BIRDING The Mareeba region is In fact, many visitors call into the NEAR MAREEBA acknowledged by birding experts as museum for tourist information and one of the richest areas for birdlife in end up spending a considerable MOUNT MOLLOY Further along the Australia. Nearly half of Australia’s 828 amount of time there. Mulligan Highway, 30 minutes from bird species can be found here and Mareeba, is the historic mining and birders have recorded over 300 species See into the past with displays on timber town of Mount Molloy. It is within a 15km radius of Mt Molloy. Aboriginal culture, early explorers, named after Patrick Molloy who, The Mareeba Wetlands is a regionally pioneer and early history, the war significant Brolga and Sarus Crane years, the Mt Mulligan mine disaster while searching for stray bullocks, and the timber and tobacco-growing found the copper outcrop, which put roost. industries. the town on the map in the 1890s. Today, the town and surrounding ATTRACTIONS After exploring the markets, Nature based experiences can include area has a population of around make your way into the Mareeba cooling off in the rock pools after 300. Heritage Museum. Offering a real exploring Emerald Creek Falls where insight into the region’s rich history, there are public toilets, barbecues and HISTORIC SITES Located at the south- the museum is a must do when visiting picnic tables. There is also a walking east corner of the Mount Molloy Mareeba. track leading to an excellent lookout. cemetery near the mature grevillea tree is the resting place of James (Venture) Mulligan. A condensed but beautiful biography of his life can be read on his tombstone. Visitors can also visit the old steam engine that was used to supply the WATCH VIDEO power to the local sawmill, which is located at the southern entrance to Mount Molloy. MAREEBA EVENTS NOT TO BE MISSED JULATTEN Tucked away in the rainforest just to the west of the The Mareeba markets are held on The Far North Nomads Chapter of the popular coastal town of Port the second and fifth Saturday (when Campervan and Motorhome Club of Douglas and only 10 minutes drive these occur) of the month between Australia hosts the event, which is from its neighbour Mount Molloy is 7am and 12 noon in Centenary Park, held at the end of July. The event is next door to the Heritage Museum. now in its 17th year and has become Julatten. This small village attracts an extremely popular celebration in thousands of birders each year Gourmet homemade jams, delicious fresh produce with an abundance of Mareeba. on the lookout for species that include Spectacled Monarch, Blue- tropical fruit, arts and craft, including The Mareeba Rodeo runs from July Faced Parrot Finch, Lesser Sooty woodwork, handmade baby clothes 2 until July 17 and dates back to and stunning jewellery, are just some 1949. There’s an agricultural show Owl, Red-Necked Crake, Pied and exhibition, wood-chopping Monarch, Yellow-Breasted Boatbill of the things you will find at this great little market. competition, an agricultural show and Orange-Footed Scrubfowl. and exhibition, wood chopping In summer, the spectacular Buff- Mareeba also welcomes plenty of competition, junior cowpokes, Breasted Paradise Kingfisher is grey nomads for its annual Christmas night parade, garden show and the another highlight. in July celebrations. crowning of the rodeo queen. 38 www.athertontablelands.com.au