Community & Business
15 October, 2023
Weekend of family fun at Jacaranda Festival
AS the trees change colour and the streets transform into a sea of purple, it’s time to welcome the Jacaranda Festival in Herberton.
This year’s Jacaranda Festival will be held on 21-22 October and brings with it a weekend full of activities.
On Saturday 21 October, Grace Street will close (from William St to John Street) from 8.30am to 5pm for the free Family Fun Day.
Starting at 10am and finishing at 4pm there’ll be lots to see and do with a treasure hunt at the top of the list.
It’s not just any old treasure hunt though, organisers have gone ‘high-tech’ and you can complete it on your smartphone; there’s also real treasure at the end.
Herberton Mining Museum will also open their doors with the volunteers joining in on the family day fun.
They’re holding a rolling tin panning competition, free guided tours of the Great Northern Mine, interactive displays, glow in the dark minerals, or head along for a self-guided walk.
Set in the historic village of Herberton, within walking distance of the main street, there’ll be stalls, food trucks, Daisies & Dragons Face Painting, or clown around with Flip Ripley Magic & Comedy at the Family Fun Day.
Don’t forget about the decorated bike competition – dress yourself and your bike up to take part.
Entries should move to the stage at noon – U9 years and 10-15 years – with awards for first and second in both categories. Judging starts at 12.30pm, with the winner presentations and grand parade to follow shortly afterwards.
Get up close and personal with some cute visitors from Roaming Wild visiting on the Family Fun Day.
There’ll also be live entertainment including a performance from Herberton Chamber Orchestra.
If that’s not enough, or you want to spend the weekend in the historic town, Sunday has plenty on offer.
With a change in location, Sunday’s event will take place at Herberton Station at the bottom end of John Street.
The Atherton Herberton Historic Railway will fire up the 1913 Peckett Steam Train for rides from 10am to 2pm.
The team at Atherton-Herberton Historic Railway is offering tickets for steam train rides on both Saturday and Sunday; $20 for adults, $10 for children and family tickets will also be available.
Wander through the community markets, the Railway Museum, take a Railway Workshop Tour, or just enjoy the historic town.
During the weekend a number of businesses will open their doors including Historic Village Herberton, Bakerville Tea House, Herberton Jacaranda Cafe, High Grounds Coffee and Royal Hotel Herberton, welcoming all visitors to town.
For more information visit herberton1880.com.au or follow Jacaranda Festival Herberton on Facebook or @jacarandafestivalherberton on Instagram.
