Things to do in Atherton Tablelands

Atherton Tablelands are a rolling set of hills, rainforests and gorgeous mountains which populate this Far North Queensland region.

With a whole abundance of rainforests, and waterfalls that cascade downwards gracefully…the rolling plains in the Tablelands have nutrient-dense soils and rich fertile ground that produce lush green scenery and interesting wildlife. The whole area is home to the likes of tree kangaroos, wallabies, platypuses.

There’s plenty of things to do around the Atherton Tablelands

Easy to visit from Cairns, the Atherton Tablelands is just about an hour away from Cairns, and about 20 minutes from the town of Mareeba.

The rolling hills around the Far North Queensland region are a green diamond among the dry western bushland. Populated with an abundance of aromatic eucalypts, and an array of flora and fauna, this region has many different natural spectacles to experience.

There’s plenty to do in this agricultural region of Queensland. Dry season is usually the best time of the year to go. When it rains, it really rains!

Here’s our favourite things to do in the Atherton Tablelands:

• Visit the historic village of Herberton
• Visit Lake Tinaroo
• Swim in a waterfall
• See the bats at the Tolga Bat Hospital
• Go to a wine tasting
• Go for a dip at Lake Eacham

Visit the historic village of Herberton

Herberton is a charming little historic village in the centre of the Atherton Tablelands. It is nestled on a hill and is home to some beautiful old buildings that are listed by the National Heritage Register.

The whole village is full of cute memorabilia, antiques and various other interesting little artefacts. It’s charming and quirky, and even just a stop off to walk around the village is the perfect break up to any Far North Queensland road trip!

If you’ve got a bit longer in the area, check out the mining museum for a dose of village history.

Visit Lake Tinaroo

Whether you’re there to fish the biggest barramundi in Australia, or you want to venture on an exciting hike, Lake Tinaroo offers serene lake views with a lovely surrounding of the Tablelands.

Popular for its enormous barramundi, Lake Tinaroo attracts fishing enthusiasts from all over Australia. The Lake is a manmade dam which holds the water inside.

Not into fishing? The area is also a hotspot for hikes, biking, canoeing or paddleboarding – so slap on the sunscreen and explore the lake!

Visit a waterfall

There are some pretty waterfalls in the Atherton area that are perfect to cool off on a humid day. Many are hidden gems in the Atherton Tablelands!

Want to explore a hidden gem in Atherton? Check out Millstream waterfall if you’re looking for an adventure to a secluded waterfall with a great backdrop of the flat Atherton Tablelands! Millstream Falls is nestled among dry bushland, near Raveshoe. It is also the widest single stream waterfall to exist in Australia.

Millaa Millaa Falls are a gorgeous spot too! Take a swim in the pristine waters below a cascade of fresh water that cascades downwards into the pool. Take a hike around the area, and refresh with a nice dip in the pool.

The Tolga Bat Hospital Visitor Centre

The Tolga Bat Hospital had humble beginnings. Back in 1990, after many bats were harmed by ticks, these owners started the hospital to save injured or sick bats. Now it has become the Tolga Bat Hospital Visitor Centre. For a wholesome day out, visit this cute little animal hospital!

You’ll be taught about bats, and their importance for the environment. A fun experience for adults and kids alike, the bat centre is unexpectedly a very fun day and educational day, offering something different in the Tablelands.

Make sure you book before going.

Go to a wine tasting

You might have seen the abundance of mangos in the area…did you know they’re also used to make wine? The Golden Drop winery makes wine out of mangos, and also specialise in their own cello mixes, creating lemon/lime cello and mango cello.

The wine tastings at the Golden Drop cellar door near Mareeba are a must do if you’re a wine fan! The flavours might surprise you!

Check out The Golden Drop for a wine tasting experience in Far North Queensland.

Swim in Lake Eacham

A pristine and clean large lake nestled in amongst the tropical jungle, Lake Eacham is truly an incredible place for a swim.

Over 66 metres deep, Lake Eacham is one of a kind when it comes to swims in Far North Queensland. The Lake is a crater lake, so it’s only ever been full on rainwater which evaporates and refills, which means there’s no flow of water. Zero currents make for the ultimate float. Take a floating device or go for a cool dip on a hot day. There’s also a walking path that follows the curve of the lake around the whole lake.