Business categories in Atherton, QLD

Welcome to Atherton, QLD

Atherton is a town in Far North Queensland. It has a population of 7,287. The town sits on the Atherton Tablelands in the Tablelands Region.

History

Atherton takes its name from John Atherton. He was a pastoralist who settled in Mareeba in 1875. Before adopting its current name, the town went by the names Priors Creek and Priors Pocket. A receiving office opened in 1889, with a post office following in 1903.

Tinaroo Shire chair Frederick Grau dedicated Atherton War Memorial in 1924. The memorial is to the memory of locals who died in World War I. During World War II, Atherton Courthouse became an officers’ hospital. The building still has air raid shelters.

Lifestyle and Entertainment

Atherton’s high altitude gives it a humid subtropical climate. The town hosts a Maize Festival towards the end of August each year. It is also home to the Atherton Agricultural Show each July.