Atherton, Queensland
Atherton is the hub of the Atherton Tableland region in Queensland, Australia, located at 17°16′S 145°28′E, 752 m above sea level. Its population is approximately 5,800 persons. The climate is tropical. Atherton was named after one of its founders, John Atherton, and it became a town on February 23 1886. Built on the side of an extinct volcano it is surrounded by several small hills known as the Seven Sisters. These volcanic mountains as well as the crystal caves, attract tourists.
Contents |
History
In 1875 James Venture Mulligan was the first European to explore this region. Although he was prospecting for gold, he found tin near what is now the town of Herberton. He passed this information on to John Atherton, who had previously discovered tin deposits at Tinaroo, and after whom the town is now named.
John Atherton was born on August 9, 1837 in Lancashire, England. His family migrated to Australia in 1844 and settled in Bald Blair near Armidale, New South Wales. In 1857 with his brother James, he drove sheep to the Rockhampton district of Queensland and acquired Mount Hedlow station. His family followed, droving cattle in 1860. In 1873 Atherton took up Cashmere Station at the headwaters of the Burdekin River, but sold out in 1875 and moved west to the tableland country.
Originally called Prior's Pocket, the town of Atherton developed from lumber camps. The first official town lots were sold on February 23, 1883.
Chinese History
The Chinese were instrumental in settling Atherton, and a large Chinatown existed before the European settlement. One of the few building left from this era is the Hou Wang Temple.
Geography
The Atherton Tableland is an ideal recreation area for all tourists, offering a wide range of natural and man made attractions, including: waterfalls, extinct volcanic craters, historic mining towns, museums, bird life, wild life, and rainforests in the National Parks. Activities available include: swimming, canoeing, sailing, fishing, and bush walking.
Atherton is notorious for six months of continuous light rain each year, known locally as "the drizzle". Nearby Mareeba somewhat cheekily advertises itself as having "300 Sunny Days A Year".
Average temperatures
- Summer 17–35 °C
- Winter 5–22 °C
Average rainfall
- 1360mm – (annual)
Elevation
750–835 m (2468 feet):
- Atherton 700m
- Kairi 710m
- Lake Tinaroo 670m
- Tolga 760m
Size
- 620 Square Kilometres
Population
Total for Atherton Shire: 10853
- Atherton: 5800
- Herberton: 1500
- Tolga: 935
Economy
The land around Atherton is used to grow a variety of crops, including sugar Cane, peanuts, mangoes, maize/corn, potatoes, avocados and macadamia nuts. Dairy and beef cattle are also reared in the area.
Education
Atherton has two primary schools, one secondary school and a TAFE campus. There are also several day care centres in the town.
- St Joseph’s Catholic Primary School
- Atherton State School
- Atherton State High School
- Tropical North Institute of TAFE
Government
Atherton is in the Australian House of Representatives Division of Kennedy and the Queensland Legislative Assembly electoral district of Tablelands.
Atherton is the seat of the Atherton Shire Council. The council comprises of seven councillors elected from three divisions. The current Mayor is Cr Jim Chapman, and the current Deputy Mayor is Cr Louise de Marzi. The Atherton Shire Council was known as the Tinaroo Shire Council until 1935.
Health
Atherton Hospital is in the Tablelands Health District. It hospital provides obstetric, medical, surgical, operating theatre, accident and emergency services.
Notable people from Atherton
- Peter Beattie, Premier of Queensland
- Ron Grainer, composer
