© Cairns Backpackers Guide 2013
A
typical
day
trip
will
set
you
back
anywhere
from
$85
to
$160
and
the
content
will
differ
depending
on
the
tour.
The
following
list
is
in
order
from
the
cheapest
tour.
•
Captain Matty’s Barefoot tours
Another hightly recommended tour and at a great price. This tour is “all
about relaxing and having a you beaut day out with no time restrictions’’ so most
backpackers would find this tour to be just the thing.
•
Tropics Explorer Tablelands Tour
This tour is an absolute bargain and good fun as well.
•
Wait a while Wildlife Tour
The only way you will see lots of native rainforest wildlife without hijacking a uni
zoology field trip.
See column on left for more info.
There are 5 or 6 waterfalls on the tablelands, but by far and
away the best one is Milla Milla Falls (pictured right). It is a
great place to get skimpy and wet especially in the summer
months. In the winter the water gets mighty chilly but that
doesn’t stop the scandinavian backpackers all whom seem
intent on swimming behind the falls. All of the tours go here.
Atherton
Tablelands
is
about
an
hour
drive
west
of
Cairns
and
is
a
great
place
to
not
just
see
some
rainforest,
but
also
cool
off
in
the
lakes
or
waterfalls,
something
not
easily
accessible
in
Cape
Trib.
In
fact,
it
makes
sense
to
do
the
Tablelands
rather
than
Cape
Trib
if
you
are
here
during
the
wet
season
not
just
so
that
you
can
take
a
dip,
but
also
because
Cape
Trib
gets
so
much
rain
in
the
wet
season
it’s
not
funny.
Here
are
the
main
attractions of the Tablelands
•
The curtain fig tree (right)
•
The Cathedral fig tree
•
Lake Eacham and Barrine. Both have walks, Eacham
•
is best for swimming, Barrine has a boat cruise $15).
•
Milla Milla falls (and other waterfalls)
•
Paronella Park (photo below).
•
Mamu Rainforest Canopy Walk
The Tablelands really do lend themselves to the option of renting a car and not worrying about a
tour. The roads are easy to navigate (although you will have to drive on steep mountain roads
with many bends) and a day trip is not too rushed. Make sure you get an early start though if
you choose this option. It is best to drive up the Gillies highway and back down the same way or
back via the Palmerston Highway (allow more time). Having said that though the cheapest tour
is only about $85/person so this is a hassle free way of seeing all the Tablelands has to offer.
It was originally built 80 odd years ago by
a Spanish settler for his not so beautiful
wife. It comprises romantic gardens
including the tunnel of love , Kauri Pine
Avenue and concrete picnic tables (moss
covered) by the river. The castle side of it
is just as awe inspiring including the
grand staircase, the theatre room and tea
house. If you are self driving entry is
about $40.
The 2 main lakes on the Tablelands are
Lake Barrine and Lake Eacham. They are
both volcanic crater lakes with clear blue
water surrounded by rainforest. Lake
Eachem is perfect for swimming whilst
Lake Barrine runs boat cruises on the lake
and has the tea house (perfect lunch
stop). There are rainforest walks around
both, and Barrine has 2 of the biggest
Kauri pines you will ever see. All fo the
tours go to one or the other of the lakes.
TIt is very hard to see rainforest wildlife
as they are all pretty much nocturnal. You
really need to go on tour like the Wait a
While Wildlife Tour . Animals you can
expect to see are:
•
Platypus (98% success rate!)
•
Possums
•
Bandicoots
•
Flying foxes
•
Pademelons (rainforest wallabys)
Plus a whole lot more you might see if you
are lucky such as tree kangaroos and
bettongs
Possum
If you have the time and money you
really should haul your ass to Paronella
Park. It is just a magical, enchanting mix
of jungle and concrete architecture.