Atherton Tablelands
Atherton Tablelands
4.5
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4.5
685 reviews
Excellent
449
Very good
206
Average
22
Poor
4
Terrible
4
Jef L
5 contributions
Nov 2022
We hired a little zot car for the day out of Cairns and just self drove after a bit of research. Weren't allowed to drive on dirt roads. Bummer. Be aware of this condition prior to car hire depending on what you hire I suppose. Will limit your access to most waterfalls.
Curtain fig and Cathedral fig both sensational. Cathedral fig we got to well after dark. Walked with torches. Saw fireflys, insectivorous bats, a Splendid Ghost moth, big carpet snake, white tailed water rat. Tinaroo dam and town. Interesting military history. Dam outlet is spectacular up close. You can walk the dam wall during daylight hours. Yungaburra Peterson's Creek conservation park was a little hidden gem.
We didn't even know it was there.
Platypus viewing platform right on the main road into town.
But drive a bit further to the suspension bridge.
We saw a platypus and FIVE Lumholtz Tree Kangaroos including a family with baby. Unreal. Surprisingly more agile in the tree tops than I had expected after previously only seeing them in zoo/wildlife park situations. This made the whole trip really. A few hundred metres of creek. There was also quite a large colony of flying foxes, saw and heard a Catbird and lots of Magpie Geese flying in V formation over head.
You can donate to the volunteer group who maintain Peterson's Creek.
Money well spent.
Lovely little town. Nice pub.
Drive down the Gillies Range is very windy. Take care.
Curtain fig and Cathedral fig both sensational. Cathedral fig we got to well after dark. Walked with torches. Saw fireflys, insectivorous bats, a Splendid Ghost moth, big carpet snake, white tailed water rat. Tinaroo dam and town. Interesting military history. Dam outlet is spectacular up close. You can walk the dam wall during daylight hours. Yungaburra Peterson's Creek conservation park was a little hidden gem.
We didn't even know it was there.
Platypus viewing platform right on the main road into town.
But drive a bit further to the suspension bridge.
We saw a platypus and FIVE Lumholtz Tree Kangaroos including a family with baby. Unreal. Surprisingly more agile in the tree tops than I had expected after previously only seeing them in zoo/wildlife park situations. This made the whole trip really. A few hundred metres of creek. There was also quite a large colony of flying foxes, saw and heard a Catbird and lots of Magpie Geese flying in V formation over head.
You can donate to the volunteer group who maintain Peterson's Creek.
Money well spent.
Lovely little town. Nice pub.
Drive down the Gillies Range is very windy. Take care.
Written 25 November 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Brian E
Melbourne, Australia166 contributions
Feb 2021 • Family
The tablelands are a wonderful place to visit and provide a welcome escape from the hot coastal area of Cairns and Palm Cove. Hire a car and head up the mountain enjoy Mareeba but head further west in the tablelands to Atherton and various places doing a loop from Mareeba and Atherton and then Ravenshoe. Head back to Cairns via the southern route as there are many things to see including Great coffee places, tea and lakes and water sink holes. Try and do a pub lunch perhaps at Atherton there’s a great pub there. The drives are very scenic on the tablelands and the roads are easy. If you are keen pack and overnight bag and head out to Chillagoe where you’ll find some extremely old limestone caves were tours are available with hardhat and torch well worth a visit
Written 6 January 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
jane h
Leatherhead, UK5 contributions
Mar 2020
A visit to Atherton Tablelands requires wheels. I was fortunate enough to have hired a campervan which kept me dry during very wet peirods. Viisitng at this time of year enabled the beautiful waterfalls to be seen at there best and the landscapre looking very lush.
Offers a great contrast to the coastal landscapes.
Offers a great contrast to the coastal landscapes.
Written 2 April 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
duncrich
Brisbane, Australia32 contributions
Sept 2022
Bushwalks, wildlife, old style villages, tea plantations, coffee museum, river trips, crater lakes and lots more, plus cooler weather than down on the coast. Don't believe the scary stories about the Gillies Highway to get there. It's a windy road if if you're careful, you won't have any problems.
Written 15 September 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
grannydi2
Edinburgh, UK26 contributions
Feb 2020
We spent the day with relatives who drove us around the various attractions, which the Fig tree and the Flame tree avenue, a memorial to the military who fell at Afghanistan. Afternoon tea was taken at a tea plantation, with the most delicious scones.
A tropical downpour was experienced as we had a pub lunch in Atherton.
A tropical downpour was experienced as we had a pub lunch in Atherton.
Written 7 March 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Annette A
Campbelltown, Australia1,893 contributions
Aug 2022 • Couples
Terrific scenery & good roads as you drive through a changing environment of temperate to rain forest to the plateau. Lake at the top provide fresh water & good farming land especially for mango trees is evident.
A great place to go for a look at & enjoy nature.
A great place to go for a look at & enjoy nature.
Written 2 August 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Raymond W
Townsville, Australia4,533 contributions
Jul 2021 • Couples
The Atherton Tablelands is one of those regions which is more than the sum of its parts. You could point out the waterfalls, the rainforest, the cool climate, the historic towns, and the rolling landscapes. However, it is really the combination of all these things which make this a special place. To really do the Tablelands justice, you should allow three days of leisurely exploring.
Written 8 July 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Kirsten H
Melbourne, Australia91 contributions
Aug 2022
We decided to drive ourselves and do a tour of the Atherton Tablelands and we had a great time.
We stopped for Devonshire tea at the Lake Barrine Teahouse - a quaint cafe with glorious scones!
We stopped at Yungaburra for a quick walk around and to try and spot platypus (no luck) before heading off on the waterfall tour. This was amazing - we did all 3 waterfalls and they were spectacular. The best one was definitely Millaa Millaa Falls - it was chilly but hubby (and many others) couldn't pass up the chance to dive in.
Definitely a well spent day but would recommend staying a night up there if you can!
We stopped for Devonshire tea at the Lake Barrine Teahouse - a quaint cafe with glorious scones!
We stopped at Yungaburra for a quick walk around and to try and spot platypus (no luck) before heading off on the waterfall tour. This was amazing - we did all 3 waterfalls and they were spectacular. The best one was definitely Millaa Millaa Falls - it was chilly but hubby (and many others) couldn't pass up the chance to dive in.
Definitely a well spent day but would recommend staying a night up there if you can!
Written 2 October 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Catherine C
Cairns, Australia80 contributions
Jul 2023
I enjoyed the view, as we drove though the gillies range and to Atherton. It was a peaceful if a little stressful due to the rain. It was worth the drive, even with the 3-year-old, who loved looking at the cows and horses and the ducks. It was a shame almost everything closed at 3 or 4 pm. So, we couldn't go into anything really. But the beauty made up for that.
Written 13 July 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
CarloHelmond
Helmond, The Netherlands725 contributions
Jul 2024 • Family
We stayed in Millaa Millaa and had an early start to the day. Driving the waterfall circuit makes for a nice drive and includes 3 water falls (Millaa Millaa falls, Zillie falls and Ellinjaa falls). All are within easy walking distance and provide you with some great views. Early in the morning you have to place to yourself and it is very serene. There are many activities in the area, but have a look first if they are open. We called on some place that were closed during the winter season or had limited opening hours. The area is well worth your visit, unless you are just here for the highlights.
Written 23 August 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
We just stayed at On The Wallaby. It was economy friendly, clean, cosy, super friendly and the food is sourced locally and is excellent. Not over the top prices either. Highly recommended!
Written 30 August 2017
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