Discover Mareeba: History, Coffee and Classics

Mareeba brings together regional history, unusual collections, coffee from cultivation to tasting, and its own food and leisure scene. The Mareeba Heritage Museum showcases more than 6,000 objects across 53 exhibitions. There is also a decommissioned government assay office with a distinctive local history, and a museum filled with classic Ford vehicles and tractors.

Local History and Collections

With more than 6,000 objects across 53 exhibitions, the Mareeba Heritage Museum offers a broad insight into regional history. The size of its collection makes the museum a key stop for anyone wanting to add stories and exhibits from the region to their stay. On the third Saturday of each month, the 100 Park Markets are also held in Centenary Park, next to the museum and the Mareeba Visitor Information Centre, from 7 am to 12 pm.

Another part of local history is the Mareeba Government Assay Office. It was established in 1916 as a government mineral assay office to support the growth of mining in the district. The decommissioned government mining assay office is located in Arnold Park and is believed to have served as a local American Postal Exchange (PX) for US troops. The history of mining and this presumed former use give the site another historical dimension.

Ford Classics and Regional History

Classic vehicles are the focus at the Blundell Classic Ford Museum: the museum has seven halls containing 50 classic Ford cars and 50 tractors. It also features stationary engines and static exhibitions about regional history. This brings together vehicles and technology with insights into the history of the region. If you enjoy comparing different types of collections, you can visit this museum as a distinct attraction alongside the Mareeba Heritage Museum.

Coffee, Food and a Round of Golf

At Jack Murat Coffee, the journey from growing to serving coffee happens on the farm: coffee is grown, processed and roasted on the working farm, then served on site. Every tour ends with a guided tasting of coffees produced on the farm. It’s a hands-on way to get to know Mareeba through a locally produced product, from the farm to the cup.

There are also different options for a meal or a sweet treat. Mareeba Drive-In serves freshly prepared burgers, fries and snacks. The Cobra Café offers homemade desserts and treats. When choosing a holiday rental, you can take your interests into account and consider coffee and food, as well as history and collections, as part of your destination experience.

Mareeba Golf Club offers rounds of golf, club and golf buggy hire, and access to the clubhouse. This gives golf enthusiasts another specific reason to include Mareeba in their travel plans. Along with its museums and coffee farm, the club shows how your stay can be shaped around a range of personal interests.

Getting There and Choosing Your Destination

To get to Mareeba, you can fly to Cairns and hire a car there. Mareeba is easily accessible by car, and the roads are generally well maintained. If you’re considering a holiday rental in Mareeba, the attractions described here can help you decide whether the town suits your trip. Your decision may depend on whether you’re most interested in regional history, classic vehicles, coffee, food or golf.

Explore other destination pages for Ravenshoe, Palmview, Oxenford, Kuttabul, Hamilton Island, Barney View, Conondale and Tin Can Bay.

For the broader travel overview: Queensland.