Mareeba: Culture, Coffee and History

Mareeba can be explored from different perspectives: its offerings range from collections and mining history to classic vehicles, coffee, local cuisine and golf. If you’re looking for a hotel in Mareeba, these highlights can guide your planning. First consider which interests you’d like to shape your stay, then choose the options that suit your trip.

Collections and mining history

The Mareeba Heritage Museum displays more than 6,000 objects across 53 exhibitions. This puts a wide range of collection items and topics in the spotlight. The Mareeba Government Assay Office offers a direct connection to the district’s mining history: it was established in 1916 as a government mineral assay office to support the growth of mining in the region.

The disused government mining assay office is located in Arnold Park. It is thought to have possibly served as a local American Postal Exchange (PX) for US troops. Its original purpose as a mineral assay office and its possible later use tell of different periods in the town’s history; the PX function remains an uncertain historical interpretation.

Classic vehicles and regional history

The Blundell Classic Ford Museum focuses on something different. Its seven sheds contain 50 classic Ford cars and 50 tractors. There are also stationary engines and static exhibitions on regional history. The collection thus combines vehicles and technology with memorabilia from the region. Compared with the Mareeba Heritage Museum’s extensive and varied collection, this museum is more strongly focused on classic vehicles, engines and tractors.

Coffee and local cuisine

Jack Murat Coffee brings together several steps in coffee production on a working farm: coffee is grown, processed, roasted and served on site. Every tour ends with a guided tasting of the coffee produced on the farm. Coffee enthusiasts can therefore plan to make the tasting a regular part of the tour.

There are also different options to suit other tastes. Mareeba Drive-In serves freshly made burgers, fries and snacks. Cobra Café offers homemade desserts and treats; this selection may change. So check what’s currently available before visiting. Coffee production and tasting sit alongside casual meals and sweet options as different culinary highlights in Mareeba.

Golf and getting there

You can play golf at Mareeba Golf Club. The club also offers golf club and golf buggy hire, as well as access to the clubhouse. Golf is another way to shape your stay, alongside the town’s cultural and culinary offerings.

To get to Mareeba, you can fly to Cairns and rent a car there. Flight and rental car options may change, so check what’s available when planning your trip. Mareeba is easy to reach by car, and the roads are generally well maintained. As road conditions can change, it’s a good idea to check them before setting off.

Choose hotels in Mareeba based on your interests

The offerings described also differ in format—from exhibitions and collections to a guided tasting, golf and dining. Use these differences to focus your search for a hotel in Mareeba on what interests you most during your stay.

Discover more destinations: Rathdowney, Kinka Beach, Imbil, Tarong, Babinda, Carmila, Flying Fish Point, Boyne Island.

Return to the main travel overview: Queensland.