The Atherton Tableland also
known as the Cairns Highlands is just one
hour's drive from Cairns but seems a
million miles away from its coastal
cousin. It's a different world with
cooler temperatures and
country-style hospitality.
Atherton Tablelands sitting atop a plateau which rises
up to 1,000 metres above sea level,
the farm and grazing lands of the
Tableland is the 'food bowl' of the
north western tropics, yielding a
constant supply of fruit, vegetables
and grains to local and export
markets. You'll also find more
specialised products like red claw
crayfish, coffee, tea, honey &
macadamia nuts.
For a taste of local Atherton Tablelands produce, or a treat to
take home, the Big Peanut at Tolga sells
peanuts in all flavours, fresh fruit and veg
and aromatic local coffee. Sample honey from
the on-site hives at Atherton Honey or the
farm-fresh strawberries now in season from
Lake Eacham Strawberries.
From the Atherton township, toss a coin and
follow any of the scenic circuit drives
which criss-cross the Tableland. First
things first though - at the southern edge
of town you'll find one of Atherton's major
attractions, the Platypus Park. Here you'll
find a rare opportunity to catch a glimpse
of a wild platypus.
Also close by is the Hastie Swamp Bird Hide,
which gives bird and nature lovers the
chance to view some of the most illusive
migratory birds in their natural surrounds.
A short drive from Atherton, the Hastie
Swamp National Park has been upgraded so
visitors can study birds at close quarters
without disturbing them. You can sit high in
the bird hide and watch or take a
self-guided walk around the swamp.
Yungaburra has existed largely unchanged
since 1910, with more than 30 heritage
listed buildings, as well as
cafes, arts and
crafts
shops, bars and
restaurants. Nearby
are the deep blue waters of twin extinct
volcanic crater lakes, Lake Barrine and Lake
Eacham. Take a leisurely old-time cruise on
Lake Barrine and don't miss the local
Devonshire tea at the lakeside café.
Put the famous Curtain Fig Tree on the
must-see list, it's just minutes from
Yungaburra. Standing 50m tall and spreading
to 39m wide at the base, the tree is more
than 800 years old. The Yungaburra produce
and craft markets are held on the fourth
Saturday each month.
Nearby Mareeba was once the centre of a
thriving tobacco industry and the town's
large Italian population is testament to the
people who pioneered the industry. Don't
forget to stop off at the Coffee Works for
coffee tasting and to take home some local
Tableland coffee.
Make sure you get up early and head to the
Mareeba Wetlands, a 2,000ha protected area
teeming with bird life, including North
Australia's exotic Jabiru and Brolga. Wander
the wetland's boardwalks which offer
fantastic viewing, or
take a tour in a
dinghy with a ranger.
Further south you'll find one of the real
treats of the Tablelands: the Waterfall
Circuit. Based around the tiny town of Milla
Milla, which dates back to 1908, the circuit
covers a 16km scenic drive taking in Milla
Milla, Zillie and Elinjaa Falls, some of the
most picturesque sites of the region. Each
offers easily accessible viewing. The longer
walks to the base of Zillie and Elinjaa are
well worth the effort. Even further south is
Chillagoe with its old mines and caves to
explore. Or Undara's ancient lava tubes.
Special attractions include:
The Rainforest village of
Kuranda with its
Rainforestation, Kuranda
markets and the Pamagirri
Aboriginal Dancers,
Millaa Millaa with its
waterfall circuit and the
ferny green Millaa Millaa
Falls as the highlight,
Yungaburra with its
expansive monthly market
selling fresh fruits,
vegetables, local arts &
crafts and the famous
Curtain Fig Tree
Atherton’s crystal caves and
Lake Tinaroo
Mareeba’s annual rodeo and
it’s wetlands reserve,
Malanda in the heart of the
Tableland’s tempting taste
buds with delicious, locally
grown produce, dairy
products
The twin crater lakes of
Lake Barrine & Lake Eacham,
Chillagoe’s ancient
limestone caves and old
mining sites
Undara's prehistoric lava
tubes to explore
The pace of life's a little slower, the
air's cooler and after a few days, you
realise what Cairns locals have known for
years, that some of the best swimming holes,
most accessible rainforest and most
interesting heritage sites are to be found
amongst the patchwork of farms, forests,
waterways, towns and hamlets that make up
the tropical Tableland.
