Picturesque and quaint, historical Herberton (so named for its position at the headwaters of the Herbert River) is situated on the south western ranges of the Cairns Highlands (Atherton Tablelands), 18 kilometres from Atherton and 118 kilometres from Cairns, and is one of the oldest settlements in the area.

The sleepy atmosphere of Herberton belies it's beginnings, for in its heyday, this important tin mining centre boasted a population of 8000, (currently 1500) at least 17 hotels, a brewery and 2 newspapers.

An interesting fact, not even recognised by most Cairns locals, is that the city of Cairns owes its growth and prominence to Herberton, which came about through the need for a reliable route out of Herberton to an accessible port for the shipment of tin, as well as for the transport of necessities into the mining outpost.

Herberton may be accessed by road, either via the Kuranda Range through to Atherton, or via the Gillies Range from Gordonvale through Yungaburra and Atherton, and then south to Herberton. It can also be reached by a turnoff on the Kennedy Highway between Atherton and Ravenshoe.