Location
ATHERTON TABLELANDS
What it is?
The Atherton Tablelands covers a huge area encompassing: Atherton, Malanda, Lake Tinaroo, Lake Eacham, Lake Barrine, Yungaburra, Herberton, Millaa Millaa, Ravenshoe and many more towns. It does not include Mareeba, which i thought it did, so i will do a separate post on Mareeba.
There is so much to do up here that you really need a week to be able to explore the lot, the Herberton Museum alone is recommended as a full day. Literally, there is something for everyone up here: history, crystals, waterfalls, hiking, camping, 4WDing, kayaking, and strawberry picking.
What it offers?
From Walkamin you can view the windfarm.
Lake Tinaroo has camping, hiking, kayaking, swimming, and a lookout overlooking the dam wall.
Yungaburra has historic and heritage listed buildings, the Avenue of Honour, markets, platypus, camping and Art.
Herberton is known for its fantastic historical museum. There is also the Herberton Range National Park and east of there is the Mount Hypipamee Crater.
Malanda has waterfalls, rainforest, markets and history.
Ravenshoe is the highest town in Queensland and is also home to several waterfalls and hikes. Millstream Falls is to the west and has the widest drop for waterfalls in the area. If you keep going to the west you will arrive at Innot Hot Springs and further along is Mount Garnet.
Millaa Milla is a famous waterfall with the highest single drop. You can do the waterfall circuit here and find many more waterfalls within the surrounding area.
National Parks including Tully Falls, Millstream Falls and Crater Lakes National Parks.
Wheelchair Access?
May require assistance.
Millstream Falls and Malanda Falls are accessible, and some sections of the towns and museums.
It would be best to call ahead and check when devising your itinerary.
What we did?
Windfarms
There is a windfarm near Walkamin, but if you really want to see a windfarm up close and personal, head towards Ravenshoe. You will be able to get extremely close at Windy Hill.
Lake Tinaroo
While driving around Lake Tinaroo as a day trip, we didn’t realise there would be so much to stop and look at. By the time we got to Atherton it was after 3pm, we were starving. It is recommended if you want to do a day trip to have a look at what is, take a picnic lunch. We drove into each of the campsites to check out where we considered to be the best place that we could go back to for a weekend, unfortunately, we never did return for a weekend. Platypus Rock is where we would stay when we return. We like hiking and swimming, and this seemed to be the best area for that. We also stopped at the dam lookout which offers a good outlook over the lake and dam wall.
Yungaburra
Having been told that Yungaburra has the biggest markets in the area we decided to check it out, and they weren’t wrong. If you enjoy going to the markets, be sure to add this to your trip. After the markets we walked around the town and had a coffee and people watched for a while. The big old pub is a feature that cannot be missed as you drive into town. We then drove out to the Avenue of Honour and paid our respects. From here you can also access Lake Tinaroo via Tinaburra Drive boat ramp, there is camping available at the tourist park.
Mount Hypipamee National Park
This area offers hiking to waterfalls and the Crater. This was the first time i actually saw Michael look a bit wary of the height above the crater that we were standing, keeping in mind that we have climbed bridges and numerous mountains to various lookouts. It was not a strenuous or hard walk and the views were worthwhile.
Malanda
One long weekend we stayed at the caravan park right next to the Malanda Waterfall. The first morning, we strolled around the market next door and got some fruit and vegetables to eat over the weekend. We went to the information centre which is located on the other side of the falls, and the lady there was very helpful. From here you can walk across the road and wonder through the rainforest. We spent the next day chasing waterfalls and visiting farms such as Nerada, Gallo and Mungalli. We must have seen over a dozen waterfalls that weekend, my favourite was Ellinjaa Falls. To read more about waterfalls, we have an entire post dedicated to them.
Ravenshoe
The weekend we explored Ravenshoe, we drove as far west as Innot Hot Springs. There were a lot of people lazing around enjoying the warm and at times, hot water.
Millstream Falls
We went to Millstream Falls and Little Millstream falls.
There is better opportunity for exploring at Little Millstream Falls and we spent a bit of time wondering around the area. We had the wrong car (my non 4WD car) on the first trip up, so we had to do a second trip to go in and check out McKenzie Falls. It was worth the extra trip. There is so much black rock and FYI, don’t wear your hiking safety shoes (thongs) like us, as proper shoes would have made it much easier for exploring.
Tully Falls National Park
had camping, 4WD and a dam to check out.
Crater Lakes
Saving the best for last, the Crater Lakes! Lake Eacham is a 100% must see/do. It is utterly beautiful. If you are in the area, or plan to be anywhere near Lake Eacham, be sure to add time to your schedule. There is hiking and/or swimming available there, or you can just sit there and people watch or picnic while you waste an hour or three.
Highlight?
I was going to say that you can’t make me choose between Lake Eacham and the waterfalls, but Lake Eacham doesn’t involve hiking and there is more room to sit away from other people, so i will go with Lake Eacham.
Would I do it again?
We drove up to the Atherton Tablelands on many occasions and when we return to the Cairns area, i guarantee you that we will return. There is just so much to see and do here.
What do you need?
As a couple: Time! Pre-downloaded maps on your phone (reception is patchy between towns); water bottles; stainless steel coffee cup; healthy snacks for the tracks; wide brim hat: sunscreen; bug spray; good sturdy shoes; swimmers and towels; umbrella for sun/rain; jacket; picnic and picnic blanket.
With Kids: water; snacks; wide brim hat; sunscreen; bug spray; good sturdy shoes.
With Pets: Domestic animals are not permitted in National Parks. People double check with the area you are visiting if dogs are permitted (farms etc have biosecurity restrictions).
Yearly Events
These are the Save The Dates for the rest of 2024
9 June – Queensland Family Fun Day Malanda;
14-23 June – Shakespeare’s Romeo and Juliet @ APA;
16 June – Mareeba Metrogaine;
21-25 June – NYX Festival;
22 June – Iron & Steam Fair, Historic Village Herberton;
5-7 July – Malanda Show;
6 July – Irvinebank Festival;
6 July – Amber Lawrence Junction Hotel Dimbulah;
8-9 July – Atherton Show;
12-14 July – Kuranda Roots Festival;
13-14 July – Mareeba Rodeo;
20 July – Chillagoe Festival;
20 July – Fleetwood Mac & Stevie Nicks, Atherton Hotel;
20-21 July – Troops & Trains WWII, Herberton Railway;
25 July – Women in Business Lunch & Learn (ATCC);
3 August – Paul Tabone Viva Pavarotti @ APA;
4 August – Maize Festival High Tea Kairi;
17 August – Maize Ball Yungaburra;
28 August – Women’s Evening Networking (ATCC);
31 August – Atherton Maize Festival Parade;
1 September – Iron & Steam Fair;
7-8 September – Herberton Flower Show;
7 September – Festival of Flowers Mt Molloy;
7 September – North Qld Heritage Expo – Herberton Mining Centre;
September – Date TBC – Smokey Blue Rally;
5-20 October – Torimba Festival Ravenshoe;
11-13 October – Savannah in the Round;
12 October – Malanda Bull Ride;
17 October – Women In Business Development Day (ATCC);
19-20 October – Jacaranda Festival Herberton;
25-27 October – Tableland Folk Festival;
21 November – Christmas Street Festival Malanda;
6-8 December – Flat out at the Falls Water Polo Malanda;
*dates are subject to change, please confirm details with event organisers
For more information please visit the below website: https://www.athertontablelands.com.au/whats-on/