Things To Do on the Atherton Tablelands

Up here on the Atherton Tablelands, there are places to go, heaps to see, and some very beautiful spots to do nothing at all.

The team at On the Wallaby have organised the best local tours and what's more you don't have to be a guest at the Lodge to book them and take part!

Here's an overview of what's available from Yungaburra and On the Wallaby Lodge - for more details of tours and packages ex Cairns go to our Tours and Packages page.

• Platypus Viewing: Every evening at 6:00pm an On The Wallaby guide takes guests to watch these beautiful, unusual creatures in their wild habitat at sunset. It's an easy stroll from the Backpackers Lodge, and its free nightly for guests.
  
• Rainforest Walks: In house guests can start their day with a free transfer to Lake Eacham for swimming and rainforest walks , accompanied by an On The Wallaby guide.
  

... and these are the optional tours that we run:

• Night Canoeing Wildlife Tour: Fantastically memorable. Guided tour under the stars to see nocturnal rainforest animals like flying foxes, ringtail possums, water dragons, even platypus and tree kangaroos! Departs nightly 8pm. Minimum 4 persons and $30 per person.
  
• Half Day Waterfalls Tour: Guided visits to the 3 best Tablelands waterfalls, Zillee Falls, Millaa Millaa Falls and Ellinjaa Falls. Includes a tropical fruit platter and afternoon tea. Departs at 12.45pm daily and cost is $30.
  
• Mountain Bike Tour: Guided morning ride to Lake Eacham for a swim and an easy 3km walk, complete with back up vehicle. Departs 8.45am daily and cost is $30.
  
• Half Day Guided Canoe Trip: Afternoon paddle on Lake Tinaroo, spotting wildlife and enjoying the beautiful scenery of this huge lake. Departs 1.00pm daily. $30 per person.

Other Suggestions

• Platypus viewing is what this region is known for and there are daily guided tours at 6:00pm to see these wonderful creatures at Peterson Creek and Allumbah Pocket.
• Visit the local pub - the historic Lake Eacham Hotel at Yungaburra.
• Curtain Fig Tree (2 min) - dramatic and oh-so-photogenic, this is the Atherton Tableland's most famous tree.
• Tinaburra Waters (5 min) - the ideal place to chill, on the shores of beautiful Lake Tinaroo with swimming and canoeing.

• Lake Eacham (10 min) - an aquamarine lake surrounded by rainforest with great walking tracks, created zillions of years ago by volcanic activity for your swimming and picnicing pleasure!
• Lake Barrine (15 min) - sister lake to Eacham; a visual symphony with original heritage timber Teahouse and acclaimed Devonshire teas, wildlife, lake cruises and an easy walking track to the huge twin kauri pines.
• Malanda Falls (15 min) - close and easily accessible, these wide falls have a refreshing swimming pool and picnic area for lazing.
• Cathedral Fig Tree (20 min) - more magnificent tropical flora on the circuit road around Lake Tinaroo, itself a year round attraction for fishing and watersports.
• Millaa Millaa Lookout and Waterfall Circuit (35 min) - panoramic views across the Tablelands to the ocean, on a good day, and the perfect trifecta of waterfalls; Zillie Falls, Ellinjaa Falls and the bridal veil Millaa Millaa Falls.

• Mungalli Falls (40 min) - ruggedly beautiful mountain waterfalls, accessible even via wheelchair.
• Mt Hypipamee Crater & Dinner Falls (45 min) - sheer, 125m walls drop into the inky, volcanic vent hole of an extinct crater. A short walk away are the very scenic Dinner Falls.