Atherton is the hub of the Atherton Tableland region in Queensland, Australia, located at above sea level. Its population is approximately 5,800 persons. The climate is tropical. Atherton was named after one of its founders, John Atherton, and it became a town on February 23, 1886. Built on the side of an extinct volcano it is surrounded by several small hills known as the Seven Sisters. These volcanic mountains attract tourists.