protect Manjinder.

The shocking case has rocked the far north Queensland community that is still reeling from the deaths of eight children in Murray Street, Cairns, in December 2014.

Detective Superintendent Ray Rohweder told media on Tuesday that emergency services turned up to what could only be described as "a horrific blood-soaked scene" on Monday afternoon.

Flowers have been laid outside the Wiltshire Drive house.

The family, originally from India, have lived in Gordonvale for more than a decade and have many family and friends in the community.

They regularly attended a local Sikh temple.

Manjinder, who worked at a local supermarket and also has another younger daughter, has been described as a woman who was loved by many.

Her boss, chief executive of the Cornetts IGA supermarket Graham Booysen, told the Cairns Post her colleagues were in shock.

"Obviously this is a tragedy, all the staff have known her for a very long time," he said.

"She was a great part of the team, everyone loved her."

Local scaffolder Richard Joinbee, who also lives in Wiltshire Drive, said he went to school with Manjinder's two daughters, describing them as nice, quiet girls.

"Nothing like this happens in Gordonvale," he told AAP, saying the town which backs onto bushland was generally a peaceful and friendly place.

Ghuman's case was briefly mentioned in the Cairns Magistrates Court on Wednesday morning where it was adjourned until April 13.

He didn't appear in the dock, but lawyer Fabia Parker requested the case be adjourned so she can seek instruction from her client.

Under Queensland law, Ghuman will need to apply to the state's Supreme Court if he wants to be released on bail.

The family said they did not want to make a statement when approached by AAP.