Atherton Tablelands Tours

Discover the Atherton Tablelands by bus.

Tours & Experiences

Atherton Tablelands
Atherton Tablelands Waterfall Tour
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Nature Wildlife
From$159.00
12 Hours
Cairns Atherton Tablelands, waterfalls and National Parks Tour
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Nature
From$157.00
Paronella Park,
Paronella Park, Lake Barrine & Millaa Millaa Falls Tour
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Escorted Nature
From$234.00
10 Hours

Atherton Tablelands

The Atherton Tablelands is a fertile highland region in Far North Queensland, Australia, located inland from Cairns at elevations between 600-900 meters. This elevated plateau offers a refreshing contrast to the tropical coast, with cooler temperatures and rich volcanic soil that supports diverse agriculture.

The region is renowned for its spectacular natural beauty, featuring pristine crater lakes like Lake Barrine and Lake Eacham, formed by ancient volcanic activity. Lush rainforests, including sections of the Wet Tropics World Heritage Area, cascade down hillsides dotted with impressive waterfalls such as Millaa Millaa Falls and the Millstream Falls, Australia's widest single-drop waterfall.

Agriculture thrives here, with sprawling dairy farms, coffee plantations, macadamia orchards, and tropical fruit farms characterizing the landscape. The tablelands produce much of Australia's avocados and table potatoes, while also supporting a growing wine industry.

Towns like Atherton, Mareeba, and Yungaburra serve as charming bases for exploring the region, offering local produce markets and heritage architecture. The area is also home to diverse wildlife, including tree kangaroos and platypuses, making it popular with nature enthusiasts.

The Atherton Tablelands provides an ideal escape combining natural wonders, agricultural heritage, and outdoor activities, all within easy reach of the Great Barrier Reef coast.

What to See

Waterfalls

Millaa Millaa Falls – the most photographed waterfall, perfect for swimming
Zillie Falls and Ellinjaa Falls – nearby on the waterfall circuit
Millstream Falls – Australia’s widest single-drop waterfall

Crater Lakes

Lake Eacham – crystal-clear swimming spot surrounded by rainforest
Lake Barrine – scenic lake with boat cruises and rainforest walks

Natural Attractions

Curtain Fig Tree – massive 500-year-old strangler fig near Yungaburra
Cathedral Fig Tree – another ancient giant fig in the rainforest
Mount Hypipamee Crater – dramatic volcanic pipe crater

Towns & Villages

Yungaburra – historic village with platypus viewing at Peterson Creek
Mareeba – coffee and tropical fruit plantations
Atherton – local markets and heritage buildings

Unique Experiences

Wildlife spotting – tree kangaroos, platypuses, cassowaries
Coffee plantation tours
Cheese and wine tastings at local farms
Hot air ballooning over Mareeba
Swimming in natural pools and waterfalls

The region is compact enough to see multiple attractions in a day, with Millaa Millaa Falls and the crater lakes being the top priorities for most visitors.

Atherton Tablelands bus service for tourist spots

The Atherton Tablelands has limited public transport, but several options exist for tourists:

Public Bus Service Trans North Bus & Coach Service operates between Cairns and the Atherton Tablelands, stopping at towns like Mareeba, Atherton, Yungaburra, and Malanda. This is a “Hail & Ride” service where bookings are not taken, and you can flag down the bus at safe stopping points. However, this service primarily connects towns rather than tourist attractions, making it challenging for sightseeing.

Organized Tour Buses (Recommended) Most tourists use dedicated tour buses from Cairns, which include:

Uncle Brian’s Tours – Features “Gus the Wonder Bus” for waterfall tours at around $169
Barefoot Tours – Small-group eco tours with swimming stops
Billy Tea Safaris – Full-day tours including Coffee Works, Millaa Millaa Falls, and Historic Village Herberton
Cairns Discovery Tours – Food and wine tours departing Wednesday-Saturday
Tropic Tours – Specialty tours with local produce tastings

These tours typically include hotel pickup in Cairns, guided commentary, lunch, and visits to multiple attractions like Millaa Millaa Falls, Lake Eacham, and the Curtain Fig Tree. Prices range from $139-$255 depending on inclusions.

Recommendation: For tourists, organized day tours are far more practical than public transport, as attractions are spread out and not easily accessible by the limited bus service.

Atherton Tablelands Tours

Tours & Experiences

Atherton Tablelands

What to See

Atherton Tablelands bus service for tourist spots

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