Atherton Tablelands waterfalls are just one of the reasons people visit this beautiful area. Sometimes when you travel, you hear stories about a place or an area and you wonder if it’s really as good as everyone says. Well, I’m here to tell you that the Atherton Tablelands in tropical north Queensland is an area that really is as good as people say it is.
Made up of the larger town of Atherton and a series of smaller towns including Millaa Millaa, Malanda and Yungaburra, it extends as far north as Mareeba and Kuranda. The whole of Atherton Queensland abounds in the most stunning, natural beauty. And if you love waterfalls, and want to follow the waterfall circuit Atherton Tablelands then you won’t want to miss this area. There are so many Atherton waterfalls to explore!
Cairns to Atherton Tablelands is a short hour and twenty-minute drive if you are travelling up by road from Cairns.
Atherton Tablelands Map
Things To Do Atherton Tablelands
The Atherton Tablelands in Tropical North Queensland offers a multitude of activities for the adventurous traveller. First, the region’s stunning waterfalls and swimming holes make for a refreshing (and Instagram-worthy) escape in the hot Australian summer. Lake Eacham, Millaa Millaa Falls, and Josephine Falls are just a few of the many options for waterfall seekers.
For those looking to explore above ground, there are also numerous hiking trails winding through lush rainforests and atop volcanic crater rims. The lush landscape is also perfect for birdwatching, with over 200 species recorded in the area.
And don’t miss the chance to sample some of the region’s famous produce at Atherton Tablelands markets, one of the local farmers’ markets or wineries. From hiking to swimming to indulging in delicious food and drink, there’s something for everyone on the Atherton Tablelands.
MILLAA MILLAA
We chose to base ourselves in the tiny village of Millaa Millaa. Located just over 40 kilometres south of Atherton, it was a great central spot to explore from. The village of Millaa Millaa is over 100 years old and sits in the midst of prime agricultural land. On the main street, you will find a pub, a small supermarket, a takeaway and a couple of coffee shops.
If you are looking for a lovely spot for morning tea or lunch then make sure you check out Mungalli Creek Dairy. They have a range of platters or homemade treats available as well as a great selection of locally made cheese and yoghurts. It’s a great spot where you can sit outside under shady trees with views across the lush, green paddocks. Plus, it’s just a short 10-minute drive out of Millaa Millaa.
CHASING WATERFALLS
There is something so magical about waterfalls and not one of the ones we visited disappointed us. Not all are accessible if you don’t have a four-wheel drive and a sense of adventure. Some are not recommended if you don’t have good mobility as some of the walking tracks are narrow, steep, slippery and rocky. For us, we found the ones that were a bit more difficult to get to, just that little bit more special. These are just a few of the ones we visited.
MILLAA MILLAA FALLS
Millaa Millaa Falls is located just three kilometres from Millaa Millaa village. This Atherton Tablelands waterfall is very easily accessed, just a short walk from the carpark. These falls are surrounded by lush, tropical rainforests and the large pool at the base of them is safe to swim in. Because of their ease of access they are very popular, so an early morning visit may be best if you want these spectacular falls to yourself!
ZILLIE FALLS
Just a short drive from Millaa Millaa Falls you will find Zillie Falls. The viewing area is just a short walk from the carpark and takes in the falls and the surrounding rainforest. If you are feeling adventurous there is a rough track that you can scramble down to the base of the falls.
ELLINJAA FALLS
A mere three kilometres from Zillie Falls, these pretty falls are surrounded by lush rainforest and have a shallow pool at the base of them. Access is via a Grade 3 track so is a little steeper than some of the others.
MUNGALLI FALLS
Mungalli Falls is just a short drive from Mungalli Creek Dairy and are well worth checking out. Located within the Mungalli Falls Outdoor Recreation Centre, many people may miss these falls as they are on private property but the good news is – day visitors are welcome! The walk down to the falls is along a mainly well-formed road and then a boardwalk to the viewing platform.
MALANDA FALLS
Located on the outskirts of the village of Malanda, these small but picturesque falls are extremely popular. They are very easily accessed and the man-made pool at the base of them is perfect for cooling off on hot days. There are also some lovely shady areas where you can enjoy a picnic. Make sure you call into the Visitors Centre next door as they have an excellent display of the flora and fauna of the area.
MILLSTREAM FALLS
Just a short drive from the neighbouring town of Ravenshoe is Millstream Falls. Made up of Little Millstream Falls and Big Millstream Falls, both are spectacular with Big Millstream being one of the widest single-drop waterfalls in Australia.
MCKENZIE FALLS
If you fancy a little bit of four-wheel driving, then we highly recommend a day trip to check out McKenzie Falls. The track is quite narrow, so make sure you keep an eye out for spots where you can pull over to allow another vehicle to pass. Once there, it is about a 300-metre walk to the falls, over rough terrain so make sure you wear sturdy shoes. But the effort of getting there is certainly worth it as McKenzie Falls is stunning.
ATHERTON Qld
The largest town in the region, Atherton is another great spot to base yourself. Being a large town, it has plenty of shops and places to eat. On the main street, you will find The Crystal Caves. Here you can take the Crystal Caves tour or buy crystals or jewellery.
For the mountain bike enthusiast, Atherton has the world-class Atherton Forest Mountain Bike Park. With tracks and trails to suit all ages and abilities, this is a great place to enjoy some fresh air and exercise.
For great views of the area surrounding Atherton and a great park area for the kids to run around make sure you take a drive up to Hallorans Hill Lookout.
You could also stay at the Atherton
YUNGABURRA
Said to be the historic heart of the Atherton Tablelands, Yungaburra is a charming village that has a number of heritage-listed buildings dating back to the late 1800s. It’s a wonderful area to explore and if you have ever wanted to see a platypus in the wild, then this is the place to head to.
Yungaburra is just a 10-minute drive from Atherton or 30 minutes from Millaa Millaa.
PLATYPUS SPOTTING
Located just on the edge of the village you will find the Peterson Creek Walking Circuit and Platypus Viewing Area. It is estimated that only 10% of Australians have seen one of these elusive creatures in the wild.
Late afternoon or early evening are the best times to spot a platypus in the wild. We walked along the trail away from the noise of the main road and the viewing area and it wasn’t long before we were rewarded with our first sighting. We were then able to follow the platypus further upstream as he ducked and dived in and out of the water. A truly special moment and not one to be missed if you have the opportunity!
CURTAIN FIG TREE
Just a few minutes’ drive from Yungaburra is the amazing Curtain Fig Tree. The tree is estimated to be over 500 years old and stands over 50 metres tall. A formed boardwalk allows visitors to walk right around the tree and marvel at this majestic tree.
AFGHANISTAN AVENUE OF HONOUR
The Afghanistan Avenue of Honour was an unexpected find. Situated on the edge of Lake Tinaroo this beautiful memorial park recognises all Australian servicemen and women who served in Afghanistan and all those who made the ultimate sacrifice. Featuring an avenue of Illawarra Flame trees, there is also an honour board and a tribute to the working dogs of the military.
Lake Tinaroo is a popular spot for water sports including water skiing and fishing. The edges of the lake are grassy and there are some lovely shady areas as well – perfect for a picnic or for the kids to run around on! There is also a popular
LAKE EACHAM AND LAKE BARRINE
Just a short drive from Yungaburra you will discover the stunning volcanic crater lakes of Lake Eacham and Lake Barrine. Both are popular spots for swimming, canoeing or birdwatching. Both are surrounded by lush rainforest and the water is almost crystal clear.
At Lake Eacham there are purpose-built access points to the water, picnic spots and plenty of parking.
At Lake Barrine you can walk through the rainforest or around the rim of the crater. Lake Barrine also has the Heritage Teahouse Cafe where you can enjoy morning tea or lunch and stunning views of the lake from the tea house’s verandah. The Tea House has an interesting history as well. It was built in the 1930s as a dance hall and was even used as a convalescent home during World War II.
Atherton Tablelands Camping
Apart from the few
The Hipcamps App will be your friend when camping on the Atherton Tablelands. To use other planning and camping apps read our camping apps Australia post.
Atherton Accommodation: WHERE TO STAY On The Atherton Tablelands
We chose to stay at the Millaa Millaa Tourist Park, which is part of the Kui Parks network of parks. At the time we stayed there they had a deal that gave us our 7th night free. The park is built on a sloping site and being an older park some of the sites down the bottom are a little narrow, so if you have a large rig or are not confident at reversing they may not be suitable for you.
The park is largely surrounded by rainforest-type vegetation and lush green lawns. The amenities were clean, there is a large camp kitchen and a lovely pool area. But perhaps the best feature is the individual toilets dotted throughout the park so you don’t have to walk up to the amenities block if you don’t want to.
We stayed at Millaa Millaa for a week and went out exploring every day and still only skimmed the surface of all that the Atherton Tablelands has to offer. We highly recommend spending some time on the Atherton Tablelands.
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With years of experience travelling Australia in a caravan, I’m passionate about helping others embark on their own unforgettable adventures. From off-grid camping tips to expert advice on planning the ultimate big lap of Australia, I share stories, practical hacks, and inspiration to make your journey stress-free and exciting. Whether you’re a seasoned traveller or just starting out, join me as I explore the beauty of Australia, one road at a time!
