Mareeba

Mareeba Qld 4880 (Pop 8 000) 

Mareeba is an important Atherton Tablelands service town 1 716 km n-w of Brisbane in Tropical North Qld.  Its name is derived from the Aboriginal word meaning ‘meeting of the waters’. European settlement began in 1880 with the town’s founder, John Atherton and it was the first town established on the Tablelands. The area is known for its coffee plantations, mango and avocado farms and until recently, tobacco. Due to a change in government regulations, all tobacco producers have been bought out. Markets each Sat. Rodeo (July), Multicultural Festival (Aug), Country Music Festival (Oct in even years).

Tourist Attractions & Info:
The Mosque, cnr Lloyd & Walsh Sts built by the town’s Albanian community. Heritage Museum, Centenary Park interesting historical displays and artifacts. Art Society Gallery, Centenary Park. Bunny Eary Lookout, Chewko Rd lovely town views. Bicentennial Lakes, Rankine St pretty park with walking trails and bridges over the lakes.

Nearby:
Granite Gorge (12 km s-w) made up of a number of huge volcanic granite boulders that lay scattered across the landscape with a stream, and at times a torrent, flowing through them. The Beck Museum (5 km south) fine military and aviation collection. Mareeba Tropical Savanna & Wetland Reserve (7 km north) over 2 499 ha and a dozen lagoons that accommodate many species of birdlife, mammals, fish and freshwater crocodiles. Davies Creek NP (26 km east) beautiful cascades over large granite boulders and through eucalypt woodlands. Camp and/or enjoy the various interesting walking trails. Dimbulah (47 km west) charming village with its museum housed in the restored railway station.

Accommodation:
Mareeba has a couple of motels, a hotel and 4 caravan parks. Visitor Information Centre:  Heritage Museum, Centenary Park, 345 Byrnes St. Tel (07) 4092 5674.