The breathtaking Atherton Tablelands in North Queensland is an absolute do bucket-list attraction, filled with a beautiful temperate climate, a massive diverse landscape with attractions, and covering an area of 64,768 square kilometres.
The drive through the Atherton Tablelands features World Heritage Listed sites, ancient rainforest, volcanic lakes, ranges, waterfalls, mountains, National Parks, coffee plantations, coastal areas, swamps, wildlife and birds galore, an abundance of flora and fauna, and quaint towns filled with antique and art and craft shops. There is something to please all interests on this must-do scenic drive and it will certainly not disappoint!
Top attractions include:
Paronella Park (Heritage gardens and ruins located on 13 acres)
Rainforestation Nature Park
Hou Wang Miau Chinese Temple
Tableland Express (Historic steam train journeys)
Granite Gorge Nature Park
Warbird Adventures Aviation Museum
Tyrconnell Historic Goldmine
Hidden towns including Irvinebank, Herberton, Eacham,
Atherton, Malanda & Yungaburra
Bromfield & Hasties Swamp
Curtain Fig Tree, Cathedral Strangler Fig Tree & Giant Red
Mt Bartle Frere & Mt Bellenden Ker
Millstream Falls National Park
Tully Gorge National Park
Millaa Millaa Waterfall Circuit
Below is a list of the drives that can be enjoyed throughout the Atherton Tablelands. It covers Northern, Central, and Southern Tablelands and features something for all interests:
Great Outdoors Trail:This Drive offers clean, fresh mountain air, picturesque surroundings, and uncrowded wide open spaces and features the perfect setting for bushwalks, hikes, and cycling opportunities.
The Great Outdoors Trail also includes mountain bike parks with an international reputation, making this trail perfect for those with a passion for extreme sports. The bike parks are suitable for beginners through to extreme sports experts.
The trail begins at Kuranda and highlights include:
Barron Gorge National Park
Davies Creek Mountain Bike Park
Mount Baldy Walking Track
Atherton Forest Mountain Bike Park
BIG 4 NRMA Atherton Tablelands Holiday Park
Spectacular and interesting insights into the formation of the Atherton Tablelands over millions of years can be discovered on this trail.
It starts at Lake Barrine, Yungaburra and highlights include:
Hallorans Hill Conservation Park
Seven Sisters (series of seven volcanic mounts- best viewed from Halloran's Hill Lookout)
Malanda Falls Visitor Centre
Undara Experience (Lava Tubes- walk the path of a volcano)
This idyllic and easy drive will showcase the regions cultural and natural history through small villages and towns.
The trail starts from Mareeba or Ravenshoe and highlights include:
Tablelands Regional Gallery
Herberton Camera & Spy Museum
Historic Village Herberton
Atherton Tablelands is a natural wonderland that is filled with an array of spectacular and breathtaking waterfalls, swimming holes, crater lakes and pristine flowing streams.
The trail starts at the northern end of Kuranda or southern end of Innisfail/Millaa Millaa with highlights including:
Heritage Trail:
Immerse yourself with the Heritage Trail drive amid the natural beauty. There is so much to explore and discover on this trail that will delight the senses, including discovering interesting and engaging facts about the region's rich mining heritage, forestry and farming traditions along with newer agricultural industries, and the cultural practices of the local Indigenous people.
You will pass through heritage-listed country towns, quaint architecture, and friendly, old-fashioned service.
The trail starts at Mareeba and highlights include:
Mareeba Heritage Museum & Visitor Information
Rocky Creek War Memorial Park
Yungaburra Heritage Village
Atherton-Herberton Historic Railway
Millstream Falls WWII Track
If you are a nature lover or photographer buff, then this trail is a must! You will explore and discover World Heritage-listed forests, wildlife and birdlife.
The trail starts at Daintree-Cairns-Kuranda and highlights include:
Daintree Discovery Centre
Hartleys Crocodile Adventures
Barron Falls National Park
Jumrum Creek Conservation Park
Peterson's Creek Platypus Walk
Foodie lovers will not be disappointed on this trail! This trail will feature glorious food, fresh and abundant, grown and prepared locally. You will pass farmers and processors.
The trail starts from Mossman-Mareeba and highlights include:
Anzac Trail:
Atherton Tablelands is filled with a rich history from WWI, WWII to recent times honouring the fallen in Afghanistan. This journey will window into the past and present.
The trail starts from Cairns and highlights include:
Cenotaph in most towns in the Atherton Tablelands which represent "Tablelanders" that did not return home.
Signs depicting the relevant Division that was camped at that location.
Barron Valley Hotel in Atherton- this became the Officers Club
Rocky Creek- the 19th Field Ambulance prepared a camp area in readiness for the 5 Australian Camp Hospital. Today, Rocky Creek lists every Division that was based on the Atherton Tablelands.
Avenue of Honour- located on the Tinaburra Peninsula
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