10 things I love about Atherton
Nurse Kira at Tropical Vets Atherton
Living and working on the Tablelands, there's always something happening in the local community, or a great day trip on offer, with markets and hikes throughout the region. Here are ten things that make this part of the world special to me.
1. Bull riding finals at the Showgrounds
The Atherton Showgrounds host the Great Northern Bullriding Series Finals on Saturday 7 November. Gates open at 5pm, with the main event from 7pm under lights. It's a fully licensed night with food vendors and giveaways, and one of the biggest nights on the Atherton calendar.
2. Atherton Roosters home games
Several of us from the clinic enjoy heading to Mungalli Ck Dairy Stadium to watch the Roosters play during the Far North Queensland Rugby League season, across A Grade, Reserve Grade, Women's, and Under-19s. Worth checking the FNQRL fixture list for home dates.
3. Lake Eacham
One of my favourite spots for a swim. This crater lake sits within Crater Lakes National Park, with a 3km circuit track and more than 180 recorded bird species. Kayaks and canoes are a great way to spot turtles and fish.
4. Gillies Café and Bar
At the top of the Gillies Range in Yungaburra, known for all-day breakfasts and a great lunch. Friday nights bring live music and a tapas menu, and it's a popular stop after a swim at Lake Eacham.
5. Yungaburra Markets
Held on the fourth Saturday of each month at the Bruce Jones Market Grounds (next one is 26 September), with up to 260 stalls of local produce, crafts, and food. This is one of my favourite spots to visit on a weekend, especially when combined with a walk or swim in one of our beautiful local lakes.
6. The Waterfall Circuit
A 17km scenic loop near Millaa Millaa taking in three iconic waterfalls: Millaa Millaa Falls (the most photographed, with a deep swimming pool), Zillie Falls (7.5km on, viewed from above or via a track to the base), and Ellinjaa Falls (another 3km along, with twin cascades and a hidden ledge behind the falls). An easy day trip.
7. Rotary FNQ Field Days
Run by the Atherton and Mareeba Rotary Clubs, this is the largest agricultural field day event in the north, drawing around 5,000 people through the gates each day. Held biennially, the next event runs 26 to 28 May 2027 at the Mareeba Rodeo Grounds. It began in the mid-1980s when the Beattie family offered land on their potato farm for the first field day.
8. The Maize Festival
A special one for us in Atherton, running over three weekends: a morning tea with the Maize Queen and Princess entrants, a formal ball, then a finale weekend with a street parade, night markets, and the winners announced. Running since 1962 as an ambulance brigade fundraiser, it's still entirely community run today.
9. Tablelands Better Beef Open Day
Just wrapped up for the year on 23 August. Our colleagues at Gener8 Repro ran carcass and ovarian scanning demonstrations across properties in the district, now in its eighth year with eleven studs across twelve breeds opening their gates. Worth keeping an eye out for next year if you’re interested in bovine reproduction technologies.
10. Tinaroo Dam
One of the best spots on the Tablelands for a day trip. There are plenty of picturesque areas around the dam to explore, with quiet spots perfect for an afternoon picnic. It's also a great place for a swim with the dogs, and popular with anglers and boaties alike, with fishing, boating, and watersports all on offer.
There's always something happening here on the Tablelands, and that's a big part of what makes the Tropical Vets team so passionate about Atherton.
