Herberton, Queensland
Encyclopedia
Herberton is a town on the Atherton Tableland
in Far North Queensland
, Australia
. At the 2006 census
, Herberton had a population of 974.
. Mulligan was prospecting for gold, but instead found tin on the Herbert River. The town of Herberton was established on 19 April 1880 by John Newell to exploit the tin find, and mining began on 9 May. By the September of that year, Herberton had a population of 300 men and 27 women. In December 1881 a State School was established.
In the late 19th century the Mulligan Highway was carved through the hills from Herberton and passed through what is now Main Street, Atherton, before continuing down to Port Douglas
. This road was used by the coaches of Cobb and Co
to access Western Queensland.
At its apogee, Herberton was the richest tin mining field in Australia, and was home to 17 pubs, 2 local newspapers and a brewery.
Tin mining ceased in Herberton in 1978.
The Herberton Historical Village has now re-opened since Easter 2009 This attraction is a highlight for visitors to the tablelands and anyone interested in Queensland's Heritage.
The Tepon Equestrian Grounds just out of Herberton have recently been upgraded with a large undercover pavilion for equestrian and other sporting events such as cycling and mountain biking. Local markets are held on the 3rd Sunday of every month at the Wondecla Oval.
Atherton Tableland
The Atherton Tableland is a fertile plateau which is part of the Great Dividing Range in Queensland, Australia. It is located west to south-south-west inland from Cairns, well into the tropics, but its elevated position provides a climate suitable for dairy farming. It has an area of around...
in Far North Queensland
Queensland
Queensland is a state of Australia, occupying the north-eastern section of the mainland continent. It is bordered by the Northern Territory, South Australia and New South Wales to the west, south-west and south respectively. To the east, Queensland is bordered by the Coral Sea and Pacific Ocean...
, Australia
Australia
Australia , officially the Commonwealth of Australia, is a country in the Southern Hemisphere comprising the mainland of the Australian continent, the island of Tasmania, and numerous smaller islands in the Indian and Pacific Oceans. It is the world's sixth-largest country by total area...
. At the 2006 census
Census in Australia
The Australian census is administered once every five years by the Australian Bureau of Statistics. The most recent census was conducted on 9 August 2011; the next will be conducted in 2016. Prior to the introduction of regular censuses in 1961, they had also been run in 1901, 1911, 1921, 1933,...
, Herberton had a population of 974.
History
The first European exploration of this area was undertaken in 1875 by James Venture MulliganJames Venture Mulligan
James Venture Mulligan was a bushman and prospector. He was born in Drumgooland, County Down, Ireland and emigrated to Australia in 1859...
. Mulligan was prospecting for gold, but instead found tin on the Herbert River. The town of Herberton was established on 19 April 1880 by John Newell to exploit the tin find, and mining began on 9 May. By the September of that year, Herberton had a population of 300 men and 27 women. In December 1881 a State School was established.
In the late 19th century the Mulligan Highway was carved through the hills from Herberton and passed through what is now Main Street, Atherton, before continuing down to Port Douglas
Port Douglas, Queensland
Port Douglas is a town in Far North Queensland, Australia, approximately north of Cairns. Its permanent population was 948 residents in 2006. The town's population can often double, however, with the influx of tourists during the peak tourism season May–September. The town is named in honour of...
. This road was used by the coaches of Cobb and Co
Cobb and Co
Cobb and Co is the name of a transportation company in Australia. It was prominent in the late 19th century when it operated stagecoaches to many areas in the outback and at one point in several other countries, as well....
to access Western Queensland.
At its apogee, Herberton was the richest tin mining field in Australia, and was home to 17 pubs, 2 local newspapers and a brewery.
Tin mining ceased in Herberton in 1978.
Industries
Several crops are grown around Herberton, and it is the location of Queensland's only tropical vineyard. Herberton is a mini salad bowl with crops including avocados, lettuce, tomatoes, maize and pumpkins . Poultry and beef industries are also present.Tourism
Herberton is attracting more tourists, with the 5 year old 'Mining Museum and Tourist Information Centre' http://herberton.qld.au/miningmuseum catering to the needs of the tourist industry. With accommodation at every level from caravan park, pub, motel and b&b available, travellers are now able to spend time in the small town. Herberton is the oldest town on the Atherton Tablelands and is often referred to as the Village in the hills. Spectacular during the Jacaranda season, it is a pretty little town with several buildings of historical significance and a Heritage Walk for tourists that takes in some of the old buildings and historical features of the town.The Herberton Historical Village has now re-opened since Easter 2009 This attraction is a highlight for visitors to the tablelands and anyone interested in Queensland's Heritage.
The Tepon Equestrian Grounds just out of Herberton have recently been upgraded with a large undercover pavilion for equestrian and other sporting events such as cycling and mountain biking. Local markets are held on the 3rd Sunday of every month at the Wondecla Oval.