Mareeba is an hour’s drive west of Cairns and is known for its tropical fruit farms, coffee plantations, wineries and the Mareeba Markets held once a month. There is the annual Mareeba Rodeo held in July each year and the Multi-Cultural Festival held annually in August. You can explore the town’s history and heritage at the Mareeba Heritage Museum.  The region is acknowledged as the richest region for birdlife in Australia. The Mareeba Wetlands offers wildlife watching and guided tours.

Boasting 360 sunny days a year Mareeba has perfect conditions for exploring the area from the sky; microlight and gyrocopter flights at Jaques Coffee Plantation, hot air ballooning at sunrise and scenic flights in a restored warbird aeroplane at Mareeba Airport. Numerous crops are grown, including avocados, mangoes, lychees, longans, sugar cane, cashews, macadamias, bananas, pineapples, tea tree oil, coffee, and a variety of vegetables and tropical fruits. Poultry and cattle are also common. Tobacco was once a main-stay of the local economy, but is no longer grown within the shire.  Tourism also contributes to the local economy.

Emerald Creek

Emerald Creek Falls offers public toilets, barbeques and tables, and a walking track leading to an excellent lookout.

Davies Creek

A popular locals’ picnic spot, Davies Creek Falls, also has camping grounds and there is a moderate 850 metre circuit walk which takes you to the head of the falls.

Location

Mareeba is located close to Atherton on the Atherton Tablelands and about an hour’s drive from Cairns.