More Attractions

Spy & Camera Museum

World's rarest, oldest and smallest cameras, oldest sewing machine, police pocket watch camera 1904, KGB, Russian spy cameras, cameras from Hitler's Germany and much more.

Open 7 days from 9.30 am - 5pm
49 Grace Street, Herberton
Contact: (07) 4096 2092
www.spycameramuseum.com.au

The Crater National Park

A few kilometres out of town is one of the most interesting of all the volcanic formations on the Tablelands. A short walk of 400 metres in The Crater National Park (sometimes referred to as the Mount Hypipamee National Park) leads to a crater formed by a single violent explosion.The crater is an estimated 95 000 years old. The sheer sides drop 56 metres into a pool covered by green lichen and the pool is 82.3 metres deep. The depth of the drop, the green waters far below and the tropical vegetation clinging to the crater walls give the area an eerie, unnatural feel.

A Special Experience – the Ghost Walks

Held generally three times a year, Herberton hosts a special event where ghosts of past people appear to tell their stories. Miners appear at the Great Northern Minesite, long - gone visitors to town appear in the main street, and ghosts of people buried at the cemetery retell their lives, at sunset, at their last resting place. Wraiths may also appear at events celebrating other happenings in the town. Enquire at the Visitor Information Centre for the next scheduled event and take part in a unique evening experience that celebrates Herberton’s history through the tales of past residents.


Wild River Park

The township of Herberton stands on the headwaters of the Wild River, a tributary of the Herbert  which reaches the coast at Ingham. The word 'wild' was first used by James Venture Mulligan on the 6th June 1875. It was at this time that Mulligan found evidence of tin ore in the area, but an entry in his journal questions the value of the find ‘in this wild place’.


Image Galleries

Take time out to have a coffee and check the paintings on display at The Gallery Coffee Shoppe. Also visit the historic photo display at the oldest public building on the Tablelands – the Herberton School of Arts Hall in the centre of the main street. Built in 1881, the building now houses the town library and a large collection of photos showing various aspects of Herberton over the years.


Jacaranda Time

Herberton’s climate and mineralised soils seem to bring out the most spectacular showings of flowers both native and introduced. Every month has its own particular group of displays from ground hugging orchids to great trees. But late September is truly a marvellous time for it is when three trees put on a spectacular display. They are the jacaranda which seems to be more intense in colour in Herberton - even the air shimmers in a purple haze, the bright red flame tree and the deep yellow bracts of the silky oak. Sometimes one may follow the other as the flowers open but when they happen to coincide, it is really amazing.

Herberton Cemetery

The present cemetery in Herberton was gazetted in 1885.  It replaced an older burial ground on the southern side of the township. Some locals still refer to the ‘new’ and the ‘old’ cemeteries.

Unfortunately, little information is available about burials in the old cemetery.  This could be an important focus of future research. While headstones tell of the passing of our pioneers, they can only hint, at best, at some of the stories that have accompanied these people to the grave. Often, what is on the headstone only deepens the mystery.  But the headstones also tell of the diversity of people who were attracted to Herberton, of their tribulations, and of full lives lived out in this community.
The new cemetery is however, well documented and is a major repository of local and wider history.

Views Info

Spectacular views of Herberton can be had from several vantage points on the Great Northern Walking Trails, but two other lookouts give special views over the town. The first is accessible by vehicle at the top of Grace Street. A small fairly steep gravel track leads to a hilltop with views directly down to the main street. It is absolutely spectacular at Jacaranda time. The second view takes a 20 minute walk starting from the previous lookout. It leads up via gravel tracks to the top of Specimen Hill where those intrepid enough to take the challenge will be rewarded with a panorama over the town, down the Wild River Valley, and across to the rugged ranges and the Great Northern Walking Trails.


Lions Park Information

Back in 1933, the Herberton ladies decided the town needed a swimming pool so they co-opted the menfolk to build a weir in the Wild River. The pool and its surrounds were to be named the Herberton Ladies Pleasure Garden. Somehow the name did not catch on but the Herberton Lions Club has continued improvements in the area and today the park is a quiet place for picnics, a paddle in the cool waters of the Wild River, and a walk along the river bank. Thickets of Wild River Bottlebrush when in full bloom make an unforgettable sight and provide a home for many of Herberton’s birds.

Birdlife

Don’t forget to get your Herberton birds brochure from the Information Centre. The twitcher's list contains the names of over 100 species of birds found locally. See our Flora and Fauna page

Free BBQ

For those who would rather picnic away from the river, a free electrically operated BBQ is available at Darby Camp Park on William Street just down from the Mining Museum and Visitor Centre. A covered area with play equipment makes it ideal for young families.

Contact Us at the Mining Museum and Visitor Information Centre