Welcome to the Atherton Tablelands

At the Atherton Tablelands, you will enjoy a mild tropical climate without the high humidity of the coastal areas. Also known as the Cairns Highlands, the region has an abundance of natural attractions and you will need more than a day to experience their true value.

Stay in one of the old Tableland towns and appreciate the charm of yesteryear. Just to give you a taste of it, you can visit an ancient Chinese temple in Atherton, jump on a historic train from Ravenshoe, browse arts and crafts at the Yungaburra Markets, take a cableway flight over the Barron Gorge from Kuranda, visit a dairy centre in Malanda and discover aircraft and weapons of war in Mareeba.

More than anything else, the main highlights of the Tablelands remain in the wild. Discover the beauty of waterfalls, scenic views, walking tracks, rainforest, and native animals. Have a swim in the crater lake of Eacham, follow the Millaa Millaa waterfall circuit, enjoy your favourite water sport on Lake Tinaroo and walk a segment of the 130km network of the Misty Mountains trails. While you might easily meet some climbing kangaroos, possums, and birds on your way, don't forget to watch for platypus in the rivers and creeks.

While nature has blessed the Tablelands with such spectacular and diverse landscapes, it has also given them very arable lands. Thanks to a rich red volcanic soil, the Atherton Tablelands grow prime fruit and vegetables and rear first-class cattle. Taste delicious local produce in a little store or in an award-wining restaurant, enjoy a delicious milkshake in a dairy farm, try Aussie macadamia nuts, savour tropical fruit wines, and take a tour in one of the coffee plantations.

Conveniently situated about an hour from both the coast and where the outback starts, the Atherton Tablelands is a wonderful spot for holiday.