With clear, dark skies unpolluted by city lights, this region in Tropical North Queensland offers some of the most breathtaking stargazing experiences. So, grab your binoculars, telescopes and cosy blankets as we explore some of the best spots for stargazing on the Northern and Southern Atherton Tablelands. 1. Lake Tinaroo Nestled in the heart of the Atherton Tablelands, Lake Tinaroo …
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Formed by volcanic action thousands of years ago they are forest-fringed, cool-watered oasis’ for the enthusiastic adventurer and Sunday-drive traveller alike in Crater Lakes National Park. Both lakes are maars – volcanic craters formed by a massive explosion from the superheating of groundwater. The lakes are clear and often bright blue/green in colour because they are only filled by rainwater; …
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RUGGED BEAUTY The Mount Haig Circuit aka the Tinaroo Range Roads takes to some magnificent bush country and several sweet swimming spots. Find Emerald Creek Falls Rd via Tinaroo Creek Rd and Cobra Rd. Stop at the falls if its swim time; soon afterwards you will start to ascend the Tinaroo Ranges. After 12km take Mount Edith Rd, which undulates …
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Two quick walks that entice a long slow WOW out of visitors are strolls to the Curtain and Cathedral fig trees. They are both massive and they are both near Yungaburra. Curtain Fig Tree – image by @therawphoto The Curtain Fig is on the handily named Curtain Fig Road off Gillies Highway on the way to Atherton. It’s a 10 …
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Palmerston Highway Drive Image by @oldmanmoore The drive from Innisfail on the coast to Millaa Millaa at the southern end of the Atherton Tablelands is an enchanted climb through tropical rainforest and the magnificent Wooroonooran National Park. You won’t be interrupted by towns for 55 glorious km but 27km along the route you can get out and try the Mamu …
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Channel your inner geologist to form your own theory on how the Mobo Creek Crater was made. It’s perplexed scientists for eons. There’s a (moderate) 630m circuit track of the crater through upland rainforest to do your thinking on. And quiet visitors may be rewarded with a platypus sighting. Mobo Creek Crater – image @myheroshots Get wet and active on the …
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Historic buildings Photo: @courty_webb Yungaburra’s village centre has been largely untouched since 1910 so it’s no surprise it has the highest proportion of listed buildings in Queensland outside regional centres. The old wooden buildings and beautiful cottage gardens make it not only historical but pretty. There’s plenty to see with 18 buildings listed on the Queensland Heritage Register. Wander around …
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Coffee World Photo: @stephanieparsley The Atherton Tablelands are Australia’s famous coffee growing grounds. Coffee World has coffee tasting and sales complemented by an engaging museum giving you background on the crop and its place on the planet. There are displays here depicting the start of the coffee trade in Ethiopia in AD800 and examples of the first plunger, filter and …
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Millaa Millaa Lookout Photo: @andrewwatsonphoto The peaceful and simply stunning Milla Milla Lookout will take your eyes from the Atherton Tablelands to the coast on a really clear day. At 1070m its one of the best places to take in the beauty of the Tablelands with a 180 degree sweep from northwest to southeast. On McHugh Road, just a short …
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With a cooler climate than Cairns, the area still provided excellent jungle warfare training for those heading off to places like (Papua) New Guinea and Bougainville. Servicemen were also treated for malaria at camp hospitals. The Atherton Tablelands was the largest Australian military base with camps at Tinaroo, Kairi, Wongabel, Herberton, Wondecia, Ravenshoe, and Mt Garnet as well as Atherton/Tolga …
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Still looking for Christmas gifts? Have a stroll through the Yungaburra Christmas Market and you might be able to tick off that box! The Yungaburra Market is the biggest and oldest market on the Atherton Tablelands. Local producers gather on the commons in the middle of the historic village of Yungaburra to sell fresh produce, flowers, home made crafts, local …
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