The Barron River was originally known as Biboohra.  (Biboohra is also the name of a blip on the map town that neighbors Mareeba.)  The river originally flooded in the wet season and dried up in the dry season. Now there's a dam, so there's water all year long.  The locals say you can tell where it has been raining upstream by the color of the silt in the river.  There is a nice footpath next to the river.  It is great for those who are sure of foot. 

The swimming hole next to the Riverside Caravan Park used to be the public swimming pool, complete with races.