The Cairns Highlands, also referred to as the Atherton Tablelands, is one of the most scenic regions of tropical North Queensland and is a cool, calm contrast to this bustling tourist city of Cairns.
Rent a car in Cairns and drive up through the World Heritage rainforest to Kuranda, the “village in the rainforest” and discover the local arts and crafts of the region.
The Canopy Treehouses
The Canopy offer boutique treehouse accommodation set in 100 acres of pristine ancient rainforest. Nestled in the heart of the Atherton Tablelands renowned for its lush tropical waterfalls, fresh fruits and local produce every weekend at one of the bustling markets.
Mount Quincan Crater Retreat
Welcome to your private paradise. Luxury accommodation for couples with spectacular views of the Atherton Tablelands in tropical north Queensland.
Kookaburra Lodge Motel
Adventure awaits at Yungaburra & Atherton Tablelands. If it’s adventure you’re after this is the place to come.
Discover the history of the Tablelands, starting at Yungaburra which has changed little since 1910 and is the largest National Trust village in Queensland. It is home to 18 heritage-listed buildings.
Check out the Eacham Hotel, better known as the Yungaburra Pub, with its old-world Federation architecture, the cosy Whistle Stop Cafe across the road, the curiously alpine-looking Vienna Inn with a traditional Middle European menu, and the award-winning Nick’s Restaurant and Yodellers’ Bar serving mostly Swiss-Italian food.
The enormous Malanda Hotel, with its grand staircase and ballroom, celebrated its centenary last year. It is reputedly the largest single timber structure in Queensland.
Lake Barrine is a crater lake created by an ancient exploding volcano and its surrounding crater rim is one of the most complex and fascinating rainforest ecosystems in the world. Get a close-up look at its wonders on the 40-minute Lake Barrine Rainforest and Wildlife Cruise that operates from the Lake Barrine Teahouse where you can sample award-winning devonshire teas and scones.
All of this and more, including bucolic scenery to die for, sunshine and blue sky just before brief torrential rain and then sunshine again glistening on rolling green pastures, on lakes, waterfalls and cute, old colonial towns.