The Atherton Tablelands is the perfect place to escape Cairns city life. Amongst the ancient landscape, there are plenty of incredible natural wonders to admire, including Lake Tinaroo.
The picturesque body of water is a hotspot for swimmers, skiers, and walkers, and there are plenty of places to have a picnic and a barbecue around the edge on the banks.
Today, Tinaroo is one of the most popular tourist destinations in the area, with plenty to offer all kinds of visitors. As well as watersports and walking the trails that crisscross around the edge of the lake, you can try your hand at fishing, red clawing, and bird watching. There are tons of species to encounter in and around the lake, so keep your eyes peeled when you’re in the area.
For the less active traveller, there’s the opportunity to take a stroll out along the jetty and kick back and relax at one of the numerous picnic spots in the area.
The lake itself is almost the size of Sydney Harbour and was originally built back in the late 1950s to irrigate kilometres of agricultural land between the areas of Mareeba and Dimbulah.
It is now a firm favourite amongst keen anglers thanks to its collection of incredibly big barramundi. Every year in October, fishermen descend on the lake to take part in The Tinaroo Barra Bash, a barramundi fishing competition that can net you a $10,000 prize if you catch the largest fish.
The Town Under Tinaroo
There are rumours circulating in the region that there is town underneath Tinaroo. The Lake was filled too soon after completion, which meant that the nearby town of Kulara had to be abandoned once the waters started to rise.
These days, the lake is predominantly enjoyed by locals and tourists who head to the pretty surroundings to try boating and watersports. As well as numerous companies that offer these services, there is also a campground and toilet facilities close by. Just around the corner, you’ll find and shop for supplies so you have everything you need to enjoy a day in this part of Australia.
If you’re looking to escape the hustle and bustle of city life in Cairns, a trip to Lake Tinaroo might just be what the doctor ordered. The relaxing scenery combined with the eclectic selection of activities and sights makes it a great place to kick back, relax, and take a breather.