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Sunrise over the Tablelands – the hot air balloon guide Cairns
Floating silently above the Atherton Tablelands at sunrise, watching kangaroos graze in golden paddocks below – this is one of those Cairns...
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Atherton Tablelands Tours from Cairns
Experience the flavours of Tropical North Queensland on a boutique Atherton Tablelands tour through lush rainforest, fertile farmland and rolling plains. This Atherton Tablelands tour combines scenic landscapes with local food and wine experiences.
Adult $189|Child 2-11yrs $149|Family 2A+2C $527
Departs daily 7.30am – 5.30pm
On the Waterfalls and Wanderer tour you will travel south as you discover nature and the beauty of north Queensland’s most iconic waterfalls. This is a MUST-SEE for anyone wanting to experience pristine rainforest, cascading waterfalls, stunning panoramas of Queensland’s highest peaks and maybe a glimpse of rare and unique native wildlife. This fun tour is ideal for the young and the young at heart, looking to see the best of the Atherton Tablelands and waterfalls.
Adult $189.00 | Child 2-11yrs $149.00 | Family 2A+2C $527.00
7:30 am
5:30 pm
Adult $219|Pensioner $209|Child 4-14yrs $169|Infant $70
Departs daily 7.30am – 6.00pm
Join this small group tour for an unforgettable adventure led by expert guides. Explore scenic lookouts, World Heritage rainforest, waterfalls, ancient kauri pines, and iconic sights like the Curtain Fig Tree. Discover Yungaburra and Malanda townships, swim at Millaa Millaa Falls, and enjoy a restaurant-quality lunch. Conclude with a guided walk at Paronella Park to explore the enchanting ruins of a Spanish-inspired castle, surrounded by vibrant gardens and cascading waterfalls. Discover the fascinating history of its visionary creator, José Paronella, and the park’s intriguing past.
Adult $219.00 | Pensioner $209.00 | Child 4-14yrs $169.00 | Infant $70.00
7:30 am
6:00 pm
$265 Adults – Children under 15 not catered for on this tour.
Departs Wed, Thu, Fri, & Sat
Palm Cove 7.30am – Cairns 8.00am
Spend a day savouring the Atherton Tablelands, where volcanic soil, rainforest, and rolling farmland come together to produce some of the region’s fine food, wine, and spirits. Taste your way through hand crafted chocolate, gourmet cheeses, smoked meats, tropical fruit wines, and handcrafted liqueurs. A true taste of the tropics.
Adult $265.00 Children under 15 not catered for on this tour.
7:30 am
5:00 pm
Spend a full day exploring the stunning Atherton Tablelands on this nature and wildlife-focused day tour from Cairns. Search for wild platypus and tree kangaroos at Yungaburra. Discover rare Wet Tropics wildlife at Lake Barrine, swim in an ancient volcanic crater lake at Lake Eacham, and stand before the awe-inspiring Cathedral Fig Tree. Small group personalised service, this is the Tablelands as most visitors never see it
$450.00 Per Person minimum 2
7:30 am
5:30 pm
Adult $239|Child 4-16 yrs $179|
Family 2A+2C $750
Departs 7am – 6pm
Join this exclusive small-group 4WD tour that travels inland to Chillagoe, North Queensland’s Outback. Enjoy morning tea at Skybury Coffee Plantation in Mareeba, spot kangaroos, emus, wildlife galore! Drive past diverse dry tropical farmlands. Pass through historic mining ghost towns and small outback communities. Visit the local Aboriginal Rock Art and Balancing Rock. Explore the famous Chillagoe Caves and see the once-booming Chillagoe smelter ruins, enjoy an Outback Aussie lunch in a 100-year-old pub.
Adult $239.00 | Child 4-16 yrs $179.00 | Family 2A+2C $750.00
7:00 am
6:00 pm
Adult $259 | Child 4-12 yrs $209.
Not recommended for children under 4 years old.
Departs Mon, Thu & Sat 11.00am – 9.00pm
Travel south of Cairns for a rainforest-guided walk at Babinda Boulders, discover Innisfail’s art deco heritage, and enjoy afternoon tea at Etty Bay with the chance to spot a Cassowary. Explore the enchanting Paronella Park by day
and night. Learn the inspiring story of José Paronella and explore this unique heritage-listed site then finish with a hearty country-style dinner at the historic Mena Creek Hotel. A must-do tour for lovers of nature and history.
Adult $265 Children under 15 not catered for.
Departs Port Douglas Wed, Thur, Fri & Sat
7 Delicious stops including tastings of liqueurs, wine, beer, spirits, Handcrafted chocolate, cheeses, coffee, chocolate, tropical fruits and nuts,
$450.00 per person
Self Drive to The Mareeba Heritage Centre approx 5.00am: – to meet our Pilots & Crew. Meeting times are confirmed on booking.
Experience the fun & unique sensation of being in a Hot Air Balloon, flying gently high above the Atherton Tablelands, Australia.
Take off is from Mareeba as you soar into the air. Enjoy the picturesque landscape at dawn as you float in a hot air balloon. Admire the scenic views of vast open spaces on all sides. Keep watch for local wildlife, including native birds or even kangaroos roaming free.
Departs Daily – $495.00 per person
Experience the fun & unique sensation of being in a Hot Air Balloon, flying gently high above the Atherton Tablelands, Australia.Complimentary hotel pick ups from Cairns City, Cairns Beaches and Palm Cove
Start with an early morning pickup and transfer from your accommodation in Cairns. Approx 4.00am
Return approx. 9.30am – 10.00am -Breakfast at your own expense.
Departs Daily $495.00 per person
Discover the flavours of Tropical North Queensland on a memorable Atherton Tablelands tour just a short drive from Cairns. Known as the Food Bowl of the North, this Atherton Tablelands tour showcases rich volcanic soil, rainforest scenery and fertile farmland that create the perfect blend of nature and taste.
Travel through rolling rainforest, savannah plains and farmland on an Atherton Tablelands day tour, meeting local producers and sampling the region’s finest flavours including coffee, chocolate, macadamias, bananas and tropical fruits. This Atherton Tablelands day tour offers a relaxed way to experience the Tablelands’ unique landscapes and food culture.
This boutique Tablelands tour combines stunning landscapes, local storytelling, and regional tastings — the perfect escape for food lovers, nature seekers, and anyone wanting a genuine Cairns local experience.
Have questions? Call (07) 4028 3567 or browse our Cairns tours.
Here’s why thousands of customers trustCairns Discovery Tours.
🗓️ Flexible Cancellations
Enjoy peace of mind with our flexible booking policy. Most Cairns Tours can be cancelled up to 24 hours before departure with a full refund. (Helicopter tours are 48 hours) We make exploring Cairns stress free, so you can book with confidence.
💳 Book Now, Pay Later
Reserve your place on our popular Cairns day tours with Klarna’s Book Now, Pay Later option, or just give us a call or send us an email to secure your booking. We will be in touch to arrange payment 7 days before your departure. Perfect for planning your Cairns holiday without upfront costs.
🌴 Local Since 1995
For over 30 years, Cairns Discovery Tours has been proudly locally owned and operated. Established in 1995, we’ve shared the tropical beauty of Far North Queensland travellers from around the world. Based in Cairns, we offer authentic tour experiences backed by genuine local knowledge and long standing connections to the region.
👩🏫 Expert Local Guides
Our passionate Cairns tour guides are storytellers, historians, and nature enthusiasts. With deep local knowledge, they bring the Great Barrier Reef, Daintree Rainforest, and Cairns’ tropical heritage to life, ensuring an unforgettable and educational experience.
Rena Keeney
26 days ago
We had such a fun time on a half day tour of Fitzroy island with Cairns Discovery Tours! We managed to do an everything we wanted (Nudey beach, long snorkel and lunch) within the time period we had and we even got to swim with turtles 🐢 an unforgettable experience!
This would not have been possible without the fantastic help of Maryanne who booked us in for the tour. She went above and beyond to help us find somewhere to leave our bags during our tour and we wouldn’t have been able to go without her help.
We enjoyed the experience so much and we are very grateful to Maryanne for her help and her exceptional customer service! I would definitely recommend booking local for these kind of experiences because that kind of customer care just doesn’t come when you book through third party sites.
10/10 experience ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Seka Mrkonja
1 month ago
Highly recommended!
karen McArthur
15 days ago
We went on a tour with Discovery Tours today, doing the Mossman Gorge, Daintree / Daintree River Cruise, finishing of visiting Cape Tribulation…
Our driver was James, who was exceptional.
Giving running commentary along the trip. Guiding his group of people through all the different areas. Thanks James, top job.
Rachael E
1 month ago
In June I came to Cairns on holiday from the UK. It was the biggest holiday I've ever taken and because my health limits what I can do took a lot of planning. Maryanne at Cairns Discovery Tours was brilliant. She helped me choose suitable trips, gave me additional information so I could be prepared, advised on the easiest way to get to the departure point for those trips that don't pick up from my accommodation, etc. I booked all my trips except one with Maryanne. Her knowledge of Cairns was invaluable to me. She spoke to me on Whatsapp to answer my questions (we had to arrange call in advance because of the time difference) and when it occurred to me quite close to departure date that I'd need a way of protecting my head and neck from the sun when snorkelling Maryanne got me a suitable headscarf and dropped it off at my accommodation ahead of my arrival. When a friend decided to join me on some of the trips Maryanne was really helpful to her as well. If I am able to come back to Cairns I'll book as much as I can with Maryanne and Cairns Discovery Tours. The service couldn't be bettered.
Trevor Andrews
22 days ago
We have just done the 3 day/2 night Cooktown and Cape Tribulation Tour with 2 friends. An unbelievable experience due to our fantastic guide Steve, who had so much local knowledge on everywhere we visited, especially historical info on the Palmer River gold rush in the 1800s, and Daintree Rainforest botany. Steve was such a good raconteur with friendly personality, who went out of his way to make our trip so enjoyable. Accomodation at both Cooktown and Cape Tribulation was excellent, with amazing setting of the cabins at Cape Tribulation in the rainforest right by the beach. Everything advertised for the tour and more was an memorable experience. Thank you so much Steve!
John Power
18 days ago
I was delighted with the Kuranda tour arranged by this company. The timings worked excellently and it was an eminently well organised tour. The train trip up to Kuranda was great fun and fascinating. Personally, I was particularly interested in the engineering. We had an hour in Kuranda Village, which was enough for me, although I expect some people would have liked to have seen the village and visited the butterfly world, which I think would have been tight. Rainforestation was great, plenty of activity of a variety of natures. I could not throw a boomerang to save my life, but it was fun to try. Then the bus down to Cairns was efficient and friendly, with a superb guide.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the Atherton Tablelands and why is it worth visiting from Cairns?
The Atherton Tablelands is a fertile highland region located inland from Cairns, known for its dramatic waterfalls, volcanic crater lakes, World Heritage rainforest, diverse wildlife, and thriving agricultural scene. Often called the ‘Food Bowl of the North,’ it offers a very different experience to the reef and coast cooler temperatures, lush green landscapes, and a slower pace that appeals to nature lovers and foodies alike.
What attractions are typically included in an Atherton Tablelands day tour?
Common highlights include Millaa Millaa Falls, Zillie Falls, and Ellinjaa Falls; the volcanic crater lakes Lake Barrine and Lake Eacham; the ancient Curtain Fig Tree; Yungaburra village; Skybury Coffee Plantation; local farm and food tastings (including coffee, chocolate, macadamias, cheese, and tropical fruits); and the Mount Uncle Distillery. Some tours also visit Paronella Park or include a hot air balloon experience at dawn.
How long is an Atherton Tablelands tour from Cairns?
Most Atherton Tablelands day tours run from approximately 7.30am to 5.30pm, giving you a full day to explore the region. Some speciality tours such as the hot air balloon involve an early morning start (around 4.00am) with return to Cairns by mid-morning.
Can you see waterfalls, rainforest and wildlife on the same tour?
Yes, the Tablelands packs a lot into a single day. Most tours visit multiple waterfalls, pass through World Heritage rainforest, and stop at crater lakes where wildlife sightings are common. Platypus, tree kangaroos, wallabies and a variety of birds are frequently spotted, particularly at dusk or on wildlife-focused evening tours.
What's the best time of year to visit the Atherton Tablelands from Cairns?
The Tablelands can be visited year-round from Cairns. The dry season (May to October) brings clear skies and comfortable temperatures. The wet season (November to April) sees the waterfalls at their most dramatic and the rainforest at its lushest, though some roads may be affected by heavy rain. Hot air balloon flights operate year-round, weather permitting.
Are Atherton Tablelands tours suitable for all ages and fitness levels?
Generally yes. Most tours are relaxed and scenic with minimal physical demand travelling by coach and making short stops at key attractions. Some waterfalls and walking tracks involve uneven terrain, so comfortable closed-toe shoes are recommended. Specific tours like the hot air balloon are not suitable for young children, so it’s worth checking individual tour details before booking.
What can you do in Yungaburra?
Yungaburra is one of the Atherton Tablelands’ most charming historic villages, known for cafes, heritage buildings, local shops and nearby wildlife viewing. Many visitors also use Yungaburra as a stop while exploring Lake Eacham, the Curtain Fig Tree and the Tablelands waterfall circuit.
Can you swim at Millaa Millaa Falls?
Yes, swimming is usually possible at Millaa Millaa Falls when conditions are safe. It is one of the most popular waterfalls in the Atherton Tablelands and is often included on waterfall and rainforest day tours from Cairns. Always follow local signs and safety advice before entering the water.
What is the Curtain Fig Tree and where is it?
The Curtain Fig Tree is a large heritage-listed strangler fig near Yungaburra in the Atherton Tablelands. Its dramatic curtain-like roots make it one of the region’s best-known rainforest stops and a popular photo opportunity on Tablelands day tours.
How far is Yungaburra from Cairns?
Yungaburra is around 70 to 75 kilometres from Cairns by road, depending on the route. Travel time is usually around 1.5 hours, with many tours visiting Yungaburra as part of a wider Atherton Tablelands itinerary.
For questions about bookings, cancellations, group travel and accessibility, visit our page.
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