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Atherton Tableland - Cairns Highlands

As you drive through the Atherton Tablelands you will see numerous farms and pastures.  Exotic fruits, such as lychees, are commonly grown in this region.  Other fruits such as paw-paws and bananas are also very common.   Many of the farms have small stalls in front of them to sell to the general public.

The communities are small and friendly, as you would expect most country towns to be.  The Atherton Tablelands offer plenty of walks and waterfalls throughout the region.  A very good book by Tyrone Thomas "50 Walks in North Queensland" guides visitors through the many walks throughout the region with detailed maps, distances, highlights and grades (easy to hard) to make the most of your walks.

The rolling hills of the Atherton Tablelands

The rainforests of the Atherton Tablelands are lush and green all year round, but especially nice just after the monsoonal rains in April.  All the waterfalls are at there best, caution must be exercised when swimming during this period, as the rainfalls have increased the strength of the streams and creeks within the areas.

Taking a day tour is the preferred way to see the Cairns Highlands, with local companies picking up visitors from their accommodation and taking a full day to see all the sights, such as Lake Barrine, Lake Eacham, Tinaroo Dam, Curtain Fig Tree and many more, then returning around 5pm to Cairns.  There are numerous wildlife reserves and National Parks with scenic walks.  Waterfalls and swimming holes populate the entire region. With waterfalls, such as Nandroya Falls, Josephine Falls, Millaa Millaa Falls and Millstream Falls catching many visitors cameras throughout the year.  During the Wet Season, all the Falls are all breathtaking in their natural beauty.

Lake Barrine - Cairns Highlands

The rich , fertile volcanic soil of the Atherton Tablelands provides and excellent source for primary producers. Dairy farms and fruit orchards are commonplace, with Banana's and exotic fruits like the Lychees are grown and sold locally and well as being sold to the lucrative International market.  There are constant reminders of the once active volcanic activity in the region as evidenced by Volcanic creations such as Lake Barrine and Lake Eacham. 

 

Things to do on the Cairns Highlands

Mt Uncle Distillery - Walkamin

Established at the turn of century, the distillery has been crafting fine liqueurs that embody the natural beauty of this exotic region.

Daily wine tasting's are available from 10am to 5pm.

More about Mt Uncle Distillery on the Cairns Highlands.

 

Curtain Fig Tree

Witness this unique act of nature, whereby a small tree, fertilised in the upper canopy of the rainforest descends its sinew-like roots to the ground dragging the Herculean host tree down.

 

How to get the Cairns Highlands

There are two popular ways to get to the Cairns Highlands.

One is to take a day tour and just sit back a relax whilst the driver takes you through all the highlights and providing informative commentary along the way.

The other is to self-drive and have the freedom of staying as long or as little as you like at any of the destinations.

 

Tropic Wings - Luxury Coach Tours

Tropic Wings Day Tours. Your luxury touring coach will collect you from your hotel to join the Scenic Railway Journey to Kuranda. You will be met and given free time in the Village. Transfer to the Rainforestation Nature Park where you can either

• Experience Aboriginal and Islander Culture on the Dreamtime Walk and the the Pamagirri Dancers in the rainforest amphitheatre or
• Journey through the rainforest on an amphibious army duck - a unique experience on land and water. Then enjoy a tropical BBQ lunch before setting off around the Atherton Tablelands.

 

 

Atherton Tablelands Accommodation

 

"Where else would you want to be?"