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Drive west from Herberton, notice the old mine workings
to the right of the road as you come down the Watsonville
range.
Slow down for the tiny hamlet of Watsonville
with its windmill in the middle of the road.
From there you pass through the Bakerville
area with its stands of Eucalyptus alba (white smooth
bark and large leaves.)
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Just after Bakerville is the Stannary
Hills turn off take the road to the left and
you come to the Jumna Creek area, which is the most
accessible place to view the purple wattle - Acacia
purpureapetala and Grevillea glossadenia.
From the Jumna area you climb the Irvinebank range
then past stands of Cycads and into Irvinebank.
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Established in 1882, the settlement grew into one of the
major towns in the North and when you explore this Heritage
Town, you'll discover a place like no other.
Irvinebank offers the visitor a glimpse of a village,
which was once the centre of a vast mining empire, stretching
across North Queensland and beyond.
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Visit Loudoun
House Museum the home of John Moffat the founder
of Irvinebank.
View and photograph the School of Arts hall,
the old Queensland National Bank, Tramway
Station, Vulcan mine, the old Police Station
and Court House. The old Post and Telegraph office
now Tin Town Gallery, Mango Cottage, Freethinker
Cottage and the Cemetery are picturesque
windows to the past. |
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The Irvinebank Tavern offers fuel, food, accommodation,
cold beer and free camping.
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There are some fantastic photographic opportunities
around the heritage-listed
buildings and by the town dam where you can enjoy
a refreshing swim.
You can picnic under the magnificent 100-year-old
fig trees (Ficus benjamina) in the centre of Irvinebank.
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Black swans and family on Montalbion
dam |
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With over 100 species of birds recorded
you can relax and enjoy some bird watching.
View our local Bird
List.
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The Irvinebank area is well known amongst plant
enthusiasts for rare and unusual plants including two endemic
species - found nowhere else in the world.
| Acacia
purpureapetala is the only wattle with purple flowers.
Grevillea glossadenia is a 2 m busy shrub
with bronze new growth and orange-red flowers.
Both these species can be viewed with ease from the
road side at the Jumna Creek area. There are also
many other interesting flora species in the Irvinebank
area.
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Allow a full day for your visit or stay over night
and experience old time country hospitality.
Visit Historic Irvinebank and lose yourself
in the past.
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Loudoun House Museum
c/o Post Office, Irvinebank, 4887
ph / fax
(07)40964020
Email
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Irvinebank School
of Arts & Progress Association Inc
c/o Secretary
c/o Post Office, Irvinebank, 4887 |
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Irvinebank Tavern
and Cabins
Post Office, store, fuels, fuel, Eftpos, cabins,
meals, free camping. There's been a hotel on this
site since 1884. Ph:07 40964176
DARK Tag-A-Long Tours
Website,
Email
Enjoy guided tours of historic Irvinebank and the
surrounding outback all from the comfort of your
own 4WD.
Tin Town Gallery
Email
Situated in the old Irvinebank Post and Telegraph
Office, Tim Town Gallery offers the visitor local
arts and crafts. Phone 40964009.
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nyone
interested in living history and heritage architecture should
definitely visit Irvinebank. Hidden deep within the wild ranges
west of Herberton and less then 2 hours drive from Cairns,
it is one of North Queensland's best kept Secrets.
