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Atherton Tableland - Cities, Towns and Localities |
Atherton
Chillagoe
Dimbulah
Kuranda
Mount Garnet
Lake Barrine
NP
Lake Eacham NP
Lake Tinaroo
Malanda
Mareeba
Ravenshoe
Tinaroo
Tolga
Yungaburra |
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Other towns, villages and localities in the Atherton Tableland region include:
Almaden
Amber Arriga Barrine Barwidgi Beatrice Bellevue Biboohra Bolwarra
Butchers Creek
Carrington Chewko Crystalbrook Danbulla Desailly East Barron Ellinjaa Evelyn
Forty Mile
Fossilbrook Gadgarra Gamboola Glen Allyn Glen Russell Glen Ruth Groganville
Gunnawarra
Herberton
Hurricane Innot Hot Springs Irvinebank Jaggan Julatten Kaban Kairi
Kalunga
Kirrama Koah Koombooloomba Kowrowa Kureen Lyndside Maalan Middlebrook Millaa Millaa
Millstream Minbun Minnamoolka Mona Mona Moomin Moregatta Mount Carbine Mount Garnet
Mount Molloy Mount Mulligan Munderra Mungalli Mutchilba Myola North Johnstone Nychum
Paddys Green Palmerston Peeramon Petford Ravenshoe Silver Valley Southedge Speewah
Springfield Tarzali Thornborough Topaz Tumoulin Upper Barron Wairuna Walkamin Watsonville
Wondecla Wongabel Wrotham |
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The Atherton Shire is on the tropical Atherton Tableland, situated between
Bellenden Ker Range and the Great Dividing Range, 90 km south-west of Cairns.
Rich in red volcanic soil, it ranges from 500 m to 1,280 m above sea level and
covers an area of approximately 620 kmฒ. Renowned for its mild tropical climate,
its temperatures range between 17ฐC and 25ฐC during September to June and
between 5ฐC and 14ฐC during July to August. Atherton enjoys cool summer nights
and mild, sunny winter days and rarely suffers from the high humidity
experienced in coastal areas.
The Atherton Tableland is accessible from the coast via four major highways:
- the Palmerston Highway near Innisfail,
- the Gillies Highway near Gordonvale,
- the Kennedy Highway which passes through Tolga to Mareeba in the north, and south through Atherton and Ravenshoe, and
- the Mossman-Mt Molloy Road near Mossman, which joins and becomes the Peninsula Developmental Road near Mount Molloy.
There are many attractions including the Waterfalls and Crater Lakes District
where visitors can enjoy rainforest, with bird watching and wildlife, such as
the platypus and musky rat-kangaroo. A leisurely drive leads to spectacular
lookouts and waterfalls, a highlights is Australias widest waterfall Millstream
Falls, the deep blue waters of extinct volcano crater lakes, Lake Barrine and
Lake Eacham (both volcanic crater lakes), the ancient Bromfield Swamp near
Malanda and Hypipamee National Park. There is Lake Tinaroo (which is three
quarters the size of Sydney Harbour), Millaa Millaa (Millaa Lookout), Innot Hot
Springs, Mungalli Falls, Davies Creek National Park, Chillagoe (home of the
Limestone Caves), Koombaloomba Dam, Mt Hypipamee Crater and much more.
You can also enjoy bush walking through the national parks, wildlife cruises,
hot air ballooning, fishing, white water rafting, and many other adventures.
Visitors will enjoy the many picturesque townships and villages.
Check out our listing of
Atherton and Atherton Tableland accommodation.
In addition to our listed online travel guide information, contact the local
tourism visitor centre for your destination for more attractions, tours, local
maps and other information. |
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The
Curtain Fig Tree
Curtain Fig Rd, YUNGABURRA
Located just outside of the township
of Yungaburra is one of the largest trees in North Queensland. At over 800 years
and standing some 50 metres high with a spread of 39 metres wide, this amazing
and unusual attraction is a fine example of the natural world. The tree is part
of the genus Ficus Strangler Fig, a species known as Ficus virens, more
commonly called a Curtain Fig.
The curtain effect resulted from the first tree being strangled by the
developing Curtain Fig tree. The first tree then fell into a neighbouring tree
(which is a stage unique to the development of the Curtain Fig tree). Vertical
roots then grow down from the Curtain Fig tree to form the curtain-like
appearance. The host trees die and rots away, leaving the Curtain Fig tree
free-standing.
To protect the site and provide views from all angles, there is an elevated
boardwalk surrounds the Curtain Fig Tree. A story board at the site details the
Creation of the Curtain Fig with a welcome from the Traditional Owners of this
country, the Ngadjon-Jii.
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Hallorans Hill Lookout
Hallorans Hill Lookout sits on
top of a dormant volcano, at the highest point in Atherton. From here you get
the most spectacular views over the Atherton Tableland. Here you can relax and
enjoy the view, with barbecue and picnic facilities. There are colourful
artworks by local artists scattered throughout the park.
If you take the walking track to the lookout (1.5 km), which starts at the
Environmental Park next to the Atherton Hospital, Louise Street, you should
allow an hour and a half return. During the walk
you will see a curtain fig tree, miniature waterfalls, rock pools and rainforest.
During the walk you may catch a glimpse of the bush turkey and the
tree-kangaroo. Once you reach the lookout, there are sweeping views across some of the richest
farming land in North Queensland. Points of interest include The Seven Sisters
(extinct volcanoes), Lake Tinaroo and Mt Bartle Frere (Queensland's tallest
mountain).
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Hou
Wang Temple
Donated to the National Trust
in 1979, this 100 year old Joss House still stands today as a reminder of a once
thriving Chinatown in Atherton. You can find this temple just a short walk from
Platypus Park and the Old Atherton Post Office Gallery on the Kennedy Highway,
Atherton. The Temple contains a substantial number of original artefacts.
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Mount
Hypipamee National Park
Situated approximately 25 km
from Atherton on the Kennedy Highway, see the Crater formed as a result of
escaping gases blasting a vent hole clean through solid granite. The Crater is
some 120 metres deep with a 70 metre pool of still water. Also take the walking
track to Dinner Falls and enjoy a swim in the various swimming holes along the
way. The Falls become the Barron River which flows into the ocean at Cairns.
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Platypus Park
Built on the surrounds of a
local freshwater stream. This park can be found on the Kennedy Highway heading
towards Herberton and is only 5 minutes out of Atherton. BBQ are supplied for
your convenience and the park has a fenced playground area. Platypus Park is
also used as the terminus for Railcos 1920s steam train which travels regularly
to Herberton and is considered to be one of the steepest lines in Queensland.
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Seven Sisters
Queensland Seven Sisters are a series of seven volcanic mounds on the Atherton
Tableland, near the town of Yungaburra. You can see them from
Hallorans Hill Lookout.
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Tinaroo Dam
Built on the Barron River and
supplying water for drinking, and irrigation for farming. Tinaroo is one of the
shires most popular tourist locations. Enjoy sailing, skiing, swimming,
fishing, red clawing, bird watching, picnic spots, BBQs, and much more.
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Tolga Bat Hospital
Ph: 07 4091 2683 (please telephone to visit - bookings are essential)
Every year Tolga Bat Hospital
rescues, rehabilitates and releases hundreds of bats that might otherwise die.
We also provide lifetime sanctuary for many bats that are too severely injured
to return to the wild. While this makes a real difference to the individual
animal, and the volunteers who are privileged to interact with them, there is a
lot more to be done. We are therefore very actively engaged in education,
habitat restoration, research and advocacy.
A not-for-profit community group that is 100 percent staff by volunteers. Please
help us save these wonderful animals by becoming a member of Tolga Bat Hospital,
staying at the guesthouse, making a donation or shopping with us on-line.
The Bat Hospital Visitor Centre
Open 3-6 pm - 1st June to 30th September - Wednesday to Sunday
BOOKINGS ESSENTIAL AT OTHER TIMES
Visitors have a unique opportunity to
see the work of the internationally-renowned bat hospital and meet some
Australian bats. Learn what is special about these flying mammals. Why do they
hang upside down? Why are they so important for the environment?
Visitors have the best experience if they keep to the 3-6pm timeslot as it is
feeding time for the bats. They come down from their 6 metre roosting area and
are down at eye level, ready for dinner.
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Tablelands Regional Council
Ph: 1300 362 242
Council website with information
about the Tablelands region, history and heritage, towns, arts and culture,
markets, walking trials, and maps.
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