Atherton Tablelands Nature & Wildlife Day Tour from Cairns
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
Discover the Wild Heart of the Atherton Tablelands
Minimum 2 people, maximum 11
Just 90 minutes from Cairns, the Atherton Tablelands is one of Australia’s most biodiverse regions — and this full-day nature and wildlife tour gives you rare access to its most extraordinary corners, guided by local experts who know exactly where to look.
Your day begins with a scenic drive up the panoramic Gillies Highway, where the landscape transforms dramatically as you gain altitude, with sweeping views over Goldsborough Valley from Heales Lookout setting the tone for the day ahead.
Lake Barrine is your first stop, a stunning volcanic crater lake fringed by ancient rainforest. Walk the lake trails at your own pace, watching for water dragons, eels, Wet Tropics endemic birds, and a remarkable variety of reptiles. Reward your wildlife spotting over morning tea at the famous Tea House of scones with jam and cream a Tablelands tradition.
At Yungaburra, the focus turns to one of Australia’s most elusive and iconic animals the wild platypus. Take as much time as you need along Peterson Creek, learning about their fascinating behaviour and capturing that perfect photo. Tree kangaroos are also regularly spotted here, making this one of the most memorable wildlife stops in Tropical North Queensland.
Cool down at Lake Eacham, where you can swim in the crystal-clear waters of an extinct volcanic crater, surrounded by pristine rainforest, one of the most unique swimming experiences in Australia.
The afternoon brings Malanda Conservation Park, a precious refuge for the rare Lumholtz’s Tree Kangaroo (Mapee), regularly seen in this small protected patch of forest. Watch also for the Freshwater Snapping Turtle and the Grey-headed Robin, before pausing at Malanda Falls for a beautiful rainforest photo opportunity.
Your final stop is the breathtaking Cathedral Fig Tree an ancient strangler fig of staggering scale, with a complex ecosystem that has been evolving for centuries. It is, quite simply, one of the most remarkable trees in Australia.
A full day in the wild heart of the Wet Tropics, unhurried, immersive, and unforgettable.
Itinerary
7:30am Pickup in Cairns
Travel up the panoramic Gillies highway while witnessing the dramatic change in habitat as we gain altitude. Enjoy beautiful views of Goldsborough Valley from Heales Lookout.
8:45am Arrive at Lake Barrine
An outstanding location for nature activities. Several walks are available offering great wildlife and bird watching opportunities. From 30 minutes to two hours, tailored to your desires. Let’s toast our wildlife spotting achievements over some local tea/coffee and the famous Tea House scones with jam and cream. Lake Barrine is a big highlight to spot reptiles such as water dragons, birds, eels, fish, other reptiles and several Wet Tropics endemic species. Lunch options are brilliant and the view is pretty special too!
11:30am Arrive in Yungaburra
One of our major focus points of the day, spotting WILD Platypus! Learn about their elusive behaviour and take as much time as you need to get that perfect photo! We often witness a resident Tree Kangaroo family at this location also.
1:00pm Arrive Lake Eacham
A chance to cool down during the hottest part of the day; swim in an extinct volcanic crater with pristine clear water surrounded by Rainforest. For our guests who would prefer not to swim, other nature sites are available close by!
2:00pm Arrive at Malanda Conservation Park
This conservation park is invaluable to the elusive Mapee ( Lumholtz Tree Kangaroo) They are seen on a regular basis in this small patch of pr otected forest. Malanda falls is a beautiful photo opportunity on the walk and several other wildlife opportunities are available here, such as the Freshwater Snapping Turtle and the Grey-headed Robin.
3:00pm Arrive at Cathedral Fig Tree
One of the most incredible trees you will see in your life. This ancient fig tree is an epic rainforest survivor with a very complex ecosystem surrounding its lifecycle.
4:00pm Depart Tablelands for Cairns
Time permitting, we may stop at the Mountain View hotel for a beverage and lovely views of the Little Mulgrave River and possibly a drive through Gordonvale to view the Sugar Refinery.
5:00 / 5:30pm Arrive Cairns
We’ll drop you back to your accommodation in Cairns between 5:00pm – 5:30pm.
What's included and what to bring
What’s included:
- Passionate interpretive guide
- Morning tea
- Lunch
- Sunscreen and Insect repellent
- First aid kit on board
- Umbrellas provided for rainy days
- Binoculars
What to bring:
- Sun protection advised: hat, sunglasses
- Good walking shoes
- Camera and water bottle
- Day pack for carrying personal items
- Towel & spare clothes for swimming
- Your enthusiasm!
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Discover the ancient Daintree Rainforest in style. Enjoy guided interpretive walks, a gourmet lunch and a wildlife cruise on Cooper Creek to spot crocodiles and birdlife. Friendly local guides who will share the stories, culture and ecology that make this World Heritage-listed rainforest so extraordinary.
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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.
