TOLGA AND WALKAMIN LOCAL HIGHLIGHTS Tropical North Queensland has rightfully earned its reputation as one of the most beautiful and diverse localities to visit in the world. Finding your TOLGA WOODWORKS way around has never been easier, with some fantastic tried and tested drive routes that all lead to the Atherton Tablelands and beyond. The Rocky Creek Memorial Park was There is also a great cafe, which established over a decade ago at what serves lunches as well as morning and was the site of the largest field hospital afternoon tea. in the southern hemisphere to honour servicemen and women. The Tolga racecourse is the venue for the markets, with a wide range of local Dedication ceremonies are held in produce and crafts on display on the MT UNCLE the park each August on the Sunday first Sunday of every month. TOLGA A thriving community today, nearest Victory in the Pacific (VP) Day. For further exploration into the region’s As you drive south towards Atherton, Tolga began life as a simple staging war history, follow up your visit with the road passes through the Tolga post on the track linking the Herberton a trip to the Mareeba RSL, which has Scrub, a delightful, short rainforested tinfields with Port Douglas. excellent historical displays. strip with a leafy canopy. During World War II, the region became a training centre and base ATTRACTIONS Tolga is central, pretty and WALKAMIN Walkamin was built during for Allied forces. the ideal holiday base with a choice the construction of Tinaroo Dam in of budget accommodation. Tolga’s the 1950s. Discover the past at the Tablelands foremost attraction is the established Heritage Centre and at the Tolga fine woodwork gallery, Tolga Described as food bowl country, the Museum, which houses memorabilia Woodworks, on the main road. site for the town was chosen due to its of World War II and the local timber As well as exquisitely crafted, perfectly balanced weather patterns and agricultural industries, and at the handmade timber pieces ranging with the ideal climate for a wide variety Tablelands Heritage Centre. from small spinning tops and bowls of crops. ROCKY CREEK WAR MEMORIAL PARK to fine furniture, the gallery features Just north of Tolga, Nardello’s Lagoon From 1943 to 1945 the Atherton a large array of hand-forged iron and is a peaceful retreat with waterbirds. Tablelands was the largest military hammered steel pieces, ceramics, Visit the Cellar Door and Bridges Bar base in Australia, hosting between fused glass and silver jewellery. & Restaurant nearby at Mt Uncle and 100,000 and 300,000 troops from 140 These showcase the talents of Tropical sample the excellent liqueurs and different units. North Queensland’s finest artisans. spirits. 34 www.athertontablelands.com.au