Far North Queensland
Atherton Tablelands
A History of Culture, Nature & Community
700–1,000m
Elevation
Above sea level
~65,000 km²
Area
Tableland region
1,200–2,500mm
Rainfall
Annual average
UNESCO
Heritage
Wet Tropics listed
Historical Timeline
Indigenous Occupation
Aboriginal peoples, particularly the Ngadjon-Jii, Mbabaram, and Jirrbal nations, have lived on the Atherton Tablelands for tens of thousands of years, developing rich cultures deeply connected to the rainforest.
European Exploration
John Atherton and his party became among the first Europeans to explore the tableland, traversing the region while searching for new pastoral land.
Tin Mining Boom
Discovery of tin at Herberton in 1880 sparked a mining rush, rapidly attracting settlers and establishing the first townships across the tablelands.
Town of Atherton Established
The town of Atherton was gazetted and began growing as a service hub for the surrounding farming and mining communities.
Railway Connection
The Kuranda Range railway was extended to Atherton, dramatically improving access and enabling the transport of agricultural produce to Cairns and coastal ports.
Agricultural Expansion
Land clearing for dairy farming, maize, and tobacco cultivation transformed the tableland landscape. European and Chinese settler communities established diverse farming operations.
Peanut Industry
The Atherton Tablelands became one of Australia's leading peanut-growing regions, with the Tolga Nut Co-operative established to process and market the crop.
World War II
The tablelands served as a major staging and training ground for Allied forces in the Pacific campaign. Tens of thousands of Australian and American troops were stationed throughout the region.
Post-War Growth
Post-war immigration brought new communities from Europe. Dairying, timber, and mixed farming industries expanded, cementing the tablelands as a vital food-producing region.
Wet Tropics World Heritage
The Wet Tropics of Queensland, including much of the Atherton Tablelands rainforest, was inscribed on the UNESCO World Heritage List, recognising its outstanding biodiversity.
Tourism & Agriculture
The tablelands evolved into a sought-after eco-tourism and agritourism destination, renowned for its crater lakes, waterfalls, coffee and avocado farms, and wildlife experiences.
PRZ Tax & Accounting
Serving the Atherton Tablelands
Local accounting expertise for the communities we call home.
Call 07 3286 2894