About Atherton
Atherton is in the North West corner of the Atherton Tablelands and only 104 kilometres south west of the city of Cairns. It lays between 17o S & 17.30o S parallels, & the 145.20o E & 145.40o E meridians. Annual rainfall approx 56 inches (1400mm).
Atherton township is the hub of the central Tablelands with wide treed streets and colourful gardens and parks, the town also has some distinctive examples of fine Heritage buildings. Atherton was the first town settled on the Tablelands, ideally chosen for its superb natural air conditioned climate and prettiness. The bustling town services locals and the surrounding rural areas with a large range of shopping & sporting facilities, commercial, professional and light industry.
One of the main local attractions is the man made irrigation dam Lake Tinaroo, the irrigation dam is the life source of many of the cropping/rural farms on the Tablelands as well as providing a most popular family camping spot, fishing, water skiing, sailing and all water sports.
The country surrounding Atherton and Tolga is reminiscent of a “patch work quilt” with the colourful blends of the fertile volcanic, cropping land producing diverse crops such as maize, potatoes, peanuts, sugar cane and orchards.
Tolga is just minutes from the service town of Atherton and showing steady growth in it’s own right.
Population: Atherton 6000 approx., Atherton Shire 11,000 approx.
Notable Landmarks
Hallorans Hill is the highest point in Atherton. It is one of the several extinct volcanos in the area. There is a visitors area and viewing platform plus a large park area with childrens playground. It offers the most spectacular views over the patchwork of farmlands of the Atherton Tablelands to Lake Tinaroo and the Seven Sisters (more extinct volcanos) in the distance. Colourful artworks by local artists are scattered throughout.
Shopping
Atherton has the traditional main street of shops, although the shopping precinct has now spread to neighbouring streets. There is a shopping complex at the Northern end of the shopping area containing a major supermarket, retail chain store as well as a variety of speciality stores. Big W have large store nearby and a new shopping complex is being completed as the Southern end of the shopping area.
Rural Industries
Atherton is surrounded by farms, which produced a vast variety of produce including tropical fruits, peanuts, potatoes, maize, citrus, hay, beef cattle. As you head south go get into dairy country.
Elevation above sea level: 750-830 metres
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