Mount Hypipamee Crater

Located southeast of Herberton on the Atherton Tableland in Far North Queensland, Mount Hypipamee Crater, also known as 'The Crater', provides visitors with a glimpse into the fascinating geological history of Australia.

This spectacular diatreme boasts a diameter of 61 metres and an impressive depth of 82 metres, making it one of the largest diatremes in the world.

In 1879, Weate and his party's accidental discovery of "The Crater" on a gold prospecting expedition towards the Mulgrave River led to the establishment of the nearby Mount Hypipamee National Park in 1908. At the "crater trust" meetings during the 1930s, several names were suggested, including "Herberton Crater," before the decision was made to name it after its traditional Dyrbal name - Mount Hypipamee.

According to local legend, the name Hypipamee is derived from a corruption of the Aboriginal word, nabbanabbamee, meaning "swallowed up." The legend is connected to the story of two young men who cut down a sacred candlenut tree and were consumed by a large hole in the earth—the crater.

Visitors to Mount Hypipamee National Park can also enjoy the nearby Dinner Falls at the head of the upper Barron River gorge. The falls are situated amidst stunning forested scenery and provide a picturesque backdrop for hiking and other outdoor activities.

For years, it was believed that "The Crater," along with Lake Eacham and Lake Barrine, were interconnected underground by water tunnels. Nonetheless, Mount Hypipamee Crater remains an excellent example of