Atherton Tablelands are a self-drive paradise
Hire a car or join a guided tour for the one hour drive up the Kuranda Range road or Gillies Highway, through the mountains surrounding Cairns to discover the vast and varied landscapes of the Atherton Tablelands. Whether your passion is fishing or water skiing, nature walking or wildlife and bird watching, gourmet food, picnicking, swimming, or just chilling out, the lakes, tastes, landscapes, museums and accommodation of the Atherton Tablelands extend a refreshing and tempting welcome to all.
Tropical food and wine, bird-laden wetlands, lush dairy pastures, World Heritage-listed rainforests and stunning ochre savannah plains are all within driving distance of each other and create a unique journey and experiences available nowhere else in the world.
Several coach tours focussing on wildlife, tropical food and wine,bird watching, natural landmarks or a combination of all these depart Cairns and Kuranda for the Atherton Tablelands daily. Or you can join in from one of the regional towns en-route such as Mareeba, Ravenshoe, Tolga, Walkamin, Atherton, Yungaburra, Herberton, or Malanda. Atherton Tablelands are a self-drive paradise. Hire a car, 4WD, or motor home and follow a self-drive trail such as the food and wine, nature or heritage trails, part of Australia’s only true tropical motoring route, The Great Tropical Drive.
Warm and homey B&B’s, interactive farm-stays, camp grounds, caravan parks and luxurious mountain and tree house retreats are scattered throughout Atherton Tablelands making it easy for you to stay and play longer.
Local Highlights
Coffee
Eighty percent of all Australia’s coffee is grown and processed on the Atherton Tablelands. Try a cup of the freshest brew at Skybury’s Australian Coffee Centre or at The Coffee Works.
Craters & Lakes
Lakes and one time volcanic craters like Lake Barrine and Lake Eacham are great free places to swim, paddle, picnic, and see wildlife.
Halloran’s Hill Lookout
The best view of the Atherton Tablelands you can get outside a hot air balloon is from the Halloran’s Hill Lookout on top of a dormant volcano – the highest point in Atherton.
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Food Trail Tour
A personalised experience. A day traveling by small coach. Taste local foods and tropical fruit wines at the source. Get behind the scenes on tour.
(07) 4041 1522
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Sights to See
Wetlands Experience
Learn about and catch a glimpse of rare and native birds at Mareeba Wetlands and Mt Hypipamee National Park on the Atherton Tablelands.
Time Travel
Take a trip back in time at over 50 museums showcasing mining, farming, Australian and Chinese history, spy cameras, crystal caves, hunting, indigenous culture and many more on the Atherton Tablelands.
Local Markets
Yungaburra Arts & Crafts Markets
Visit the largest, monthly markets in the Cairns and Great Barrier Reef region. Held from 7am on the fourth Saturday of every month, nearly all products sold here are locally made or grown.
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