Top Things to do in Atherton Tablelands
Top Hotels in Atherton Tablelands
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Top 5 Specialty Museums in Atherton Tablelands, Queensland
Discover the best top things to do in Atherton Tablelands, Australia including The Crystal Caves, Spy & Camera Museum, Mareeba Heritage Museum and Visitor Information Centre, Herberton Mining Museum, The Malanda Story Museum.
Restaurants in Atherton Tablelands
1. The Crystal Caves
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 479 reviews
One hour from Cairns on the Atherton Tableland, share one man’s passion for crystals and fossils. On this self-guided tour, you journey through 300m2 of man-made tunnels and grottos with million year old natural crystals and prehistoric fossils. Interactive crystal displays allow you to feel and photograph and even crack your own…
Reviewed By knickerbocker78 - Bendigo, Australia
We added this place to our travel itinerary due to my sons (14) love of fossils and precious stones. This place did not disappoint and both my kids(14 & 12) said it was one of the best days of their holiday. The museum had hundreds of samples throughout the cave system that you could touch and photograph. You are given headlamps to use as well to help highlight the precious stones. The shop had hundreds of items to purchase that are from all over the world, from necklaces and earrings, to bigger geodes, carved figurines in stone, wind chimes from agate slices. The shop is an attraction in itself. We chose to purchase geode each for the kids to help crack open (which was $25 instead of $30). The staff were lovely and informative about the geodes and including the kids to help them crack open their geodes. They provide a card with information about what is in the geode and where it was from. Up the back of the store is a little sand pit with thousands of tiny gemstones in the sand. My kids spent ages picking the stones out from there (free).
2. Spy & Camera Museum
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 118 reviews
This is one of the largest and RAREST camera collections in the WORLD do not miss this tour, you will not see this anywhere else in the world .Michael Petersen the owner is also a photographer and camera collector the museum also provides a photo restoration service.
Reviewed By robbie1245673
So well worth a visit and James Bond (alias Micheal) as the tour guide oozes with such amazing wealth of Spy history which captivates and you hang off every word so you don’t miss out on the detail. Spy stories (the real deal). Herberton you didn’t disappoint. Thanks 007
3. Mareeba Heritage Museum and Visitor Information Centre
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 253 reviews
Welcome to Mareeba Heritage Museum & Visitor Information Centre. Gain an insight into the region's history and attractions by visiting the Mareeba Heritage Museum & Visitor Information Centre. The Centre is situated 63kms from Cairns on the southern outskirts of Mareeba on the Atherton Tablelands and is open from 9am - 5pm, seven days a week. Closed only on Christmas Day, Boxing Day and Good Friday. FREE ENTRY. Donations are appreciated.
Reviewed By alansZ2748MN - Smithfield, Australia
What a wonderful and informative experience. Amazing exhibits and movement sensors that start the audio commentary. Whether you are interested in the history of tobacco farming, early explorers, mining or local history, this is the place for you. Think Herberton Historical village but on a smaller scale. Definitely worth a visit. Not air conditioned inside so recommend a visit in winter.
4. Herberton Mining Museum
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 55 reviews
The Herberton Mining Museum and Visitor Information Centre is situated on the original 24ha Great Northern Mine site. Follow the interpretive walk past mine shafts and mullock heaps to sheds where the ghosts of a bygone era reside. Visit the museum to experience miners’ stories, interactive displays, tin panning, bush machinery and a working model tin dredge. The museum also houses a large historical archive and their volunteer team fields genealogy and research enquiries from all over the world.
Reviewed By WorldTravla7 - Cairns, Australia
I spent a whole hour in the Herberton Mining Museum and could have spent two or more. The history on display here and the breadth of information is impressive. It was also an honour to be able to enjoy a museum run by dedicated volunteers who take pride in preserving their local history, ensuring the museum is well kept & helping visitors come away with a top experience. I was greeted by Robert who was friendly and jovial and started me off with a small introductory tour & Ivan was also super informative. Interesting facts: - Mining ceased in the 80s when the price of tin (key metal mined at Herberton) plunged after US suppliers flooded the market - The Kuranda railway was originally build to transport material to and from the Herberton Great Northern Mine - The Great Northern Mine buildings dating back to 1929 were severely damaged by cyclone Larry in 2006 and rebuilt I spent the afternoon in Herberton and after the museum did the adjacent Great Northern Mine Walk (Heritage listed site with interpretive signage & Macleod St Trail), enjoyed a cuppa & homemade Monte Carlo at Jacaranda Cafe in town and drove out to the highest road in Queensland which is just outside Herberton. The Herberton Mining Museum is a must do when visiting Herberton. And entry is free/by donation.
5. The Malanda Story Museum
Overall Ratings
3.0 based on 1 reviews
