Dam Good Drive - (Back & Beyond Tinaroo Dam)

Dam Good Drive - Back & Beyond Tinaroo Dam
(Two Hours to a full Day)

Note: Please note that the road on the other side of the dam wall is 28 km of unsealed surfaces so if you have a hire car, please make sure you are allowed to drive on unsealed roads.

This drive takes you from Tolga around Lake Tinaroo Dam, to Lake Barrine, Lake Eacham, Yungaburra and back to Atherton. You will drive through state forests, softwood plantations and World Heritage Rainforests. Take a refreshing swim at Tinaroo or Lake Eacham. Lovely picnic spots throughout the drive.

This drive will take from two hours to a full day, depending on how many stops you make.

1. Tolga - This tour will take you through the town of Tolga, starting at the Tolga Woodworks Craft Gallery and Café to view their many items carved from timber, wrought iron, pewter and more. Drive through Main Street, which becomes Kairi Road.

2. Kairi - This leads you to the town of Kairi. If you are into arts and crafts or are just looking for that something special for someone special, call into the Kairi Pottery Barn. They have a range of gifts, ceramics, tea towels etc.

3. Tinaroo Township - Continue along the road and eventually youll come into the town of Tinaroo. On the right hand side, not far past the Caravan Park, you will see a picnic area and pontoon. The Atherton Shire Council has recently completed a walking track, pontoon for swimming, picnic tables & BBQs for the enjoyment of all. The walking track is approx 40 minutes return, and is fairly relaxed so youll be able to enjoy the cool breeze as well as the view. Once youve completed the walk, you might like to have lunch at Pensinis Restaurant at the Lookout or the Cathedral Lodge on Palm Street.

4. Dam Wall - Competed in 1958, Tinaroo Dam was built primarily for irrigation. It is now multi-purpose, also providing a water supply for the Tableland towns, and is a major recreation venue. There are BBQs and toilets located below the dam wall.

5. Platypus Rock Lookout - The lookout is a series of Granite Boulders with great views over the lake. Follow the steps up from the carpark. Drive a little further to the Platypus Camping and Day-Use-Area on the shore front. BBQs, toilets & picnic tables are provided.

6. Downfall Creek Camping area on the foreshore - BBQ and Toilet facilities provided are provided here. There is a "Regeneration Walk" from here to Kauri Creek Camping area, 2.6km, 2 hour return walk.

7. Kauri Creek Camping and Day Use Area - 300m from the camping area is the day use area. Picnic, BBQ and Toilet facilities provided. The sandy bottom rainforest creek provides a shallow swimming spot for the kids. Walking track - 5km; 2 hour return - steep and narrow track following the creek through upland rainforest, crossing the creek twice so you need to wade through.

8. School Point Camping & Day Use Area - Camping area is to be prebooked only. Picnic, BBQ and Toilet facilities provided for day visitors.

9. Fong on Bay Camping Area - a popular waterskiing and swimming spot. BBQs an toilet facilities provided.

10. School House - Originally located at School Point, the Euramoo School House was moved to this site in the 1960s

11. Lake Euramoo - An observation deck overlooks this small crater lake. Circuit walking track of 600m or 30 minute return takes you through the forest around the lake, but does not allow access to the lake.

12. The Chimneys - Danbulla was a soldier settlement after WW1. The two chimney stacks are all that remains of a 1924 house. A picnic area with BBQs,shelter and tables, Toilets, and large grassed area are provided.

13. Mobo Creek Crater - a 600m, 30 minute return walk through the forest around the crater.

14. Cathedral Fig tree - a rainforest walk of 150m (10 minutes) to the Cathedral Fig Tree, a magnificent example of a strangler Fig.

15. Lake Barrine - If you havent visited Lake Barrine, call in and do the cruise at Lake Barrine. Have afternoon tea at the delightful Teahouse overlooking the lake.

16. Lake Eacham - then onto Lake Eacham for a swim or the rainforest walk.

17. Yungaburra - if you have time, call into Yungaburra where you can enjoy a stroll around the town looking through the variety of shops. There is also a walk that takes you to the Platypus Viewing Platform where if youre lucky, youll spot one of the elusive platypus.

18.  Atherton - If you have had no luck at spotting the platypus, head down to Platypus Park on Herberton Road in Atherton, as there is a family of 5 platypus in the original swimming pool/creek that can be seen at most times during the day. On your way, stop off at Shaylee Strawberries at the Marks Lane turn off , to pick your own strawberries when in season, or to purchase a gelati style ice cream or home made jams. They also have picnic tables and chairs under large shady trees so you can sit and relax.