During a follow‐up period of six to 12 years, 15.4% of patients in the Queensland Melanoma Project (Q.M.P.) developed histologically proven secondary deposits in lymph nodes. The incidence rate in males (21%) was twice that in females (11%), but the mortality rate was similar (M., 67%; F. 61%). Thirty‐two patients (2%) had positive nodes with no known primary lesion. Metastases developed in males with lesions on the foot (50%), on the thigh (29%), and on the back (22%); and in females with lesions on the lower leg (9%) and thigh (20%). About one‐half of the nodes were removed at the time of treatment of the primary growth or within two months. Three‐quarters were removed in the first year. However, it was found that tumour could remain dormant for more than eight years. Dormant tumours behaved in a similar aggressive fashion on regrowth as non‐dormant secondaries. Nodal metastases were present in 5% of patients at the time of their first presentation with primary melanoma. Elective node dissections were done in 6% of males and 11% o