(67km west of Cairns)

Trip duration: One day or longer.

On the road
Depart Cairns via Kennedy, Gillies or Palmerston Highways.

ATHERTON TABLELANDS
The Atherton Tablelands is a beautiful green stretch of county known as the cool tropics. Rolling hills, rainforest, pasture lands and the phenomena of long-extinct volcanic crater lakes make up this region behind the Cairns ranges. This wilderness of cascading falls, fast flowing rivers and dense pockets of rainforest is easily reached on good touring roads.

Atherton is a pleasant country town, with abundant rolling hills, fresh green pastures and crisp fresh tableland air. Atherton produces a combination of natural vegetation and agricultural crops, rarely found in the tropics.

Fascinating Facets & The Crystal Caves is an underground fantasy cave, where natural giant crystal formations and real fossils are displayed.

Halloran’s Hill Lookout, has views of the town and surrounding countryside.

At Yungaburra, the central streets have been classified by the National Trust. The markets are on every last Sunday of the month.

Lake Barrine is a volcanic crater lake with wildlife cruises, century-old twin Kauri trees and a 6km path around the edge of the lake. Another volcanic crater lake is Lake Eacham, which has picnic facilities and a 4km path around the lake’s edge-great for swimming.

Malanda is home of Malanda Milk Co-operative, which has the longest milk run in the world. A local retreat is Malanda Falls.

Millaa Millaa is the waterfall capital of the Tablelands. The Waterfall Circuit, along a 30km drive, takes you to Millaa Millaa Falls, Zillie Falls and Elinjaa Falls, set in lush rainforest. Bellenden Ker Ranges

(138km south of Cairns)

Trip duration: One day or longer

On the road
Depart Cairns via the Bruce Highway, and travel along picturesque coastline to Mission Beach.

The Mission Beach area has tropical rainforest growing on the edge of most beaches, where a long chain of islands can be glimpsed on the horizon. There are about 20 islands to visit surrounding Mission Beach. The holiday resort of Dunk Island lies 4km offshore.

Innisfail, known as the ‘Green Heart’ of the north, is situated on the Johnstone River. Essentially a sugar town, producing one-fifth of Queensland sugar. Warrina Botanic Gardens, take a leisurely stroll in the gardens, there are picnic facilities and information centre. Flying Fish point, a 7km drive north-east of Innisfail is a popular swimming and fishing location. Paronella Park, located on the old Bruce Highway, south of Innisfail at Mena Creek, is the ruins of a Spanish castle, set in tropical gardens.

Further south is Hinchinbrook Island, off the coast from Cardwell. This is the world’s largest island national park and features mountain ranges and tropical vegetation.

Hinchinbrook Island is Australia's largest National Park island. It is uninhabited except for the award-winning, environmentally friendly Hinchinbrook Island Resort at Cape Richards.

The Island abounds in flora, fauna, palm-fringed beaches, mangrove waterways and rugged granite crags.

Hinchinbrook is the perfect place to restore body, mind and spirit. This is the Island to choose if you want peace, beauty and tranquillity.

Hinchinbrook is a bushwalker's paradise. Teeming with wildlife, a jagged chain of mountains forms the backbone of the Island. You'll see rainforests of Milky Pine, Palm Figs, and vines, with more than 66 species of birds, 22 species of butterflies, 29 different mangroves and many varieties of fish and crustaceans.

At Tully River, North of South Johnstone River, experience the thrill of rafting down the wild rapids.

For further information, contact:

Far North Queensland Promotion Bureau Ltd
Cnr Grafton and Hartley Streets
CAIRNS QLD 4870
Phone: (07) 513 588
Fax: (07) 510 127

Acknowledgement

Images courtesy of Tourism Queensland

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