40-515: The Yungaburra National Park is a national park on the Atherton Tableland in Far North Queensland , Australia. This Queensland protected areas related article is a stub . You can help Misplaced Pages by expanding it . This Far North Queensland geography article is a stub . You can help Misplaced Pages by expanding it . Atherton Tableland The Atherton Tableland
80-520: A series of volcanic eruptions occurred over the Atherton Tableland. The oldest eruptions created large, gently sloping 'shield volcanoes' that produced extensive basalt flows. These flows filled the pre-existing valleys, producing a relatively flat tableland surface, instead of the more dissected landscape that existed previously. Around one million years ago, the style of eruption changed. The lavas became more gas-charged, throwing fragmented lava into
120-583: A tropical climate and as such, the name Tropical North Queensland is also used as the name for the region, mostly due to the tourism industry. Tourism Tropical North Queensland (TTNQ) defines its area from Cardwell in the south up to the Torres Strait in the north and west to the Queensland border with the Northern Territory. However, the phrase Tropical North Queensland is ambiguous and may be used to name
160-584: Is a distinct physiographic section of the larger North Queensland Highlands province, which in turn is part of the larger East Australian Cordillera physiographic division. South of the Tablelands is the Bellenden Ker Range . Around 100 million years ago, the eastern edge of the Australian continent extended much further to the east, before tectonic forces fractured the eastern margin, pulling it apart. At
200-591: Is a fertile plateau, which is part of the Great Dividing Range in Queensland , Australia. It has very deep, rich basaltic soils and the main industry is agriculture. The principal river flowing across the plateau is the Barron River , which was dammed to form the irrigation reservoir named Lake Tinaroo . Unlike many other rural areas, the Tablelands is experiencing a significant growth in population. This area
240-533: Is a language of Far North Queensland , particularly the area around Tully and Tully River Catchment extending to the Atherton Tablelands. The Dyirbal language region includes the landscape within the local government boundaries of Cassowary Coast Regional Council and Tablelands Regional Council . The first European exploration of this area, was undertaken in 1875 by James Venture Mulligan. Mulligan and his party were led by Aboriginal guides. Mulligan
280-598: Is an Australian Aboriginal language in North Queensland. The language region includes areas from the Upper Herbert River to Mount Garnet . Yir Yiront (also known as Yiront , Jirjoront , Yir-yiront , and Kokomindjan ) is an Australian Aboriginal language. Its traditional language region is in Western Cape York within the local government areas of Aboriginal Shire of Kowanyama and Shire of Cook , in
320-469: Is an Australian Aboriginal language of the Mossman and Daintree areas of North Queensland. The language region includes areas within the local government area of Shire of Douglas and Shire of Cook , particularly the localities of Mossman, Daintree, Bloomfield River , China Camp, Maytown , Palmer , Cape Tribulation and Wujal Wujal . Warungu (also known as Warrungu , Warrongo , and Waroongoo . )
360-614: Is classified by BirdLife International as one of Australia's Important Bird Areas , supporting over 1% of the world population of the sarus crane and a significant population of the bush stone-curlew . Twelve species of birds are endemic to this area and the mountain ranges immediately south: Atherton scrubwren , Bower's shrikethrush , bridled honeyeater , chowchilla , fernwren , golden bowerbird , grey-headed robin , Macleay's honeyeater , mountain thornbill , pied monarch , tooth-billed bowerbird and Victoria's riflebird . Far North Queensland Far North Queensland ( FNQ )
400-535: Is home to three World Heritage Sites , the Great Barrier Reef , the Wet Tropics of Queensland and Riversleigh , Australia's largest fossil mammal site. Far North Queensland lays claim to over 70 national parks , including Mount Bartle Frere ; with a peak of 1,622 metres (5,322 ft) it is the highest peak in both Northern Australia and Queensland. The Far North region is the only region of Australia that
440-492: Is the indigenous country of both Aboriginal Australians and Torres Strait Islanders . Far North Queensland supports a significant agricultural sector, a number of significant mines and is home to Queensland's largest wind farm, the Windy Hill Wind Farm . Various government departments and agencies have different definitions for the region. The Queensland Government department of Trade and Investment Queensland defines
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#1733085886655480-574: Is the northernmost part of the Australian state of Queensland . Its largest city is Cairns and it is dominated geographically by Cape York Peninsula , which stretches north to the Torres Strait , and west to the Gulf Country . The waters of Torres Strait include the only international border in the area contiguous with the Australian mainland , between Australia and Papua New Guinea . The region
520-613: The Atherton Tableland , Hinchinbrook Island and other resort islands such as Dunk Island and Green Island . Major attractions around and in Cairns include Cairns Aquarium , Cairns Botanic Gardens , The Reef Hotel Casino , Kuranda Scenic Railway , Barron Falls and the Skyrail Rainforest Cableway . Towns and localities attracting large numbers of tourists include Cape Tribulation , Port Douglas , Mission Beach and Cardwell . The Australian Bureau of Statistics estimates
560-793: The Pacific Ocean in the east and extending inland to west of Mount Mulgrave . This includes the local government boundaries of the Shire of Douglas , the Shire of Cook and the Aboriginal Shire of Wujal Wujal and the towns and localities of Cooktown , Mossman , Daintree , Cape Tribulation and Wujal Wujal . It includes the head of the Palmer River , the Bloomfield River , China Camp , Maytown , and Palmerville . Kuku Yalanji (also known as Gugu Yalanji , Kuku Yalaja , and Kuku Yelandji )
600-514: The Solomon Islands and Vanuatu . Cairns has the highest population of Papua New Guineans outside of Papua New Guinea itself. Yalanji (also known as Kuku Yalanji , Kuku Yalaja , Kuku Yelandji , and Gugu Yalanji) is an Australian Aboriginal language of Far North Queensland. The traditional language region is Mossman River in the south to the Annan River in the north, bordered by
640-552: The Atherton Tablelands economy, with Tinaroo Dam and extensive trail network being the focal point. Atherton and Mareeba are the largest towns in the area. Herberton , Kairi , Kuranda , Malanda , Millaa Millaa , Tinaroo , Tolga , Yungaburra , Chillagoe , Walkamin and Ravenshoe are also located on the Atherton Tablelands. The tableland contains several small remnants of the rainforest which once covered it, many of which are now protected in national parks . It
680-519: The Australian coast. It impacted the Northern Territory and Far North Queensland in April 2006. In January 2011, Cyclone Yasi passed over Tully and resulted in an estimated $ 3.6 billion worth of damage, making it the costliest cyclone ever to hit Australia. In December 2023, Cyclone Jasper crossed the Far North Queensland coast south of Cooktown as a category two cyclone. It later stalled over
720-534: The Tanks Arts Centre, Cairns Civic Theatre, and Cairns Art Gallery. The region supports a large tourism industry and is considered a premier tourist destination in Australia. Nearly one third of international visitors to the state come to the region. Attractions include the Great Barrier Reef , Daintree Rainforest and other Queensland tropical rain forests within the Wet Tropics of Queensland heritage area,
760-532: The air, which built the numerous, small scoria cones such as the Seven Sisters , near Yungaburra . Some of the rising magma interacted with groundwater, producing violent eruptions that led to the formation of maar volcanoes, such as Lake Eacham and Lake Barrine . Although all the volcanoes in the Atherton Basalt Province are regarded as being extinct and volcanism has been waning over time, given
800-601: The area. Many mining towns have come and gone, going through a boom and bust cycle as mines were depleted. The Mount Mulligan mine disaster occurred on 19 September 1921. Seventy-five workers were killed, making it the third-worst coal mining accident in Australia. The region suffered Queensland's worst maritime disaster on 4 March 1899 when the Mahina Cyclone destroyed all 100 ships moored in Princess Charlotte Bay . The entire North Queensland pearling fleet
840-572: The catchments of the Coleman River and Mitchell River . Following the removal of Aboriginal people from their traditional lands, it is also spoken in Pormpuraaw and Kowanyama . Yidinji (also known as Yidinj , Yidiny , and Idindji ) is an Australian Aboriginal language of North Queensland. Its traditional language region is within the local government areas of Cairns Region and Tablelands Region , in such localities as Cairns , Gordonvale ,
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#1733085886655880-636: The community grew they also built a temple to worship at, the Hou Wang Temple . The temple remains standing today and was added to the Queensland State Heritage Register in 1992. Agriculture is now the largest industry in the Tablelands Regional Council area. Crops grown in and around Atherton include banana , sugarcane , corn / maize , avocados , strawberries , macadamia nuts and mangoes and citrus . Tobacco
920-529: The continent at a length of approximately 14,500 kilometres (9,000 mi) and is the longest national highway in the world. Despite being Highway 1, not all sections of the Savannah Way are designated as a federally funded National Highway and certain sections remain unsealed. Despite being in a housing crisis, the region has a very high unoccupied house rate. In the 2021 Australian census in Douglas Shire
960-467: The deaths of seven people. In early 2000, Cyclone Steve caused major flooding between Cairns and Mareeba . Cyclone Larry crossed the Queensland coast near Innisfail in March 2006. The storm resulted in an estimated $ 1.5 billion worth of damage and damaged 10,000 homes. 80% of Australia's banana crop was destroyed. Cyclone Monica was the most intense cyclone on record in terms of wind speed to cross
1000-527: The district prior to being sent to the front and then again on their return. Many soldiers were interred at the war cemetery in Atherton. The construction of a dray road through the Tableland brought a secondary rush of settlement after the mining rush, this time timber cutters. Redcedar cutters camps were at Rocky Creek, Prior Pocket, Oonda Swamp (Carrington) & Ziggenbein's Pocket. Tree species used for
1040-493: The late 19th-early 20th century. Yidinji (also known as Yidinj , Yidiny , and Idindji ) is a local Australian Aboriginal language . Its traditional region is within the local government areas of Cairns Region and Tablelands Region , in such localities as Cairns , Gordonvale , and the Mulgrave River , and the southern part of the Atherton Tableland including Atherton and Kairi . Dyirbal (also known as Djirbal)
1080-420: The rate of empty homes was 18%. Significant industries include tourism, cattle grazing, agriculture and mining of both sand and bauxite . Agricultural products generate between $ 600 and $ 700 million a year. Sugar cane , tropical fruits including bananas, mangoes, papaya, lychees and coffee are grown in Far North Queensland. The region is home to the world's biggest silica mine at Cape Flattery . The mine
1120-510: The region as an area comprising the following 25 local government areas; Aurukun , Burke , Cairns , Carpentaria , Cassowary Coast , Cook , Croydon , Doomadgee , Douglas , Etheridge , Hope Vale , Kowanyama , Lockhart River , Mapoon , Mareeba , Mornington , Napranum , Northern Peninsula Area , Pormpuraaw , Tablelands , Torres Strait Islands (not autonomous) , Torres Strait Islands (autonomous) , Weipa , Wujal Wujal , and Yarrabah . The main population and administrative centre of
1160-498: The region is the city of Cairns. Other key population centres include Cooktown , the Atherton Tableland , Weipa , Innisfail and the Torres Strait Islands . The region also consists of many Aboriginal and farming groups. The northeastern point of Highway 1 passes through the region in the city of Cairns and connects the southern-running Bruce Highway to the western-running Savannah Way . Highway 1 circumnavigates
1200-513: The region's population at 280,638 in 2014. The region contains 25.6% of the state's Indigenous population, or 28,909 people, making up 11.8% of the region's population. In addition to its large Indigenous community, there is also a large number of Melanesians in Far North Queensland, due to the region's close proximity to Melanesia . The majority of them are from Papua New Guinea or are South Sea Islanders , who descend from labourers who were blackbirded and brought to Queensland from Fiji ,
1240-462: The relatively recent activity, it is possible that further eruptions could occur in the future. The Atherton Tableland has a long history of Indigenous occupation. Aspects of traditional Aboriginal land use and culture have been documented from the period of first contact to present. Aboriginal people with ties to the region seek to maintain their culture today, despite a long period of forced removal from their lands following European occupation in
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1280-434: The same time, slowly rising mantle material caused a doming up of the continental crust. As the eastern part of the continent broke away, it gradually sank below sea level. Since that time, the uplifted western portion has been slowly eroding westwards, creating the abrupt Great Escarpment , which separates the coastal plain to the east from the uplifted tablelands to the west. Between 4 million to less than 10,000 years ago,
1320-438: The southern York Peninsula resulting in record rainfall along the eastern coast that lead to the 2023 Cairns floods . Port Douglas received more than a metre of rain in a few days. The region has many unique native animal species such as crocodile, endangered southern cassowary, koala, flying possum, python, water dragon, wallabie, flying fox, tree kangaroo, platypus, leaf-tailed gecko and bandicoot. Far North Queensland has
1360-526: The southern part of the Atherton Tableland including Atherton and Kairi . Far North Queensland is the location of the first amber fossils to be found in Australia. The four-million-year-old fossils were found on a beach in Cape York Peninsula but were probably washed ashore after drifting with the currents for about 200 km. In the 1860s, Richard Daintree discovered gold and copper deposits along several rivers which led early prospectors to
1400-476: The timber industry include red cedar , kauri , maple , black bean , walnut , white beech and red tulip oak . As part of the mining and timber booms a large population of Chinese-Australians moved into the Atherton Tableland region. In addition to mining and timber, the Chinese population took up agriculture. They grew fruit and vegetable crops and were some of the first to grow maize in north Queensland. As
1440-414: Was also grown until October 2006 ( 2006-10 ) when it was ended by a Government buyout. Dairying, grazing and poultry are also present on the Tableland. Dairying was once the backbone of local industry in the region, with hundreds of dairy farms dotting the landscape. The deregulation of the dairy industry in 2000 is blamed for the decline. Tourism is the second largest economic driver of
1480-531: Was established in 1967 and was severely damaged by Cyclone Ita in 2014. Rio Tinto Alcan operates a bauxite mine on the western coast of Cape York Peninsula near Weipa which contains one of the largest bauxite deposits in the world. In recent years, Far North Queensland has become increasingly known for its artistic and creative offerings, with the Cairns Indigenous Art Fair , and Cairns Festival both held annually. Active arts organisation include
1520-453: Was in the bay at the time of the cyclone. Approximately 100 Aboriginals assisting survivors and 307 men from the pearling fleet were drowned. Its pressure was measured at 914 hPa with a recorded tidal surge of 13 m, the highest ever in Australia. The 1918 Mackay cyclone hit the Queensland coast in January of that year, killing 30 people. In March 1997, Cyclone Justin resulted in
1560-425: Was prospecting for gold, but instead found tin. In 1879, John Atherton and his party settled with their cattle near the town which now bears his name. Atherton Creek is also named after John Atherton. The town of Herberton was established on 19 April 1880 by John Newell to exploit the tin find, and mining began on 9 May. Later that year, Herberton had a population of 300 men and 27 women. At its apogee, Herberton
1600-604: Was the richest tin mining field in Australia, and was home to 17 pubs, 2 local newspapers and a brewery. In the late 19th century, the Mulligan Highway was built through the hills from Herberton and passed through what is now Main Street, Atherton, before continuing down to Port Douglas. This road was used by the coaches of Cobb and Co to access Western Queensland. In the Second World War , Australian troops were camped around
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