Things to do in
Atherton Tablelands

Our most recommended things to do in Atherton Tablelands

From Cairns: Atherton Tableland Wilderness Tour with Lunch

From Cairns: Atherton Tableland Wilderness Tour with Lunch

Embark on a full-day trip to Atherton Tableland from Cairns and admire the lush beauty of tropical North Queensland. Visit Wooroonooran National Park, swim in Lake Eacham, and enjoy lunch in Malanda. Your 11-hour excursion begins with a drive to the Wooroonooran National Park. Stop for a swim at Josephine Falls, which features a huge natural rock slide. Travel across the volcanic landscape of the Atherton Tablelands. Marvel at the 18-meter-high Millaa Millaa Falls, framed by lush rainforest and tree ferns. Enjoy lunch at The Top Rail in Malanda before heading to see a giant curtain fig tree. Try your luck at platypus spotting in Yungaburra and enjoy a last swim at Lake Eacham before the trip back to Cairns.

Cairns: Behana Gorge Waterfalls & Rainforest Adventure Tour

Cairns: Behana Gorge Waterfalls & Rainforest Adventure Tour

Prepare for an adventure filled with sliding, jumping, climbing, abseiling, and exploration amidst the natural wonders of Behana Gorge. This experience offers unparalleled flexibility, allowing you to choose activities that best suit your preferences. It provides a thrilling challenge for intermediate and advanced adventurers, while also catering to first-time or less experienced explorers at their own pace. The Behana Waterfalls course grants exclusive access to stunning locations such as Behana Gorge, where a series of cascading waterfalls converge into a breathtaking natural bowl. Immerse yourself in the lush green rainforest and marvel at the ancient granite formations while taking in the awe-inspiring views. Alternatively, Crystal Cascades offers another remarkable setting—one of the most popular waterfalls in the Cairns region. Surrounded by tropical rainforest, Crystal Cascades features a 2km track passing numerous water pools, where you can enjoy a 30-meter zipline into a refreshing pool, abseil through waterfalls, and engage in jumps and slides, all while appreciating nature in a unique and adventurous manner. Your safety is our top priority. Our expert guides will provide thorough information and clear instructions on using the gear, as well as optimal positioning for climbing, jumping, sliding, and abseiling, ensuring you're fully prepared for the adventure ahead from start to finish. Please note that we select the best location for each trip based on daily water levels and weather conditions, ensuring an optimal and safe experience for all participants. Please note that we may use Crystal Cascades on our 6.30am departure, otherwise our 10.00am and 12.00pm departures will be at Behana Waterfalls

From Cairns and Northern Beaches: Rainforest River Tubing

From Cairns and Northern Beaches: Rainforest River Tubing

Get an adrenaline rush on a fantastic river tubing activity in a beautiful rainforest close to Cairns. Escape the usual tourist path and join the locals in the Behana Gorge, where a canopy of trees arch over gently tumbling waters, or experience the small rapids of the Mulgrave River in safety. Navigate the river fully supervised by a minimum of two guides on the water at all times. Suitable for people of all ages and fitness levels, the activity requires no previous experience and includes all safety equipment. Spend a couple of hours floating down a pristine stream in the rainforest and soak up the sights, sounds, and smells of the natural surroundings. Please note $15 per person River Levy payable on the day

Barron Gorge: Half-Day Barron River White-Water Rafting

Barron Gorge: Half-Day Barron River White-Water Rafting

Experience white-water rafting in Barron Gorge National Park, known for its rugged rainforest mountains, steep ravines, and the falls carved out over thousands of years by the Barron River. Enjoy optional pickup from Cairns or Port Douglas before heading to the national park. Meet your guide at Lake Placid, and get ready for your river rafting tour on the river. Enjoy the area’s scenic beauty and a combination of calm water and a series of white-water rapids as well. Spend two hours navigating rapids up to grade three. No experience is necessary, making this a good choice for beginning rafters. There is also plenty of excitement for the more experienced. Please note: $30 per person River Levy payable on the day of travel

Chillagoe Caves and Outback from Cairns Full-Day Tour

Chillagoe Caves and Outback from Cairns Full-Day Tour

Discover the Chillagoe Caves and the Outback on a tour alongside a licensed local guide. Enjoy striking natural landscapes, lunch at a 100-year-old pub, and learn about Aboriginal culture. Your naturalist guide will meet you at your accommodation in an air-conditioned 4WD vehicle. After being picked up, ascend the McAllister Ranges and head west through Mareeba embarking on a remarkable journey back to prehistoric times, when dinosaurs ruled the Earth. The first stop is for morning tea at Skybury Coffee Plantation for tea, coffee and a light morning tea snack while enjoying the serenity and views. There is also time to stroll and purchase something from the gift shop if you wish. Then, travel through historical towns and rolling hills rich in minerals eventually giving way to towering limestone karsts scattered around Chillagoe. Travel out to Chillagoe while listening to the informative commentary by your guide who will share information about the region's wildlife, history, and Aboriginal culture. Explore the Chillagoe-Mungaga Caves National Park with an expert local guide, visit Balancing Rock for an amazing photo opportunity and see and learn about aboriginal rock art. Visit the remains of the once-mighty smelters to ponder what it was like working there before heading to an iconic 100-year-old Aussie pub for lunch. After lunch and a visit to the local souvenir shop, head back towards the East Coast, stopping at Granite Gorge where you get up close to the wild rock wallabies who inhabit the area. The tour then returns down the range to Cairns.

Port Douglas: Breakfast with the Birds

Port Douglas: Breakfast with the Birds

Escape to a wondrous free-flight aviary and have a dining experience like no other. Breakfast among birds and other wildlife at the picturesque new Koala Habitat in Curlew Café, located at the heart of the Wetlands Habitat.  Enjoy comfortable banquet-style seating with up to 10 people on each table and interact with and feed koalas, kangaroos, colorful birds, and more in a relaxed spacious setting. Dine family-style in an exclusive seated area on fresh local produce from the surrounding area and food-rich Atherton Tablelands. Learn more about the diverse wildlife from the passionate gamekeepers and enjoy all the wildlife presentations!

From Cairns: Splash & Slide Waterfall Tour with Picnic Lunch

From Cairns: Splash & Slide Waterfall Tour with Picnic Lunch

Travel South for a taste of the Far North's best waterfalls in this exhilarating half day tour. Start your day with a leisurely 9.30am-10am Cairns pick up, the perfect antidote to those early mornings, before travelling through the stunning panoramas of Queensland's highest peak, verdant cane fields and pristine rainforest on your way to Josephine Falls. Bring out your inner child on the world famous natural rock slide slipping into the crystal clear waters, perfect for the young and the young at heart, or spot some of the Far North's native wildlife in the lush rainforest. Next stop, Babinda Boulders! A picnic lunch will be served alongside the fascinating Aboriginal history of this culturally significant site, the legend of trapped spirits and a tragic love story that will chill you to the bone. Enjoy a quiet afternoon swim, rest or explore the many walks before we return to Cairns, to be back at your hotel around 15.30pm.

Cairns: Paronella, Lake Barrine & Millaa Millaa Falls Tour

Cairns: Paronella, Lake Barrine & Millaa Millaa Falls Tour

The departure is from Cairns, we head south travelling past Walsh’s Pyramid, one of the largest naturally formed pyramids in the world. Here your guide will stop so you can grab a photo of this unique North Queensland landmark. Now it’s time to travel up the World Heritage-listed Gillies Highway climbing 730 metres above sea level whilst enjoying the breathtaking views over the Goldsborough Valley. Just before the top of the amazing Gillies Range is a short photo opportunity at the Heales Lookout before heading into the gorgeous Atherton Tablelands. The first stop is the beautiful World Heritage Listed Lake Barrine Crater Lake National Park. On arrival, your tour guide will take you on a short walk to visit the 1000-year-old Twin Kauri Pines, true giants of the rainforest. Enjoy a Devonshire morning tea with freshly-baked scones before departing for the historical town of Yungaburra, which has the most Nationally Listed Heritage buildings in Queensland. Go on a driving tour around this quaint town, showcasing the many Nationally Heritage buildings. Next stop is The Curtain Fig Tree located in the Curtain Fig Tree National Park. This amazing feat of nature reaching 45+ metres up into the tropical rainforest canopy. Follow your guide on the boardwalk to learn about the amazing formation of this 600-800-year old epiphyte. Spy endemic wildlife species in the rainforest canopy, like the rare Lumholtz Tree Kangaroo. From here, head through the historical dairy town of Malanda, home to Australia’s oldest continuously running commercial picture theatre. Your guide will drive you around this charming town showcasing the beautiful old pub and theatre. Travelling through extensive beef, dairy, sugar cane, and other diverse types of farming areas, arrive at Millaa Millaa Falls, one of Australia’s most photographed waterfalls. Have an option of swimming under the cool waters or you sit back, relax, enjoy the tranquility of nature. Now it’s time to descend from the mountains down the Palmerstone Highway through sugar cane & banana fields to the coastal town of Innisfail, after leaving Innisfail you will enjoy a delicious lunch. Paronella Park is the next destination with a 45-minute guided tour in English, Chinese or Japanese. Be guided through the extensive National Trust Gardens while learning the rich history of Hose Paronella’s wonderful achievements and the colorful history of how he built his Spanish Castle in the rainforest; you will have amazing photo opportunities of the breathtaking Mena Creek and Theresa falls. Spend approx 2.5 hours here allowing plenty of free time to enjoy the rest of the park at a leisurely pace. Then, return to Cairns.

From Cairns: Rainforest & Nocturnal Wildlife Tour

From Cairns: Rainforest & Nocturnal Wildlife Tour

Departing from your Cairns or Northern Beaches accommodation, head south to view the agile wallabies that live within the city limits. Make a second stop at the Cathedral Fig Tree, an 8,000-year-old Strangler fig with a giant root system. Enjoy an afternoon tea at the world-renowned Lake Barrine before walking through the rainforest. Keep your eyes out for musky rat-kangaroo, Boyd's forest dragon, rainforest birds, butterflies and flying foxes. After a quick stop at Lake Eacham, visit a platypus viewing area in Yungaburra for a 90% chance of seeing the unique mammal. Enjoy a delicious dinner at a restaurant in the township of Yungburra. Then, your nighttime spotlighting adventure begins! Walk under the night stars and into the rainforest. Look out for Lumholtz's tree-kangaroo, northern leaf-tailed gecko, ringtail possums, gliders, frogs, owls and more. Return to Cairns at around 10:00 PM and Northern Beaches at around 10:30 PM.

Atherton Tablelands: Lakes, Waterfalls, Rainforest Day Tour

Atherton Tablelands: Lakes, Waterfalls, Rainforest Day Tour

This tour is one of Cairns most popular tours.. Over the past 20 years the combination of music, food, fun and breathtaking natural history has made them who they are. Your driver and “Gus the Bus” are as excited to be on the tour as you will be, they do it because they love showing off their backyard. On your journey you'll be swimming in pristine waterfalls and crater lakes, going on rainforest walks and enjoying seriously good food! Get ready to meet new friends and to enjoy a day you will never forget!

All activities

29 activities found
Sort by:

Frequently asked questions about Atherton Tablelands

What top attractions are a must-see in Atherton Tablelands?

The must-see attractions in Atherton Tablelands are:

See all must-see sights in Atherton Tablelands

What are the best deals and discounts on activities and attractions in Atherton Tablelands?

These are the best deals and discounts on activities and attractions in Atherton Tablelands:

See all deals and discounts in Atherton Tablelands on GetYourGuide

Top Attractions in Atherton Tablelands

Experiences in Atherton Tablelands

Tours in Australia

Things to do in Australia

Other Sightseeing Options in Atherton Tablelands

Want to discover all there is to do in Atherton Tablelands? Click here for a full list.

What people are saying about Atherton Tablelands

Overall rating

4.8
(739 reviews)

This trip was lovely, the tour guide Mario is an exceptional person, highly recommend, we stopped The Boulders Park, Paronella (the best part, great tour guy Dries),lunch at cool Mena Creek Hotel, Milla Milla Falls, Courtain Fig Tree and quick stop at Lake Barrine at the end. I won't lie I read so much about Lake Barrine, I thought this tour included the morning tea/ family cruise at Lake Barrine (which runs from Wednesdays to Sundays), which I was a bit disappointed that none happened. Also, when we stopped for morning tea, most of the 9 of us were mentioning how disappointing was that place in particular was for a tour day. I would not take a touristic tour there. Maybe would be nice to cut the Milla Milla falls part and Firgtree (none of us swam there), and/OR maybe offer another option for tours with Lake Barrine cruise + Devonshire Tea or maybe Breakfast at Lake Barrine? Once again, it was a really lovely day and the staff and tour were very pleasant. Thank you for the experience.

I had a really lovely day!! Kayla was a great guide. Very informative tour, she was super friendly and smiley. I have been on a lot of tours but she really stands out in being so genuine and enjoying so much of sharing her knowledge and experience and liking after the well being of her guests at the same time. The landscape was amazing beautiful and the waterfalls stunning. Lake Eecham was not so special to me and the vegetarian pizza was not my cup of tea but I should have chosen the non vegetarian one instead probably. The bus did show up half an hour late in the morning which was a bit of a concern but it was not a problem. Can really recommend this tour!!

Being able to appreciate the beauty of the falls with this experience is just amazing. The fall was really beautiful and the activity super funny. Marcio was very nice and professional and as we were lucky to be the only ones doing the activity, we could decide where to do it. He led us really well through the experience and listened to our needs. The material provided was a damaged on the areas of the body that hit the rocks, but you are still well protected and none of us got any bruises. I think you really need to be a confident swimmer for this activity though.

Like any tour, big or small, it can be made or not by the people on the tour but more importantly by the guide. In this regard the driver/guide was absolutely great. He was a font of knowledge and made the whole trip interesting even though there was a lot of driving. We stopped at a number of places as per the brochure itinerary, all of which were good in their own way, depending on individual tastes. I couldn’t say any of them should be missed and Chris (our driver/guide) made sure we all enjoyed what was on offer. Thank you Chris.

amazing trip and amazing guide loved every bit of this trip...