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World Heritage Rainforest

Activities

Atherton is the "capital" of the lovely Tropical Tablelands, 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.

  Atherton Tablelands   Lake Barrine   Rock Wallaby   Hot Air Ballooning   Ulysses Butterfly

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.)
  • 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.
  • 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. © 2007