Tablelands National Parks
Spend at least half a day exploring the Danbulla area, a spectacular part of the Atherton Tableland. Covering 12,000 hectares between the Tinaroo and Lamb Ranges and bordering Lake Tinaroo, the park includes eucalypt and acacia forests, pine plantations, and rainforest. It also encompasses walks, crater lakes, and places of local history and interest.
Watch for birds, platypus and kangaroos as they are abundant in the area. Enjoy a short walk through upland rainforest to the Mobo Creek crater, or take time to marvel at the enormity of the cathedral fig tree. Other points of interest include the Chimneys, Platypus Rocks Lookout, and Tinaroo Dam Wall. Each site is quite unique, so remember to pack an extra memory card or film!
Lake Tinaroo
A natural playground for Cairns locals who visit regularly to enjoy the mild climate, Lake Tinaroo is a must see.
Created by damming the Barron River, Lake Tinaroo was completed in 1958. It was the first large dam built primarily for irrigation in Queensland and reaches more than 200 kilometres of shoreline when filled to capacity. Its construction opened up new areas to farming and allowed different crops to be trialled. It is now a multi-purpose storage dam supplying water for tableland towns, power generation, crop irrigation, stock watering and, best of all, recreation.
Lake Tinaroo is a safe and protected place for sailing, windsurfing, water skiing, swimming, fishing, red clawing, bird watching, hiking, and picnicking.
The lake is acknowledged as one of the best barramundi fishing spots in the world. Have a look in the local store at the photos of proud fishers wrestling with their fish - some that are bigger than their boats!
| Vehicle permits: Permits are required for driving on the Tinaroo Range road network. Contact the QPWS Atherton or Cairns offices for further information: QPWS Atherton 83 Main St, Atherton QLD 4883 Ph: +61 (0)7 4091 1844 QPWS Cairns 5B Sheridan St, Cairns QLD 4870 Ph: +61 (0)7 4046 6600 | |
| Where: | Danbulla National Park and State Forest can be accessed at several different entrances, including: - The eastern entrance: on Boar Pocket Road, just near the top of the Gillies Highway from Cairns - The western entrance: via the township of Kairi via the Gillies Highway, and via the Kennedy Highway and Mareeba - The southern entrance: via the Palmerston Highway from Innisfail - The northern entrance: via the Mossman-Mt Molloy Road from Port Douglas The Danbulla forest drive is a 28km gravel road, suitable for conventional vehicles, that runs through the park and forest. Be aware of other vehicles, pedestrians and wildlife. |
Swim in a volcanic maar, formed millions of years ago by massive explosions. Lake Eacham and Lake Barrine are two water-filled volcanic craters, popular for barbecues, picnics and family get-togethers. Enjoy a short stroll or more challenging hike through the lush rainforest around the blue water lakes.
The National Park is home of a multitude of wildlife species. Listen for the distinctive whip-crack call of the eastern whipbird and the harsh, mewing call of the spotted catbird. If you are lucky enough you'll see small musky rat-kangaroos, one of the few marsupials active during the daytime.
Lake cruises operate from the privately owned Lake Barrine teahouse, which also offers meals with relaxed views over the water.
| Please note that fishing is not permitted in Lake Barrine. | |
| Where: | Near Yungaburra, via Gillies Highway |
Dinden and Davies Creek National Parks share a common ground on the Lamb Range. The eastern side of the range is wetter and covered by rainforest - this is where you'll find Lake Morris, the main water reservoir for Cairns. The western slopes are drier and shelter eucalypt woodland. Between these two contrasting vegetation types runs a strip of a rare forest type known as wet sclerophyll.
One of the main highlights of the area is Davies Creek Falls. This magnificent waterfall cascades smoothly over huge granite boulders, creating a refreshing place to relax. While you're here, look for beautiful birds such as the eastern yellow robin, the white-cheeked honeyeater and white-naped honeyeater.
Emerald Creek Falls, in Dinden Sate Forest, also offer a nice spot to chill out. Watch the waters tumbling down a granite rock face and forming placid pools below. Near the creek, look for dragonflies and damselflies. These captivating insects are a common sight around sunlit sections of the creek. You may even see the giant petalurid dragonfly, the largest dragonfly in Australia.
Spend a day climbing to Kahlpahlim Rock, the Lamb Range's highest point, and overlook Cairns and the Atherton Tableland.
You can learn about the rainforest on the Clohesy Fig Tree Boardwalk and drive through picturesque rainforest on the Cairns-Copperlode Dam Road. Watch for northern bettongs and endangered musky rat-kangaroos, common to both Dinden and Davies Creek National Parks.
Within Dinden National Park, travel to Bare Hill Conversation Park. Traditionally used for ceremonies, painting, and tool making by the Djabugay Aboriginal people, this area showcases exciting examples of artwork in red and yellow ochre.
| Vehicle Permits: Permits are required for driving on Bridle Creek Road and a Wet Tropics Management Authority (WTMA) permit is required for driving on Clohesy River Road after the Clohesy fig tree boardwalk. Permits to traverse these roads can be obtained from QPWS Cairns or Atherton. No fees apply. QPWS Atherton 83 Main St, Atherton QLD 4883 Ph: +61 (0)7 4091 1844 QPWS Cairns 5B Sheridan St, Cairns QLD 4870 Ph: +61 (0)7 4046 6600 The Clohesy fig tree walk in Dinden National Park is wheelchair accessible | |
| Where: | Via the Kennedy Hwy and then David Creek Road or Clohesy River Road. Some roads are unsealed and four-wheel-drive vehicles are recommended. Please note that Bunda Bibandji (Bare Hill) can only be accessed by four-wheel-drive vehicle via Bridle Creek Road. |
Take the easy 1.1km circuit loop track combining Dinner Falls and the crater at Mount Hypipamee National Park. Stop at the Crater Lookout platform to admire beautiful views. Formed by an explosive eruption of volcanic gases which blasted through solid granite, Mt Hypipamee Crater features sheer granite walls rising 58 metres above the 82 metre deep lake.
Massive angular blocks of granite as large as refrigerators can be found in the surrounding rainforest, giving testimony to the power of the explosion that hurled them there. An easy 400 metre bitumen walking track leads through the rainforest to a viewing platform above the crater. From there, take the rougher track down the hill to the Barron River where you can swim, or continue further upstream to another vista of Dinner Falls. It's just a short climb back up to the Crater walk.
While you're walking, look for golden bowerbirds, spotted catbirds and riflebirds. You can also go spotlighting to see green ringtail, lemuroid, Herbert River ringtail and striped possums at night.
| Wheelchair accessible | |
| Where: | From Ravenshoe follow the Kennedy Highway to Atherton, turn left at the signs to Mt Hypipamee National Park and The Crater and Dinner Falls. |
Millaa Millaa is Aboriginal for 'plenty water', so it comes as little surprise that the town is the centre of the famous Waterfall Circuit. Immerse yourself in an environment full of green grass, rainforest and tropical plants, and appreciate the enchanted world of the waterfalls.
On your way, stop by the Millaa Millaa (or Gentle Annie) Lookout, just west of Millaa Millaa on McHugh Road. You will enjoy striking views over the Atherton Tablelands and even to the distant coastal areas of Innisfail. It's a great spot to use your camera! Bear in mind that there is no other lookout that offers views of this region like this one.
The Waterfall Circuit includes many falls. Here are some highlights of the circuit:
Millaa Millaa Falls
Millaa Millaa Falls cascade perfectly to a pristine waterhole where you can enjoy a refreshing swim in the cool water. These are among the most photographed waterfalls in Australia, and you will have the opportunity to increase the statistics with your own shots. Relax and picnic on the lovely grassy area and keep your eyes open for platypus. You never know - you might catch a glimpse of those strange little animals.
Ellinjaa Falls
Enjoy the sound of the water rushing over a series of lava columns at these picturesque falls. Stroll a 200 metre walkway to the base of the falls where you can swim and try to spot turtles and platypus. There's also a little ledge hidden behind the falls, where you can enjoy the unique atmosphere and scenery.
Zillie Falls
At Zillie Falls, stand on the viewing platform where you can feel the power of the cascading water. Simply relax in these beautiful surroundings and don't forget to watch for flying foxes near the carpark.
| Where: | Part of the Waterfall Circuit. Take the Theresa Creek Road, approximately 1km east of Millaa Millaa on the Palmerston Highway. Millaa Milaa Falls are the first falls you will reach. Follow the signs to Ellinjaa Falls and Zillie Falls. The circuit begins on the outskirts of the Millaa Millaa township and finishes 2km (1.2 miles) away. |
Picturesque waterfalls, lush rainforest, crystal clear creeks and panoramic views feature in this 130km network of walking trails of varying lengths and difficulty. The Jirrbal and Ma:mu Aboriginal people are the traditional owners of the Misty Mountains, and several of the walking tracks follow the ridgelines traditionally used by these peoples to connect 'yabulmbara', the coastal plain, to 'gambilbara', the rocky country of the tablelands.
Highlights of the Misty Mountains include stunning views of Elizabeth Grant Falls and Cannabullen Falls. Enjoy a trek to the Walter's Waterhole, where a series of waterfalls drops into the wide, calm pools of Koolmoon Creek. The Millaa Millaa area features isolated pockets of bunya pines - relics of the 'dinosaur' conifers - and unique king ferns, epiphytes and giant strangler fig trees.
| Where: | Via Tully, Innisfail, Mena Creek, Millaa Millaa or Ravenshoe. Parts of some roads are unsealed but access is possible by conventional vehicles. |
Millstream Falls National Park is on the western edge of the World Heritage area. The rain shade formed by the eastern dividing ranges limits the rainfall, resulting in dry open woodland. The park was the site of an army camp during World War II and many former soldiers make nostalgic visits here to remember those times.
Local attractions include the Millstream Falls - a spectacular sight, especially during the wet season, when it becomes the widest single-drop waterfall in Australia. Watch the falls flowing over the edge of a columnar basalt lava flow, a legacy of the Atherton Tableland's volcanic past. Picnic in the shady day-use area among the blue gums and ironbarks, and explore the narrow path at the base of Little Millstream Falls.
| Where: | From Ravenshoe, travel 3km to the west on Kennedy Highway. Turn left at the Millstream Falls sign. |
Frequent rainfall provides Tully Gorge National Park with sumptuous tropical vegetation and white-water experiences on the Tully River. Follow the scenic Tully Falls Road to the spectacular Tully Gorge Lookout. The falls only run in a big wet season, but the dramatic walls of raw rock and rainforest plunging 300m (984 feet) down to the Tully River are still well worth a visit.
Take the 800m track to the Tully River above the falls, but do not venture onto the rocks at the top of the falls as they are slippery and dangerous.
For the Indiana Jones wannabes, jump on an organised white-water rafting tour. The thrilling journey will give you a unique perspective of the beauty of the National Park.
From September to February, take the Rainforest Butterfly Walk to see clouds of colourful butterflies.
| The Rainforest Butterfly Walk is wheelchair accessible | |
| Where: | From Ravenshoe, take Tully Falls Road 24km along the sealed road, then 1km along the well kept gravel drive to the car park. |
- Always keep to the track.
- Follow directions and signs carefully.
- Leave your pets at home. Domestic animals are not permitted in National Parks.
- Do not interfere with native animals and plants.
- Open fires are prohibited. Gas barbecue facilities are provided.
- Take all food scraps and rubbish with you.
- Firearms are prohibited.
- Remember, this is a National Park — everything is protected.
The following information especially applies for long walks, but is also good advice for short walks:
- Always tell a reliable person exactly where you are going and when you expect to return, and check in with this person when you return.
- Wear a watch.
- It is recommended that you go with an experienced walker and carry maps and a compass.
- If you are planning an extended walking expedition, consider purchasing or hiring an Emergency Position Indicating Radio Beacon (EPIRB).
