Herberton

This charming village sits on a hilly landscape, with streets lined with Jacaranda Trees (lovely in October during the flowering season).

Herberton is the oldest town on the Tablelands. Several of the buildings constructed in the 1880s and 1890s still stand to this day, including the top shops at the Heritage Corner, which was previously the Jack and Newell building, the School of Arts building, Police Station, Courthouse building and the churches. There are also 2 hotels which proudly boast being the oldest continuously licensed and operating hotels in Queensland.

Things to do

The Camera Museum

You will get to see a very large display of cameras of all shapes and sizes, some extremely rare. You will also get an insight to photography and learn about the varied history of cameras, including the first Russian Spy Camera made.

Herberton Tin Mining Museum

The Tin Mining Museum has a large display of metals, tin, photos and other displays showing the history of tin mining and the town itself. Located in Jacks Road, the centre is open from 9am to 4pm 7 days a week.

Herberton Cemetery

History from a different angle, the headstones in any cemetery tell a story of the passing of pioneers, but also the diversity of people, their tribulations and of full lives lived.

Walking Trails

(please note that times given are a guide only – please ensure you take drinking water with you)

The Copper Mines Walk - is an easy walk that follows a gravel bush track along the sides of a small stream with a rocky bed. The walk leads to the base of a hill where evidence of mining is obvious. Copper was the main mineral mined here, hence the strong discolouration present. For the adventurous, follow the Bridle Trail (horse trail) to the right which ends at Anniversary Falls, which was used as a retreat in the early days. The walk begins Grace & Jane Streets junction. (1.5km – approx 1 hour)

Specimen Hill Lookout Walk – Starting from the top end of Grace Street, near the junction of Jane Street, this walk takes you along a gravel bush track that leads you out along a shoulder of Specimen Hill. The track ends at a tunnel driven into the hillside with other mines visible below. Views of Herberton can be seen throughout the walk but the best view of all is from the top of Specimen Hill. The track is steep in parts. (1.5km - approx 1.5 hours)

The Upper Grace St Lookout - a short walk across the Wild River bridge and up the next hill, brings you to t lookout that gives some great views over Herberton and on down the Wild River Valley. This track also commences from the junction of Grace & Jane Streets. (1km – approx 30 minutes)

The Heritage Walk – this walk can be started from any end of town and loops you around the two main town blocks, (along the main street and back streets) that make up the core commercial area of the town. You will see many of the heritage buildings of which Herberton is justifiably proud. (800 metres – approx 1 to 1.5 hours)

History

Exploration of Herberton took place in 1875 by James Venture Mulligan who was prospecting for gold, but instead found tin. The town was established on the 19 th April 1880, following the confirmation of payable quantities of tin ore in the area when Messrs Jack, Newell, Brown and Brandon set out to exploit the tin find. The actual mining commenced on the 8 th of May, and by September the same year, Herberton had a population of 300 men and 27 women. The Great Northern Mine became the backbone of the township. Herberton ceased its tin mining in 1978. At its pinnacle, Herberton was home to 17 pubs, a brewery and 2 local newspapers.

The present cemetery in Herberton was gazetted in 1885 and replaced an older burial ground on the southern side of the township. Thomas Brandon & John Newell, two of the founding fathers of Herberton, rest in the cemetery. As was common in most early cemeteries, the Herberton site was divided up into sections according to Christian beliefs. To the left of the entrance gate is the Methodist area, followed by the Presbyterian (and other) section further back on the left. The Roman Catholic section is to the right of the gate, followed by the Church of England section. One grave site in particular is visited by many each year – this is gravesite number 20 in row 27 in the Church of England section. This grave bears the brief inscription ‘A Priest. Every Anzac Day many visit this site because the man who is buried here, actually originated the Anzac Day Dawn services. He is Canon Arthur Ernest ‘Padre White and instigated the traditional service at the break of dawn, Anzac Day 1923, overlooking King George Sound at Albany in Western Australia. He died on the 25 th September 1954.

Getting here

Herberton is 18 kilometres (30 min drive) south west from Atherton.  Take the Herberton Road which runs off the Main Street of Atherton.

Services

Fuel or Service Stations:
Fuel at the Wild River Caravan Park - Holdcroft Drive. Phone: 4096 2121            
Mobil Service Station - Perkins Street. Phone: 4096 2260

Groceries & Food:
Convenience store on Grace Street
Jacaranda Café & Take Away – on the main street, cold drinks, coffee, sandwiches, pizzas, burgers, meals etc. Open from 10am to 7.30pm, 7 days a week