Best of Cairns
Atherton Tablelands from Cairns: Waterfalls, Lakes and Farms
The Atherton Tablelands, rising behind Cairns to an elevation of around 700 to 900 metres, offer a noticeably cooler climate and a different kind of landscape to the tropical coast. Key attractions include the twin crater lakes of Lake Eacham and Lake Barrine (part of the Crater Lakes National Park), Millaa Millaa Falls and the Waterfall Circuit, the quaint towns of Atherton and Yungaburra (with a weekly market on the fourth Saturday of the month), and Malanda, known for dairy farming. The Tablelands are also home to diverse wildlife including platypus in quiet streams near Yungaburra. Most of the key sites are accessible via the Gillies Highway from Gordonvale, south of Cairns, or via the Kennedy Highway from the city.
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1
Kuranda Village
A rainforest village on the Atherton Tablelands, accessible by the famous Kuranda Scenic Railway or the Skyrail Rainforest Cableway, with wildlife sanctuaries and artisan markets.
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2
Lake Eacham
A stunning rainforest crater lake on the Atherton Tablelands, with clear warm water for swimming and a circuit walk through the surrounding rainforest.
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3
Millaa Millaa Falls
The most photogenic of the Tablelands' waterfall circuit, a broad plunge waterfall into a deep, swimmable pool, 90 minutes from Cairns.
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4
Yungaburra Village
A heritage village on the Tableland known for the platypus observatory on Peterson Creek, excellent country cooking and the Yungaburra Markets on alternate Saturdays.
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5
Tablelands Waterfall Circuit (Self-Drive)
A 70km self-drive circuit linking Millaa Millaa, Zillie, Ellinjaa and other waterfalls, Queensland's most scenic rainforest drive, beginning at Millaa Millaa township.
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