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Herberton, a village in the Hills, has been described as the Switzerland of North Queensland, a reference to the mild climate resulting from the towns altitude.
Herberton is a pretty little town set in the rolling hills of the Atherton Tablelands. It seems to stretch out along the hills and meander across the ridges. Located 122 km from Cairns and 915 meters above sea level it is now a quiet town with a population of about 1500. There are only hints that it was once the most important mining town on the Tablelands. Founded in 1880 as the result of the discovery of lode tin, the town quickly expanded and became the focus of the coastal ports of Port Douglas, Cairns and Innisfail (then known as Geraldlton) resulting in the government decision to build a railway from the coast which eventually reached Herberton in 1910.
Herberton was the centre for the mule and horse packing transport teams with at least three teams and over 175 pack animals operating from here before the introduction of motor trucks.
Learn about the tin mining history of North Queensland, see the mineral collections or walk some of the community walking trails that start at the Tin Mining Centre and Museum, located on the original reward tin mining lease of the Great Northern Mine.
Visit The Camera Museum with a collection of spy and other unusual cameras located in the original Jack and Newells miner's store the corner of Grace and Jack Streets.
Savour a freshly brewed coffee and a sandwich or pastry at Callum and Dougall's Coffee Shop (named for two dogs rescued from cruel circumstances) next door to the museum. All proceeds suport the local animal welfare and rescue organsation.
Look for some of the 115 species of birds recorded for the area. The high altitude and East coast migratory path of birds crossing through this area provides for an unexpected mix on the regional bird list. A copy may be obtained from the Mining Centre.
Savour a quiet moment at the Lions Picnic area at River Terrace on the Wild River, opposite the gully where lode tin was discovered in 1880.This also the site of a low weir built by the town's miners to form a swimming pool so that the town's aspiring swimmers could practise in readiness for the first Olympics! There are tables and public toilets here. Turn left immediatly before crossing the Wild River bridge if approacing the town from Atherton.
Enjoy a picnic at Wondecla at the sports oval and Recreation reserve, marked by the distinctive Bunya Pines, There are public toilets, shelters and picnic tables provided. The Wondecla Roadhouse is convieniently placed opposite the entrance to the sports oval. A marker records this as the location of the 6th Australian Division Headquarters as that formation was training for the New Guinea Campaign and Kokoda Track battles in 1942.This was also the location of public sluice boxes for use by tinscratchers in the heady alluvial tin mining days of the district.
Country markets are held at Wondecla Oval on the third Sunday of the month.
Herberton was the nucleus for training Australian Army units before they embarked for the famous Kokoda Track campaign in Papua New Guinea. Signs mark the 1942/43 locations of Units along Longlands Gap Road, the southern link between Herberton and the Kennedy Highway.
There is even a Winery - just across the Wild River from where we agist our donkeys in fact.
Herberton's facilities include:
- a real wooden heritage Queenslander Hotel - The Royal, first licensed in 1880, the first on the Atherton Tablelands, at one time was one of 17 pubs in the Main Street.
- Next door,The Australian Hotel, a modern building that replaced another heritage building that burnt down in the 1960's. The Australian has motel units at the rear.
- Two cafes.
- A luxury B&B in the heritage Post Office Building.
- a small but comprehensive supermarket.
- a real butcher shop - local beef, locally smoked hams and bacon and locally made sausages.
- Post Office.
- Hardware shop.
- Newsagent.
- Service station.
- Hairstylist.
- Caravan park with convenience store and fuel outlet.
- Visitor Information Centre.
- The Wondecla Roadhouse located opposite the Wondecla Oval and picnic area.
The drive to Irvinebank with more mining heritage is a mere 26 km west from Herberton. The drive to Irvinebank may be extended to Emuford and Chillagoe but allow for a overnight stay. Or join a Jungleman's Walk to take a scenic route not available by car.
Contact or visit local information centres for additional Tableland attractions:
Website links are listed below:
Herberton Shire Council
Atherton Visitor Centre
Ravenshoe Visitor Centre
The Wheelbarrow Way and Cairns Outback Tourism Development Association(COTDA)
Mareeba Visitor Centre and Heritage Museum
Tropical Tableland Tourism (TTT)
Climate and weather information links:
Mural depicting Herberton's history- South side of Squash courts, Grace Street
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