Atherton Tablelands - Atherton

Atherton is a historical town with an easy pace. It was the first town settled in the area, hence the reason the tablelands are named after it. Like Mareeba, Atherton serves the outlying farming communities in the highland region, but it is also a thriving town in it’s own right. The CBD bustles during the day, and even McDonalds has taken up residence at one end of the town.

All the services you will need can be found here: restaurants, accommodation ranging from caravan parks to motels, pubs and clubs, and even galleries. A large shopping centre is located in the middle of town, and pretty parks are scattered throughout.

Atherton is built on the side of an extinct volcano, called Hallorans Hill. Surrounding the town are several small hills known as the ‘Seven Sisters’.

From Atherton, a historic steam train carries passengers on a 44-kilometre journey to Herberton, travelling through wetlands and mountain ranges. The steam train stops for lunch in Herberton, where the first tin was discovered in 1880, before returning.

The population of Atherton is approximately 5,800. According to the Atherton Shire Council, the area is growing at a rate of 1.9% per year.