Herberton

QLD 4887 • Queensland

895
Population (2021)
N/A
Median Personal Income
23.32 km²
Area
N/A
Median Rent
HistoricRuralFamily-FriendlyRetirees

About Herberton

Herberton is a historic inland town situated on the Atherton Tablelands in Far North Queensland, roughly 17 kilometres south-west of Mareeba and 80 kilometres south-west of Cairns. With a population of approximately 895 people and an area of 23 square kilometres, it sits at an elevation that gives it a cooler, misty climate compared to the tropical coast. Originally founded as a tin mining settlement in 1880, Herberton retains a strong heritage character with many of its original buildings preserved along the main street.

Herberton is perhaps best known for the Herberton Historic Village — one of Australia's largest open-air living museums — which attracts thousands of visitors each year and showcases over 50 restored historic buildings and artefacts from the colonial era. The town has a warm, tight-knit community, appealing to those who value a relaxed rural lifestyle amid the natural beauty of the Tablelands. Local facilities include a primary school, secondary college, small shops, a hotel and the services typical of a rural Queensland town.

Herberton falls under postcode 4887 and is governed by the Tablelands Council (Local Government Area). For federal elections, residents vote in the electorate of Kennedy, while state elections fall under the Hill electorate.

📍 Location

State
Postcode
4887
Urban Area
N/A
LGA / Council
Federal Electorate
State Electorate
Type
Locality
Timezone
Brisbane (UTC+10)
Coordinates
-17.38°, 145.39°
Statistical Area
N/A
Area
23.32 km²
Population Density
38 /km²
Elevation
0m

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🚌 Transport & Commute

Bus Services

  • Trans North Bus & Coach — Cairns via Atherton 90-120 min

Commute to Cairns CBD

Distance
80 km
By Train
No direct train service
By Car (Peak)
90 min
By Car (Off-Peak)
80 min

🛣️ Drive via Gillies Highway or Kennedy Highway; coach services available to Cairns

Walkability Car-Dependent

Small town centre accessible on foot; a car is essential for most transport and shopping needs

🛒 Supermarkets Nearby

No major supermarkets listed for this suburb.

🎓 Schools

🚔 Crime Statistics LGA-wide

These are the latest rates for the Tablelands Local Government Area, which contains Herberton. Rates are per 100,000 residents for calendar year 2025; trends compare 2 and 10 year periods.

Break & enter (dwelling)
1,556.7 / 100k
Motor vehicle theft
414.2 / 100k
Non-FV assault
1,156.9 / 100k
Robbery (unarmed)
35.7 / 100k
Steal from vehicle
346.3 / 100k

Source: Queensland Police Service via data.qld.gov.au

👥 Demographics

Census 2016
0
Census 2021
895
0% growth

Population Growth

Gender Distribution (Census 2021)

Personal Income 2016
N/A
Personal Income 2021
N/A
0% increase

Personal Income Comparison (2016 vs 2021)

📊 Population: ABS Census 2021
💰 Income: ABS Census 2021

Nearby Suburbs

Frequently Asked Questions

What is Herberton known for? +

Herberton is best known for the Herberton Historic Village, one of Australia's largest living open-air museums, set in the former tin mining town on the Atherton Tablelands.

How far is Herberton from Cairns? +

Herberton is approximately 80 km south-west of Cairns, about a 90-minute drive via the Kennedy or Gillies Highways.

What schools are in Herberton? +

Herberton State School (Prep–Year 12) and Mount St Bernard College (a Catholic secondary school) both serve the Herberton community.

What is the climate like in Herberton? +

Herberton has a subtropical highland climate with cooler temperatures than coastal Cairns. Winters are mild and dry, while summers bring rain but remain far less humid than the coast.

Is Herberton a good place to live? +

Herberton offers an affordable, quiet rural lifestyle with a strong community and unique historical heritage, making it attractive to retirees, families and those seeking a tree change in Far North Queensland.

Is Herberton a safe area? +

Crime statistics are recorded at the Local Government Area level. Herberton is part of the Tablelands LGA — see the Crime Statistics section on this page for the latest recorded offence rates per 100,000 residents, along with 2-year and 10-year trends.

What is the population of Herberton? +

Herberton had a population of 895 at the 2021 Census.