WITH the scent of fresh damper in the air, visitors to Herberton were transported back to another era yesterday as the historic village unveiled some of its new attractions.

A 70m suspension bridge across the Wild River has opened up more land for the museum, including a new outdoor kitchen where visitors are treated to a traditional miner's lunch of damper, billy tea and stew.

Cook Noel Evennett, who is responsible for whipping up the meals on an open fire, said it provided an insight into how miners got by in the 1880s.

"It shows how things were done before gas and electricity  they really roughed it," he said.

Another addition is a chemist shop set 100 years ago, with hundreds of bottles of medicine lining the walls.

Curator Darryl Cooper said some of the medication on display would be sure to raise interest among visitors.

"It's funny how there was no political correctness back then, there are things like over-fatness pills," he said.

The bridge, built using locally sourced timber, is also set to be a tourist attraction in itself, Mr Cooper said.

"After the wet season when the river is rushing it makes a significant sound," he said.

"When it's really flowing it's spectacular."

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