Activities

Atherton is the "capital" of the lovely Tropical Tablelands (find location here), a land of beautiful volcanic lakes, waterfalls, gorges, mountains, rich red soil and tropical rainforest. Here the temperature is cooler, the pace is slower and there is a feeling of relaxation in the air.

Things to do & see on the Atherton Tablelands

• A beautiful, scenic and unspoilt, undulating tableland between 500 and 1000 metres above the " The Great Barrier Reef " perfect for self driving tours.
• Ancient Rainforest (see picture above), Volcanic lakes , Waterfall Circuit (including Millaa Millaa Falls) , Mareeba Wetlands , National Parks,  "World Heritage Listed - Wet Tropic" Rainforest areas as well as Mabi Rainforest and an abundance and diversity of flora and fauna . - (Tree Kangaroos, Platypus, Brolga, Rock Wallabies, Kangaroo, Bandicoot, Quolls, Bird life etc- guided night spotting tours can be arranged.)
• A highlight is to visit "Platypus Bend" only a 15 minute drive from Atherton & The Summit, it is a 71 ha private property which is registered as "Land for Wildlife". Walks and canoe hire are available to get up close and view native rainforest with some of its inhabitants, such as platypus, Lumholtz tree kangaroo's, echidna's, green ring tailed possums, pademelons, Johnstone river turtles, fish and lots more, without the tourist "hordes" found at other sites.
• Adventure Activities include: Hot Air Ballooning, Free Flying, Horse Riding, Barramundi fishing, Bungy Jumping, Pioneer walking trails with Donkeys and Go-Kart Racing.
• The Dream Continues at Paronella Park , "...The surprise of your Travels".
• Be assured of a "catch" at the Tablelands best fishing park, "Tarzali Lakes" , or just feed and watch.
• Visit working Coffee & Tea Plantations, Mango Wineries, Gourmet Dairy food tasting and other agricultural pursuits. Self Drive the Tropical Food Trails.
• Cheese & chocolate tasting at Gallo's Dairyland.
• The Mareeba Wetlands, a bird watchers haven & conservation success story. Circum-navigate the lake with the Rangers expert commentary and view the beautiful Gouldian Finches - brought back from extinction.
• "Rainforestation Nature Park" , Pamagirri Aboriginal Experience, Koala's and amphibious Army Ducks, restaurants and gift shops.
• Historical towns of Yungaburra, Atherton, Herberton, Chillagoe & Irvinebank - the regions heart from 1880 - 1920
• Only a two hour drive to the outback Chillagoe caves.
• Gemstone fossicking and Gold panning , off the normal tourist track.
• The Hou Wang Miau Chinese Temple, the last surviving structure of what was Cedar Camp, the Atherton Chinatown, established in the mid 1880's.
• Indulge yourself in sampling the exotic dairy products of the Mungalli Creek Bio-Dynamic Dairy.
• Historic Steam Train journeys, up the steepest grades in Queensland.
• Granite Gorge, feed the Rock Wallabies in their natural habitat and get a feel for the very Australian landscape.
• Aviation and Military Museum as well as camp sites, recording the Atherton Tablelands role in WWII.
• Lake Tinaroo and Tinaroo Dam , - Tours, Cruises and Water sports with boat and canoe hire, as well as the peaceful Danbulla State Forest Drive around its foreshores.
• A Variety of bushwalking tracks, ranging from easy to strenuous, rainforest to savannah, mountains to wetlands, and circum-navigating volcanic lakes to volcanic craters.
• The Curtain and Cathedral Fig Trees, both over 500 year old Strangler Fig Trees. The giant Twin Kauri Pines at Lake Barrine are testament to the Atherton Tableland origins.
• Master a selection of Golf Courses, in beautiful fresh mountain air, individually or as part of an organised Golf Tour.
• Cairns, Kuranda, Mission Beach and Port Douglas are all accessible to and from Atherton, within a 1.5 hours drive.
• Short drives to Tropical beaches, Outback, and/or Savannah areas, makes The Summit central to the attractions of the entire region.
• The Undara Lava tubes and Cobbold Gorge are accessible or charter our 4WD vehicle  
• Use our Tour Desk to book these day trips, or any other.

Why Visit?

The "Tablelands" has a beautiful temperate climate, which makes it a January to December Destination. Avoid the rush, and come in the " Low Season " (Dec-April), the climate is comfortable, free of coastal humidity but still accessible to those coastal areas. Alternatively, come in the " High Season " (July-Nov), and feel the warmth of our "Tropical" sun. A three minute drive, brings you to Hastie Swamp, a Two level bird hide that views thousands of birds in their natural habitat, or visit Crystal Caves in the Main Street of Atherton. Mt Mulligan Escarpment is a must see. The region also hosts a number of antique and arts & craft shops, as well as art studio's & galleries.   

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The Summit Rainforest Retreat. © 2008