The Atherton Tablelands is a natural wonderland filled with waterfalls and swimming holes, crater lakes and pristine flowing streams.
Start: Kuranda (northern) or Innisfail/Millaa Millaa (southern)
Duration: 2 – 4 days
Download: Atherton Tablelands Waterfalls and Waterways Trail
An elevated, wheelchair-accessible (with assistance) 1.2 klm return (40 minutes) boardwalk suspended high above the forest floor winds through lush, rainforest canopy to the Barron Falls lookouts and Barron Falls railway platform. Enjoy views over the gorge and spectacular Barron Falls.
Location: Barron Falls Road, Kuranda
The Davies Creek circuit is a 1.1 klm (20 minutes) walk through woodland to lookouts where you can watch the spectacular Davies Creek Falls plunge 75 metres into the value below. Start from the Davies Creek Falls circuit car park.
Location: Kennedy Highway, approximately 13 klms from Mareeba
Emerald Creek rushes out of the rainforest-clad heights of the Lamb Range and down into open eucalypt woodland.
Location: Emerald Creek Falls day-use area in Dinden West Forest Reserve, 15km south east of Mareeba.
Bring a picnic lunch and enjoy the shady paperbark trees at the waters edge.
Visit The Hub in the centre of town to pick up a map of the “swimming hole”.
Lake Tinaroo is a very popular spot for swimmers, skiers, walkers, fishing (permit required), red clawing, ideal for picnics with barbecues available and has five camping areas located around the back of the dam in the Danbulla State Forest. Tinaroo has developed into one of the region’s most popular tourist locations that has so much to offer everyone.
This popular park features a deep crater lake surrounded by cool lush rainforest.
Location: Lake Barrine Road, Yungaburra
A serene blue lake surrounded by lush rainforest, Lake Eacham in part of Crater Lakes National Park.
Take a refreshing dip and then relax in the shade, or wander along the viewing decks for uninterrupted water views.
Meander along a 800 metre return (30 minutes) rainforest track and emerge at the viewing platform overlooking the sheer granite walls of the crater.
Dinner Falls is a mix of three waterfalls that display plunge, segmented and cascade characteristics on the upper Barron River.
Malanda Falls, on the North Johnstone River, tumbles over basalt rock formed by an ancient lava flow that spread from the Mount Hypipamee area 15km away.
Location: On the Malanda–Atherton Road, 1 km from Malanda.
Millaa Millaa Falls are magnificent waterfalls surrounded by lush rainforest located on the Waterfalls Circuit, along with Zillie and Ellinjaa Falls.
The falls cascade perfectly to a pristine waterhole below where you can enjoy a refreshing swim in the cool water.
Zillie Falls are spectacular falls with a lovely viewing platform at the base of the falls where you can enjoy a view of the cascading water and rapids.
Location: Theresa Creek Road, Millaa Millaa
Access to the base of the falls is via a walking track leading from the picnic area and car park on Theresa Creek Road.
Location: Theresa Creek Road, Millaa Millaa
Nandroya Falls Circuit is part of a network of walks in the Palmerston section of Wooroonooran National Park.
Location: Henrietta Creek camping area, Palmerston Highway, Millaa Millaa
Millstream Falls is reputedly Australia’s widest single-drop waterfall. The falls flow over the edge of a columnar basalt lava flow, a legacy of the Atherton Tableland’s volcanic past.
Location: Kennedy Highway, Ravenshoe
The magnificent Mena Creek Falls and home to Paronella Park.
Location: Mena Creek-Jappoon Road, Mena Creek
Tchupala Falls is part of a network of walks in the Palmerston section of Wooroonooran National Park situated on the Palmerston Highway, midway between Innisfail and Millaa Millaa
Location: Palmerston Highway, Innisfail
Atherton Tablelands
Start planning and discover your perfect Atherton Tablelands experience.
Keep it real: you’re not going to see it all in one go. Download the Discover Atherton Tablelands app for an on-the-ground guide to exploring waterfalls, food trails and small towns like a local.
