The Atherton Tablelands/Cairns Highlands is rich in wildlife, beauty, natural wonders, history and adventure - an entire holiday is waiting to be discovered!

The region is renowned for its stunning waterfalls and rainforests, abundant wildlife including more than 300 species of Australian birds, rich mining and early settler history, breathtaking natural wonders, historic heritage listed towns and its friendly, laid-back charm.

Not only can visitors to the Atherton Tablelands/Cairns Highlands savour the sights and sounds of the region but also the amazing tastes. Foodies will love the wine, coffee, cheese, chocolate, tropical fruits and other gourmet delights all grown and produced locally.

Visits to the Curtain Fig Tree, Lake Tinaroo, Mt Hypipamee Crater, Undara Lava Tubes, Broomfield Swamp, Mamu Canopy Walk and the twin crater lakes of Barrine and Eacham are also a must and it is all possible as part of this great self drive itinerary.

Itinerary

Day One & TwoArrive into Cairns and head to the beachside town of Holloways Beach. Holloways Beach is just 10 minutes from the Cairns Airport and Cairns CBD. It is a great base for you to experience the Great Barrier Reef, the perfect location for self-drivers and the ideal starting point for your Cairns Highlands / Atherton Tablelands Self Drive Encounter.Overnight Cairns Beach Resort (2 nights)

Day Three & Four Depart Cairns and make your way up to the Atherton Tablelands/Cairns Highlands. Visit the world famous Kuranda Markets prior to continuing west to Mareeba. Your first overnight stop will be at Jabiru Safari Lodge at the Mareeba Wetlands (main picture above), a 2,000ha reserve famous for its prolific bird and wildlife. Ensure you are here by 3pm to enjoy your Sunset Safari on the lagoon followed by cheese, wine and the most glorious sunset from the deck of the visitor centre. The next morning you can get a birds eye view of the entire Atherton Tablelands from a Hot Air Balloon. Early morning tours depart from nearby Mareeba. Also close is Granite Gorge. You can explore the walking trails and you’ll have a fantastic opportunity to hand feed rock wallabies in their natural habitat. Another feature of this area are the coffee plantations, some offer tours and all offer tastings and opportunities to take some fresh beans home with you. Overnight Jabiru Safari Lodge at the Mareeba Wetlands (2nights)

Day Five & Six Depart the Mareeba Wetlands and head south. The landscape changes from outback savannah to lush green rolling hills. Along the way stop at Mt Uncle Distillery, located at Walkamin, it is positioned in the middle of tropical fruit plantations and their cafe is a real treat for lunch.

From this part of the Cairns Highlands south you head into dairy country. Plenty of dairies are open to the public to taste their wares. Beautiful cheeses, yogurts and chocolate tastings abound. Enroute to your overnight accommodation you will also discover tea plantations and strawberry farms where you can pick your own fruit.

Atherton Tablelands / Cairns Highlands Self Drive Encounter

Jabiru Safari Lodge

Curtain Fig Tree, near Yungaburra

Milla Milla Falls

Rose Gums Wilderness Retreat

Agile Rock Wallabies

Cairns

Port Douglas

Mareeba

Kuranda

Gordonvale

Atherton

Malanda

Millaa Millaa

Innisfail

Mission Beach

Ravenshoe

Undara

Yungaburra

Rose Gums Wilderness Retreat

Jabiru Safari Lodge

Castaways Resort and Spa

Herberton

Rex Range

Kuranda Range

Gillies Range

Palmerston Highway

Great Barrier Reef

Great Barrier Reef

Itinerary continued...Continue on and as you get close to the multi-award winning Rose Gums Wilderness Retreat you enter Wooroonooran National Park, an incredible rainforest landscape. From your tree house, enjoy the views of Queensland’s highest mountains and escape the rigours of everyday life. Enjoy 9km of walking trails, a swim in the natural waterfall or just open a bottle of wine, grab a book and unwind.

From your base at Rose Gums WIlderness Retreat the historical township of Herberton is a great side trip. Once a thriving tin mining town and the oldest town on the Atherton Tablelands, now a quaint little town that reminds us of a time gone by. Also located in Herberton is Herberton Historical Village, an absolute must see for all ages.Overnight Rose Gums Wilderness Retreat (2 nights)

Day Seven & Eight Head south to the township of Milla Milla, there is a waterfall circuit consisting of 6 beautiful waterfalls. Most are a short walk from their car parks and some make the perfect stop for a picnic or check out one of the best dairy’s in the area next to Mungalli Falls, which also happens to be the longest of the waterfalls at 90 metres.

Then it’s back down to the coast to one of the undiscovered gems of Tropical North Queensland, Mission Beach. Enjoy your absolute beachfront accommodation at Castaways Resort & Spa. Indulge in a massage, work your way through the cocktail list or stroll along 14km of pristine beaches. For the more adventurous, the reef is on your doorstep, the rapids of the Tully River will get your heart pounding. You can even try skydiving, landing on the sands directly in front of the resort. The options are endless. Overnight Castaways Resort and Spa - Mission Beach (2 nights)

Day NineMake your way back to Cairns for ongoing arrangements.

Rose Gums Wilderness Retreat

Castaways Resort & Spa, Mission Beach

Suggested places to stop and see on

your Atherton Tablelands / Cairns Highlands Self Drive Encounter

✦Skybury Coffee, The Australia Coffee Centre -

plantation tours as well as cafe & gift shop

✦ Granite Gorge - walking trails and hand feed Rock Wallabies

✦ Picturesque town on Yungaburra

✦ The Waterfall Circuit is a must

✦ Lake Eacham

✦ The Crater & Mt Hypipamee National Park

✦Tolga Woodworks

✦Mungalli Creek Dairy

✦ Lake Barine - devonshire tea at the Tea

House & the Cruise are must do’s

✦ Mamu Rainforest Tree Top Walk

✦ Nerada Tea Plantation

✦ Gallo’s Dairyland - Cheese & Chocolate tastings

✦ Mt Uncle Distillery - taste their award-winning spirits

✦ Herberton Historical Village

✦ Coffee Works

Mission Beach

Walkamin