A visit to Herberton

I had another birthday last weekend and to celebrate we decided to combine a visit to my in-laws, who live in northern Queensland, with a trip to an open-air museum that I have long wanted to visit- the Historic Village Herberton.  We visited this museum in the early 198os not long after it had opened, but the much developed Village of today is significantly improved, though it still honors it's early foundations.  I love open-air museums and have been to quite a few both here in Australia and in the UK.  Each one has it's own character and Herberton is no exception, and we absolutely loved our visit there.  It is very easy indeed to spend the whole day there, which I did.  I made lots of photos, but here are a few which give some idea of what the museum is like, and what I particularly liked!

A feature of the Village generally is that there are a huge number of 'as found' cars, trucks, tractors and other machinery, which would not normally be on display in most museums.  They have been given a protective coating to prevent further deterioration and most are identified regarding their make and year.  I'm not sure if there is any intention of restoring any of these one day, but I'd have to say that they do make a very effective and interesting display just the way they are!

They certainly have an enormous quantity of exhibits, probably more than I've ever seen elsewhere, but they are all clean, well displayed and well lit.

My grandfather ran a Chemist shop in Melbourne in the early part of the last century, and I've always been fascinated by displays of all the pills and potions sold in earlier days.  The Chemist's shop in the village was really well set up and like everywhere else contained LOTS of interesting items!

One of the owners of the Village has a passion for early John Deere tractors- can't blame him for that!!- and there's a very nice display in the newer part of the village.

This newer section, on the other side of the Wild River, is bordered by the former Queensland Railways line that used to run through Herberton to Ravenshoe.  This line has long been disused, but is now being restored by the Atherton Herberton Historic Railway  and rides on restored section cars are operated between the museum and Herberton station.  It worked out better for us to join the ride at Herberton, which we did on Sunday.  The track runs through some pretty spectacular terrain, and the plan is to restore it in stages right through to Atherton.  Anyway, we had a great trip and a good chat with the volunteers operating it.

All in all it was a fantastic weekend, and a very memorable birthday!  I would thoroughly recommend a visit to the Village and a ride on the 'Tinlander'!!