Officials were still trying to determine exactly what happened inside the house, and had collected more than 100 witness statements, he said. A coroner was conducting autopsies, but police would not be releasing the results as the case was now a matter for the courts, he said.

The children, four girls and four boys, ranged in age from 2 to 14.

Police were not looking for any other suspects, Mr Asnicar said. A hearing was scheduled for Monday, but Warria was excused from attending. Police planned to oppose any request for bail, Mr Ascinar said.

"This is very raw and it is a very emotive time for everybody," he said. "The family is deeply upset but the community is pulling together. "

Asked how the children's five fathers were coping with the tragedy, Mr Ascinar replied: "I don't think we need much imagination to understand how they are feeling."

Dozens of weeping mourners visited a makeshift memorial of flowers, stuffed animals and candles set up in a park next to the family's home. "My babies, my babies," one man wailed.

A church service was held on Sunday morning to honor the children and a candlelit vigil was scheduled for the evening.

Australia was already suffering the shock of a fatal siege in a Sydney cafe. Last week, a gunman burst into the cafe in the heart of the city and took 18 hostages, two of whom were killed along with the gunman after police stormed in 16 hours later to end the standoff.

"The news out of Cairns is heartbreaking," the Prime Minister, Tony Abbott, said in a statement. "All parents would feel a gut-wrenching sadness at what has happened. This is an unspeakable crime. These are trying days for our country."