Mareeba
Mareeba is the major farming and commercial centre of Mareeba Shire. It is located:
- 68km west of Cairns
- 27km west of Kuranda
- 30km north of Atherton
- 83km north of Ravenshoe (for the Savannah Way)
- 75km south of Mossman
- 145km east of Chillagoe
At 52, 585 km², Mareeba Shire is nearly the same size as Tasmania. It includes the towns of Mt. Molloy and Mt. Carbine to the north, Kuranda to the east, Dimbulah and Chillagoe to the west and Irvinebank to the south.
Population
- 6,400 - Town of Mareeba
- 17,500 - Mareeba Shire
Economy
Historically Mareeba Shire has been Australia's biggest tobacco growing area. Due to the deregulation of the tobacco industry many farmers are diversifying into crops such as coffee, sugar cane, mangoes, nuts.
Forestry, mining of gold and marble, and tourism (Kuranda, Chillagoe and Mareeba) also contribute to the local economy.
Climate
There are two seasons in this part of Queensland:
Dry/Winter (April to September):
- Little rainfall with mild to warm conditions
- Average temperatures are maximum 25°C, minimum 5°C -14°C
- Humidity levels are low, averaging between 64% - 68% in July
Wet/Summer (October to March):
- Heaviest rain falling from January onwards, average 903mm falling January to April
- Average temperatures are maximum 38°C, minimum 21°C
- Humidity levels average between 68% - 75%
Current weather forecast for Mareeba.
Environment
Mareeba Shire stretches 400km west from the coastal ranges near Cairns. It ranges in elevation from 600m to 1000m above sea level making it the largest upland region in Queensland. Mareeba is considered the 'Gateway to the Gulf' and the headwaters of the mighty Mitchell River which winds its way westwards towards the gulf.
An area of rugged topography, its geology includes:
- areas of basalt plains formed by lava flows in the east and southeast of the shire.
- exposed granite mountaintops.
- rugged gorges and escarpments.
- limestone caves.
Vegetation ranges from World Heritage rainforest to the east of the shire to dry savannah woodlands in the west. To the north lies the Hann Tableland National Park, home to towering kauri and hoop pines that have remained untouched for thousands of years. Rich gallery forests flank the park's major watercourses.
Mareeba Shire is home to over 300 bird species, making it a favourite destination for bird watchers. One of Australia's premium conservation and wildlife reserves, the Mareeba Wetlands, is situated 22km from the town.
History
- 1840s - Explorers Ludwig Leichardt and Edmund Kennedy traversed the area.
- 1870s - Influx of miners to the Palmer and Hodgkinson goldfields, following the discovery of gold by pioneer, James Venture Mulligan.
- 1876 - Tyrconnell Gold Mine was established. It became one of the richest mines on the Hodgkinson.
- 1877 - Mareeba town settled by pastoralist, John Atherton.
Mareeba became a busy coach change on the track from Port Douglas following the discovery of tin at Herberton in 1880. Just thirteen years later the railway reached Mareeba and it grew from a coach change to a busy railway town.
Indigenous Culture
The Muluridji people roamed the area that is now known as Mareeba town. They maintained their existence through hunting and gathering within their traditional boundary.
The shire is home to many other Aboriginal people, including the Yirrganydji people, the Kuku Yalanji people, the Djungan people, the Bar-Barrum people, and the Walkamin people.
They did not fare well under European settlement, and the region has a bloody history, with several documented massacres of Aboriginal people taking place in the name of progress.
Mareeba Shire currently has a large indigenous population, as well as a host of other nationalities.
Things To See And Do
- Visit the Mareeba Heritage Museum and Tourist Information Centre in Mareeba town.
- Sample locally grown coffee at the Coffee Works in Mareeba. Discover the history of growing coffee in Australia.
- Go birdwatching: Mareeba Wetlands is one of Australia's premium conservation and wildlife reserves, is located 22km north of town. It offers guided tours, canoeing, walking, wildlife spotting or simply relaxing and enjoying the spectacular scenery of a northern Australian wetland. Water lily Photo courtesy of Mareeba Wetlands
- Visit a historic gold mine. Tyrconnell Gold Mine, 82km west, offers historical tours, meals, and accommodation on an outback gold mine.
- Granite Gorge, 10km south west of Mareeba is famous for its large population of rock wallabies.
- Access to World Heritage area (rainforest drives and walking tracks) and the Atherton Tablelands.
- Skyrail - a spectacular ride over pristine rainforest (Smithfield to Kuranda).
- Take a scenic rail trip from Cairns through the Barron Gorge to Kuranda ('Village in the Rainforest') which offers:
- Markets dealing in crafts, home produce, entertainment, etc.
- Butterfly Sanctuary
- Bird World
- Noctarium
- Barron Falls Lookout.
- Head west to the Chillagoe/Mungana historic mining (gold, marble) area. Of particular interest are the National Parks (limestone bluffs and extensive cave systems) and the old copper smelters.
- Have a swim at Davies Creek National Park, Emerald Creek Falls Forestry Reserve.
- The annual Mareeba Rodeo is held in July and is one of the biggest rodeos in Australia, complete with bull riding, barrel racing and bareback riding on bucking broncos.
Services
Mareeba town is a busy commercial centre that services Cape York and the Gulf of Carpentaria. The town provides the following services:
- Service stations (24 hour), mechanics, panel beater
- Hospital, emergency services, doctor surgeries, chemists
- Post Office, banks
- Cafes, supermarkets, camping supplies
- 4 hotels, 2 motels, and 4 caravan parks
- Public Internet access is available at the public library, 221 Byrnes Street.
Access
- Air: Cape York Air Services fly to Chillagoe once a week.
- Train: The Savannahlander departs from Cairns to Forsayth via the Savannah Region southwest of Cairns. This is the real Australian outback with colourful characters and great local hospitality. Sit up front with the driver and listen to great stories from the past and present. The train services Mareeba for Mareeba Wetlands, Dimbulah for Tyrconnell Mine, Lappa, Almaden, Mt Surprise for Bedrock Village Tours, and Undara Experience for Lava Tube tours, Einasleigh, Forsayth for Cobbold Gorge Tours. For connections to any of the Savannah Guides sites mentioned above, contact the individual operator.
- Bus: A daily service operates from Cairns to Kuranda, Mareeba, and Atherton.
- Whitecar Coaches - Phone: 07 4092 1030. Fax: 07 4091 2467
- Self Drive: There are 861km of sealed roads and 1,857km of unsealed roads in the shire. All unsealed roads may become impassable after rain. Check road conditions before travelling- call the RACQ's 24 hour information service on 1300 130 595 or check online.
Further Information
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