The mother of seven of the eight children found dead in a Cairns home on Friday has been arrested for murder.

Cairns Detective Inspector Bruno Asnicar said the 37-year-old, who was found with chest and neck wounds, was lucid and awake and speaking with police.

The bodies of eight children were found following what was believed to be a multiple stabbing on Friday morning.

Four girls aged 14, 12, 11 and two, and four boys aged nine, eight, six and five were found in Murray Street, Manoora, where the woman, Mersane Warria, was also located.

Sorry, this video has expired School friends of murdered children leave tributes; police examine knives

Acting Assistant Commissioner Paul Taylor said charges would be laid when it was "appropriate and everything's completed".

He said there were five fathers to the children, and police had been in contact with all five men.

"We had the forensic people in the house. The deceased have been removed from the house," Detective Inspector Asnicar said.

He said the coroner and a pathologist would be conducting investigations with the assistance of family members.

Anyone distressed by this story is advised to contact the following organisations:

Kids Helpline on 1800 55 1800

Kids Helpline on 1800 55 1800 Relationships Australia on 1300 364 277

Relationships Australia on 1300 364 277 Beyond Blue on 1300 22 4636

Beyond Blue on 1300 22 4636 Lifeline on 13 11 14

Detective Inspector Asnicar said police were not looking for anyone else in relation to the deaths and were comfortable the community was safe.

He dismissed speculation the Manoora house had been the subject of calls from the Department of Social Services.

"It's not a problem house, as has been speculated," he said.

"This is an ordinary neighbourhood, a lot of good people, a lot of kids in the area. This is something that has caught everybody by surprise."

Australians share community's grief: Nicholls

Acting Queensland Premier Tim Nicholls said the police service had made contact with authorities in the Torres Strait.

"Certainly we are aware of the family links to the Torres Strait and to the Cape and actions are being taken to ensure those communities are informed and provided with support," he said.

Mr Nicholls said he knew the incident was coming at a "terrible cost" to many in the community.

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

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

Investigations, including autopsies on the children, continued on Saturday.

Police said a number of possible weapons including knives were located in the house.

Seven of the children found dead are siblings and the eighth child is a niece of the woman arrested, police said.

Police said the suburban Cairns home would be locked down for several days while forensic officers conducted their work.

Sorry, this video has expired Cairns mother arrested for murder

Acting Chief Superintendent Russell Miller said the investigation would take time and officers from Brisbane and Townsville arrived on Friday afternoon to assist with the complex probe.

Relationships Australia has set up an office close to the murder scene.

Spokeswoman Debra Bennett said the organisation was inviting people in the community to seek counselling there if they felt they needed to speak to someone.

"There'll be a whole range of support services so we encourage people to take advantage of that and to encourage other members of their family and the community if they feel they're struggling with this experience. It's really important that people don't try to do this on their own," she said.