Location

Around Yungaburra

One hour - yet a million miles - from Cairns, on the Atherton Tablelands is the village of Yungaburra. It's a pretty heritage township established in 1890, filled with charming original buildings and genuinely welcoming locals.

It's both small enough to walk all around, and large enough to cater for the needs of all its visitors; as well as international class art and craft galleries, the beautifully grand Lake Eacham Hotel and delightful eateries, there's even an internet café beside the mini-supermarket!

Aside from it's captivating charm, Yungaburra presents the ideal location to base yourself during a stay on the AthertonTablelands - the evergreen, naturally air-conditioned plateau containing the most picturesque waterfalls, lakes, rivers and streams you'll encounter in Australia.

Not only is the landscape here spectacular, but the animals who inhabit it are simply enchanting.

Yungaburra is known for platypus viewing and the best times to see these curious and rare animals are at sunrise and sunset, watching quietly from viewing platforms constructed at Peterson Creek and Allumbah Pocket. The surrounding rainforest is home to birds including the incredible earth-bound cassowary, all kinds of rare possums and the most adorable of Aussie creatures; the tree kangaroo.

This wealth of natural assets on the Atherton Tablelands provides superb inspiration to the local inhabitants, who showcase their creative talents in crafts, cuisine, art and all manner of home-making at the monthly Yungaburra markets. Held in the village green on the 4th Saturday of each month from 7am - 12 noon, the festive atmosphere and quality of goods at the markets draw crowds like a magnet. Each year, the region celebrates its colourful local culture with the Folk Festival held in Yungaburra each October.

From Yungaburra, the Tablelands' best attractions are within an hour's drive. On The Wallaby conducts daily Atherton Tablelands tours that take in all the highlights of this wonderful region.

How To Get There

Getting around the Atherton Tablelands is easy - but first you have to get here! There are four major highways leading to the Tablelands from the coastal lowlands.

1. Travelling north from Innisfail on the Bruce Highway, turn off to the Palmerston Highway. This southern gateway takes you through rainforests and dairy farms to arrive at the picturesque town of Millaa Millaa.
2. The next option from Cairns is the Gilles Highway, accessed from the town of Gordonvale just 25kms south. The road follows the Mulgrave Valley and its river, ascending swiftly to the cooler rainforests of the Lake Barrine and Yungaburra areas.
3. The third route is to take the Kuranda Range road from the turn off at Smithfield, north of Cairns. Panoramic views out to the Coral Sea are a bonus for travellers, as is the village of Kuranda at journey's end.
4. From Port Douglas, turn off the Bruce Highway to the Rex Range road, the northern access route to the towns of Julatten, Mt Molloy and Mareeba.
5. Catch our tour bus. Departs Cairns daily at 8:00am. See our Tours And Packages page for more information.

Tours And Packages

There's so much to see and do around here! Explore at your own pace on a mountain bike (we have them for hire!), go canoeing around beautiful Lake Tinaroo by day, or glide the rivers in a canoe at night on a nocturnal wildlife spotting tour with our expert guides.

Swim at the waterfalls and walk through the rainforest. Take a slow evening stroll around the heritage village of Yungaburra, and stop at the specially constructed viewing platform for some platypus spotting before your delicious BBQ Dinner.

Best of all, we've packaged the highlights for you in this overnight bargain deal! All prices are EX CAIRNS .

OVERNIGHT PACKAGE
WILDLIFE CANOEING
WATERFALLS TOUR
MAKE A DIDGERIDOO

OVERNIGHT PACKAGE Rainforest Waterfalls, Wildlife Canoeing and Mountain Biking
2 Days/1 Night Atherton Tablelands Tour - $165 per person
This popular nature tour takes us to the highlights of the cool tropical Atherton Tablelands. Departs Cairns daily at 8:00am. Day One: Rainforest Waterfalls: The day begins with a visit to the Curtain Fig Tree and continues with guided rainforest walks in search of native wildlife at both the Cathedral Fig Tree and the volcanic crater, Lake Barrine, before lunch. We travel to several rainforest waterfalls such as the famous Millaa Millaa Falls, and off the beaten track to Zillie Falls before pausing for refreshing tropical fruits and a swim at the beautiful Ellinjaa Falls. Overnight accommodation is at our award winning ON THE WALLABY BACKPACKERS LODGE , with platypus spotting before a seriously good BBQ dinner. Day Two: Mountain Bikes, Wildlife Canoeing: Guests are treated to a guided mountain bike ride through the lush, green Atherton Tablelands countryside and rainforest for a swim and walk at the volcanic crater, Lake Eacham. (lunch can be purchased here at own expense). In the afternoon we explore a secluded area of Lake Tinaroo in the safety of our two person canoes. Our guide will help you spot rare wildlife such as tree kangaroos, birds and water dragons. Then, have your face painted with Aboriginal ochre clay before hot showers, tea and coffee at ON THE WALLABY LODGE . The tour returns to Cairns at approximately 7:00pm. ::TOP:	Tour Inclusions: Cairns pickup and all transport Informative guides Lunch and BBQ dinner on Day One Share accommodation 3 rainforest waterfalls: Millaa Millaa, Zillie, and Ellinjaa falls Volcanic crater lakes: Lake Barrine & Lake Eacham Mountain biking: Curtain and Cathedral Fig Trees Guided canoeing on Lake Tinaroo Tea and coffee plus afternoon tropical fruit snacks Self serve breakfast for overnight package All park fees Optional Extras: Extra Night's Accommodation $20 Nocturnal Wildlife Canoeing $28 - A great way to spot unique rainforest animals- departs nightly 8pm (min 4)

ONE DAY WILDLIFE CANOEING TOUR
Departs Cairns daily at 8:00am - $95 per person
This fully guided day tour begins with a scenic drive up the Gillies Range, stopping for rainforest walks in search of native wildlife at both the Cathedral Fig Tree and the volcanic crater Lake Barrine, where we provide lunch. The afternoon is spent exploring a secluded area of Lake Tinaroo in the safety of our two person canoes. Let our informative guide show you the rare birds and wildlife such as tree climbing kangaroos, before painting your face with Aboriginal ochres. Hot showers, tea and coffee await you at the On The Wallaby Lodge to round off your day. Returns to Cairns at approximately 7:00pm. :TOP:	Tour Inclusions: Cairns pickup and all transport Informative guides Cathedral Fig Tree Volcanic crater lakes Lunch 3 hours wildlife spotting in canoes Life-jackets Binoculars Camera dry bags Tea and coffee All park fees

ONE DAY WATERFALLS TOUR
Departs Cairns daily at 8:00am - $95 per person
This value-packed day tour begins when your On The Wallaby guide takes you up the spectacular Gillies Range and onto the tropical Atherton Tablelands. Explore the Cathedral and Curtain Fig Trees and take a rainforest walk at Lake Barrine National park before lunch. Travel through the picturesque countryside for the day's highlights, swimming at several pristine waterfalls, such as the famous Millaa Millaa, plus a jungle trek to view the raging Zillie Falls before a refreshing swim and massage at the beautiful Ellinjaa falls. Last stop, On the Wallaby Lodge for tea & coffee to round off your day before we head back to Cairns arriving at approximately 7:00pm. What to bring: A small backpack, swimming gear and towel, walking shoes, a change of clothes, film, underwater camera, and your sense of fun and adventure! :TOP:	Tour Inclusions: Cairns pickup and all transport Informative guides Rainforest walks Volcanic crater lakes Curtain and Cathedral Fig Trees Lunch in Yungaburra 3 Rainforest Waterfalls: Millaa Millaa, Zillie, and Ellinjaa falls Lots of swimming, heaps of fun Tropical fruits Tea and coffee All park fees

MAKE YOUR OWN DIDGERIDOO
Departs Cairns daily at 8:00am - $130 per person
Make Your Own Didgeridoo With a traditional Aboriginal Family The “GUNDOII” Tribe Make, Paint and Play your yigi-yigi (didge) while learning the ways of the Yidinji people of Australia who have been making didgeridoos since the Dreamtime Didgeridoo your spirit!!!! Come and join us in Australia's largest tropical rainforest area swimming in freshwater lakes and waterfalls. Loose yourself in our activities and cultural experiences. Didgeridoo making to be arranged at the lodge on day of arrival!!!	Tour Inclusions: Spend around 5 hours with aboriginal family Teachings on making, playing and history Transfers from On the Wallaby lodge. Cheapest and most traditional tour in Australia Highest quality timbers collected from tribal areas. No minimum numbers All ages welcomed

Make Your Reservation Now!!