We love where we live!
The Atherton Tablelands is renowned for fresh water lakes and spectacular waterfalls.
Here are our top ten places not to be missed while you are here.
Historic Village Herberton
Almost as obsessed with preserving historic buildings as René is about crystals, this attraction is a testament to Harry Skenner who salvaged the buildings during the 1970’s and current custodians Craig and Connie Kimberley who transformed the village into one of the most highly respected heritage museums in Australia and an invaluable part of Far North Queensland’s fascinating heritage.
Coffee Works
Whether you are a lover of coffee or not, the fascinating collection of coffee and tea making memorabilia on display at Coffee Works was curated by Ian Bersten who spent 37 years globetrotting to bring one of the largest and most significant collections of Coffee and Tea makers in the world. This incredible collection includes over 2000 coffee makers, grinders, roasters and tea makers spanning back to the late 1700’s.
Oh, and the make amazingly delicious chocolate…
Lake Barrine Teahouse and Boatcruise
he family history of this quaint teahouse is evident the minute you step inside. George Curry pioneered the lake tours when he first showed the visitors around Lake Barrine in a rowboat in 1923. Today, the 3rd generation of the Curry family still own the teahouse and boat cruises. The boats have been upgraded to electric boats the seats only 12 people for a small and personalised idyllic tour. The award winning Devonshire tea is still made using the family secret recipe scones.
Lake Tinaroo
This massive lake with a shoreline of more than 200km was built to provide irrigation to Mareeba and Dimbulah in the 1950’s. Today it also serves as a recreation lake for swimming, boating, camping year round with no fears of hightides, crocodiles, sharks or jellyfish. You can however, hook a massive barramundi, waterski, sail, paddleboard or birdwatch.
Markets
Towns across the Tablelands hold a monthly market. The biggest is at Yungaburra on the forth Saturday of each month where up to 250 local growers, producers and artisans gather to display and sell their produce and handiwork in the middle of the historic village.
Historic Pubs
The Barron Valley Hotel in Atherton and the Royal hotel in Herberton were built in the 1880’s, while the Yungaburra pub and the Malanda pub were built in the 1910’s. But it’s the Ravenshoe pub with her large wrap around verandas, built in 1927, that can boast the highest pub in Queensland.
Quaint Cafes
There are loads of coffee shops and cafes in Atherton and surrounding area. Here are our personal favourites based mostly on Instagramability, what can I say, we love ambience. The Belson in Yungaburra for cute outdoor dining; SuperStar café in Atherton for extraordinary art deco decor, Gallery 5 in Atherton for cool local artwork, Petals and pinecones for incredible creation jars including one called ‘crystal caves’, Station café for its super cute railway carriage seating, Shaylee Strawberries for their amazing view of strawberry fields.
Fossicking
Scratching around in the dirt can be very rewarding in these parts, just ask René. There are still plenty of agates to be found at Agate creek, near Forsyth. O’Briens creek is a popular fossicking area for topaz. The camp facility at O’Briens creek can get you a licence and point you in the right direction, but if you want more information the local BP can get you on your way. If it’s gold you are looking for, you must go to Palmerville station in Palmer for licences and access, most of the sites are private leases so its not a good idea to prospect without a permit.
Check Queensland Government regulations here.
Camping
There are some excellent caravan parks with amazing facilities in Atherton and Tinaroo, or you can go it alone at one of the many sites on Lake Tinaroo, but you must book these with national parks. But if you want something in between, that’s going to get you engaged with nature like Bonadio’s RV and Nature park if you have a self-contained van.
Waterfalls
There’s nothing better than the impressive view of the magnificent waterfalls the Atherton Tablelands Waterfalls and surrounds offer.
Allocate a few days to visit the many waterfalls.
athertontablelands.com.au/top-10-waterfalls/
But don’t take our word for it…
Visit one of the region’s Visitor Information Centres for more information.
