Mt Hypipamee crater, Atherton Tablelands, Queensland, Australia

The Mount Hypipamee Crater

Tropical Queensland, Australia

The Mount Hypipamee Crater was formed by volcanic activity 10 000 - 15 000 years ago.

Located 23 kilometers south of Atherton, 27 kilometers north of Ravenshoe and 16 kilometers east of Herberton in the Hugh Nelson Range, Mt Hypipamee National park is one of the most interesting rainforest environments on the Tropical Atherton Tablelands.

The crater is a volcanic pipe formed by a massive explosion of subterranean gas. A platform allows a spectacular view into the crater 58 meters above the lake which has formed below. The lake is about 82 meters deep.

Of course there is an abundance of wildlife and birdlife in the rainforest surrounding the crater, including the Green ringtail possum, the golden bowerbird, spotted catbird, toothbill bowerbird and Victoria's riflebird, which is a bird of paradise.

The trail to Mt Hypipamee Crater follows the Barron River from her source. From there the Barron flows to Lake Tinaroo before irrigating the fields of Mareeba and tumbling over the edge of the plateau at Kuranda.