Things to do: Atherton Tablelands

Lake Eacham Crater Lakes

A clear, blue lake by a cool rainforest, offering swimming, birdwatching, canoeing, picnic areas and shady walking tracks.

The Bat Hospital

A unique opportunity to see the internationally-renowned bat hospital and meet some Australian bats. See what is special about these flying mammals and their upside-down world.

Crystal Caves

Wander through the tunnels and grottos that feature the million-year-old natural crystals and prehistoric fossils.

Lake Tinaroo

A popular spot for swimmers, water skiers, bush walkers & fishing (permit required) in the Danbulla State Forest.

Hastie’s Swamp

A birdwatcher’s delight, with seasonal wetland, a diverse range of resident and migratory birds. The swamp contrasts with the lush rainforests found on the Atherton Tableland.

Yungaburra Markets

The Markets provide a relaxed atmosphere and has the philosophy of fostering the local growers, producers and artisans that gather to display and sell their produce and handiwork.

Halloran Hill Regional Park

The Hill is an extinct volcanic cone covered in open eucalypt and rare mabi forests. With spectacular views of the surrounding landscape from the regional park at the summit.

Peanut Place Tolga

The freshest selection of the highest quality Queensland grown peanuts in your choice of raw, boiled, flavoured or roasted nuts.

Shaylee Strawberries

The rich red volcanic soil and temperate weather conditions are just right for the cultivation of large succulent strawberries. Only the choicest fruit are grown and harvested only when fully ripe.

Platypus Park

The natural surroundings of Tarzali Lakes is the place to participate in platypus viewing, camping and dining at the Cafe.

Northern Tablelands

1

Golden Pride Winery

This unique experience of visiting a working mango plantation, to taste some refreshing tropical Mango Wines, Mango Port, & Mango liqueur style wine.

2

Granite Gorge National Park

Rock wallabies are endangered and unique to the Mareeba area, the Granite Gorge is their natural habitat. Birdwatchers come for the extensive range of savannah bird life in the park.

3

Warbirds Adventure Aviation Museum

The line-up of aircraft at the Museum are always changing.

4

Mareeba Wetlands

The traditional Country of the Muluridji people; protecting over 5000 acres of savannahs and wetlands and providing a sanctuary for much of tropical Australia’s savannahs and wetland flora and fauna, as well as its cultural heritage.

5

Coffee Works

Always strived for excellence, creating and perfecting more than 43 rich and delicious coffees, 4 luscious liqueurs and a large range of fine handcrafted chocolates.

6

Mt. Mulligan Escarpment

The deserted Mt Mulligan town has plenty of activities including horse riding, quad bikes and fossicking, all while soaking up the peaceful atmosphere of the weir and its spectacular mountain backdrop.

7

Tyrconnell Historic Goldmine.

The unique culture of the goldmining era, walk in the Australian bush, birdwatch or pan for gold. The Australian outback can be yours to experience with a unique offering peace & quiet, clean fresh air and a beautiful crowd-free environment.

Central Tablelands

1

Irvinebank

The small historic former tin town provides shelter for relaxation under the shade of the old fig tree that line the streets. The large water impoundment close to town is always full of water and gives a lakeside ambience.

2

Herberton

The village owes its existence to Herberton’s pioneers and the dedicated residents who followed them. The buildings and thousands of original items displayed reflect everyday life in North Queensland as it was from the 1880s on ward.

3

Atherton

Atherton is a town and locality on the Tablelands Region. The area was known as Priors Pocket or Priors Creek.

4

Malanda

A pretty town home to Malanda Falls and is great for bird watching, bushwalking, and scenic drives. The centre of a highly successful dairying industry, the village has many artists with a vibrant mosaic depicting the town’s history.

5

Yungaburra

A vibrant mix of alfresco café culture, boutique shopping, and famous Yungaburra Markets. Explore natural attractions and drive, hike or bike through stunning rainforests and pastoral countryside.

6

Curtain Fig Tree, Cathedral Strangler Fig Tree, Giant Red Cedar Tree

The giant Curtain tree has several aerial roots hanging down from its branches that look like curtains. It’s over 500 years old.The Cathedral Fig Tree is a gigantic 500-year-old strangler tree. Cathedral Fig has the reputation of being the best place to hear an early morning bird ‘singing’ in the Atherton Tablelands. Red Cedar tall, deciduous tree up to 40 m in height and 1-2 m in stem diameter. The bark is grey or brown, very scaly and rough, and sheds in oblong pieces.

7

Mt. Bartle Frere & Mt. Bellenden Ker

Mt. Bartle Frere the highest mountain in Queensland and the fourth highest on the Australian continent. 1622 metres above the green of Far North Queensland, has an impressive, and slightly formidable, reputation. Receives over 10 metres of rain a year. Mt.Bellenden Ker is the second highest mountain in Queensland, with a height of 1,593 metres. Both peaks resistant granite and are remnants of an escarpment that has been eroded by the Russell and Mulgrave Rivers.

6

Tichum Creek Coffee Farm

They roast and brew 100% Australian coffee in a boutique production designed to produce the very best gourmet flavours. The coffee grown in a clean, tropical environment on the Cairns Highlands.

Southern Tablelands

1

Millstream Falls National Park

The falls plunge over the edge of a columnar basalt lava flow, reputedly the widest single-drop waterfall in Australia.

2

Tully Gorge National Park

The river plunges down the Cardwell Range, through a densely forested gorge.

3

Ravenshoe

The highest town in Queensland located in a lush region of mountain pastures and un-spoiled World Heritage rainforest.

4

Millaa Millaa Waterfalls Circuit

The Circuits, Rainforest Walking tracks in Wooroonooran National Park, Mamu Canopy Walkway, Crystal clear rivers on the Southern Tablelands Dairy Country.

Extra Attractions

1

Cairns Hot Air Ballooning

Ballooning over the scenic Atherton tablelands with its rain forest fringed mountains and tranquil country landscapes.

2

Rainforestation Nature Park

The Nature Park was previously a coffee and orange plantation midst the World Heritage rainforest of the Kuranda region.

3

Paronella Park

Heritage-listed attraction located at Mena Creek, Queensland. A Spanish castle set in the rainforest.

4

Northern Experience Eco-Tours

The magnificent World Heritage wet tropics rainforest, swimming in waterfalls, experience the uniqueness of the Tropics.

5

Barefoot Tours

Time to appreciate the beauty of nature, the tour is about relaxing and enjoy a great day out.

6

Tjapukai Aboriginal Cultural Park

The world’s oldest living culture featuring an inspiring photographic exhibition and historic films reveal the diverse history of Australia’s Aboriginal people.

7

The Billabong Kuranda

Pristine tropical rainforest with eucalypt woodlands, a spectacular venue specialising in unique experiences to talk about for years to come.

Restaurants

1

Nick’s Restaurant

Fine food, using local, fresh and seasonal products. Rustic alpine traditional environment. Check-out the musical instruments or just observe our cuckoo clocks. Wheelchair, vegetarian, pet friendly.

2

Fitzpatrick Tavern

A landmark of Kuranda “the Village in the Rainforest”. A stately timber pub right in the centre of the main street.

3

Chilverton Cottages & Fine Dining

Waking to a choir of birds chirping, platypus swimming, possums at night, relaxing in the serene grounds of Chilverton Cottages.

4

Flynn’s Restaurant Yungaburra

Enjoy food that you would love to cook for yourself. Prepared mostly with local ingredients grown in the Atherton Tablelands.

5

Caf Kuranda

The cafes and coffee shops give the village a laid back ambiance, offering tropical sensations to suit discerning taste buds.

6

Forest Fusion Restaurant

Nestled amongst the lush rainforests of Barron Gorge National Park. A tranquil poolside dining experience overlooking the treetops. The food reflects a fusion of influences from the local area and abroad.

7

Frogs Restaurant

The range of delicious meals in a friendly and sophisticated atmosphere that is sure to please the most discerning diners. Sit on the verandah and enjoy the forest and antics of the water dragons.

8

Mt. Uncle Distillery & Bridges Restaurant

The distillery of a multitude of liqueurs sourcing ingredients and fruits from Mt Uncle farm itself and other local farm lands. The Bridges Bar & Restaurant serving delicious wood fired pizzas, slow cooked meats, salads, and desserts. Meet the very friendly alpacas, donkeys and goats, and marvel at the beautiful peacocks roaming freely.

Bars on the Atherton Tablelands

1

Mt. Molly Hotel

The Pub is a popular lunch stop for day travellers. Includes a beer garden, pool room, covered verandah compliment the main bar.

2

Barron Valley Hotel

The Hotel is a fabulous pre-war hotel right in the heart of Atherton. Enjoy the unique atmosphere while you relax with a cold drink or meal in the bar, dining room or out on the downstairs or upstairs deck.

3

Tolga Hotel

An iconic, double-storey, heritage hotel in the township of Tolga. Enjoy a hearty pub meal, cold beer and good old-fashioned hospitality.

4

Lake Eacham Hotel, Yungaburra

The Yungaburra Hotel. Built in 1910 with Federation architecture and displays of historic photographs of the area’s early saw milling days.

5

Ravenshoe Hotel

Historic Family hotel built in 1927! The Hotel is back with the original owners with 70 years of family history. Classic accommodation, Great meals, Cold beer.

6

The Malanda Hotel

This obvious landmark, characteristically built from the timber of local trees and is reputed to be the largest timber hotel in Australia. You will notice the prominence of local timbers, in the floorboards and the magnificent staircase made from local Silky Oak. Tasty counter meals with cold beer, wine, spirits.

7

Peeramon Hotel

Historical the oldest pub on the Tablelands, great meals, cold beer & spirits with fair dinkum country hospitality

8

Royal Hotel Herberton

Great atmosphere and ice-cold beer, amazing scenic views, being situated 920 above sea level on the highest regions of the Atherton Tablelands.