Ravenshoe
At 920m above seal level, Ravenshoe is known as Queenslands highest town. Previously relying on a rainforest timber industry, Ravenshoe now has a new lease of life with a number of art galleries and craft shops. Enjoy a drink at Queenslands highest pub.
Things to do
Ravenshoe Visitors centre and Nganyaji Interpretive Centre
Visit the Ravenshoe Koombooloomba Visitor Centre on the northern edge of the town. Features historical and environmental displays of the area.
Adjoining the Visitors Centre is this interesting centre showcasing the traditional lifestyle of the local Jirrbal tribe. It is called Nganyaji, which means "all of us together". There are displays including their rainforest base-camp villages, hunting and gathering practices, community life and history. Entry is free.
Waterfalls
Little Millstream Falls - delightful series of falls cascading into a small lagoon. Approx half hour walk each way. From Ravenshoe, go to Tully Falls Road, turn onto Wooroora Road 1.25 kilometers on the right.
Millstream Falls - just to the west of Ravenshoe are the Millstream Falls, renowned as the widest single drop falls in Australia. Leave Ravenshoe on Kennedy Highway and travel three kilometers to the west, turn left at the Millstream Falls sign, park in car park walk 400 metres. Have a swim here.
Pepina Falls- Follow signs from Old Palmerston Highway between Ravenshoe and Millaa Millaa
Souita Falls - From Old Palmerston Highway Ravenshoe to Millaa Millaa turn onto Middlebrook Road
Windfarm
5 km east of Ravenshoe, on the aptly named "Windy Hill", is one of Australias largest windfarms. Huge wind turbines stand against a backdrop of rolling green hills, providing a clean energy solution to 3500 homes in the region. Windy Hill has a free public viewing area and carpark, open at all times.
Tully River Gorge
South of Ravenshoe, take Tully Falls Road 24 kilometers sealed road and one kilometer well kept gravel drive to the car park. At this point you can take a short walk to overlook the impressive 293 metre Tully Falls at Tully Gorge.
Koombooloomba Dam
Follow on the Tully Falls Road to the Dam. It is a hydro-electric water storage facilities which doubles as a recreational area for fishing and watersports. There is year round barramundi fishing on the dam.
History
In 1881 William Mazlin discovered substantial stands of cedar in the area. The first sawmill was built in 1899 but the town was not settled to any significant extent until 1910, when the railway line had reached Millaa Millaa and bullock teams could haul the timber to the railhead. Ravenshoe sawmills produced high quality rainforest timbers for markets in Australia and overseas, and relied on timber for its survival.
in 1987 the Government nominated 900 000 hectares of rainforest around Ravenshoe for World Heritage Listing. 160 000 hectares of this land had previously been set aside for timber production. The locals in Ravenshoe argued that if they were not allowed to log the rainforest, the town would die. The Environment Minister Graham Richardson was jostled by angry crowds of timber workers during a visit to the area and the town became the centre of media attention.
Getting here
Ravenshoe is a comfortable 2 to 2.5 hrs drive from Cairns. It is 40 minutes drive south of Atherton, but can also be accessed from Millaa Millaa via the East Evelyn Road or the Old Palmerson Highway.
Services
For a full listing, please download this guide.
Fuel or Service Stations: Ampol Service Station, open 6am to 6pm 7 days a week.
Groceries : IGA, 7am to 7pm Mon to Fri, 7.30 to 6pm Sat 7 Sun.
Ravenshoe Foodworks, 7am to 7pm Mon to Fri, 7.30 to 6pm Sat 7 Sun.
Food: cafes, bakery, pub, roadhouse, restaurant
Pubs: Club Hotel, Tully Falls Hotel
Police Station: Yes, Grigg St
Medical: Yes Ambulance; Yes
Information Centre: Yes, Moore St ph. 4097 7700 open
RACQ Road Assistance: refer Atherton
Public Toilets: Yes
Public Phone Boxes:
Post Office: Yes, Grigg Street
Banking: National Aust Bank Grigg St, Commonwealth Bank Agency at Post Office
ATMs : at IGA and Foodworks supermarkets
Accommodation Styles: B&Bs - yes, Motel - yes, caravan parks - yes
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