Atherton Tablelands is a stunning region located in the tropical northeastern part of Australia. It’s known for its variety of landscapes, ranging from hilly grasslands to patches of pristine rainforest. Between these landscapes, you’ll find waterfalls of all shapes and sizes, as well as unique flora and fauna. If meeting a platypus has always been on your bucket list, then this is the right place for you! Other animals such as tree kangaroos, cassowaries, and flying foxes also call the Atherton Tablelands home. In this travel guide, you’ll learn about all the must-see sights, great places to stay, and a route through Atherton Tablelands.
Good to know: The best way to explore Atherton Tablelands is by rental car, but if you’re not traveling through Australia with a rental car, you can join the Atherton Tablelands Day Tour from Cairns, which lets you visit the top spots in one day.
The 9 Best Places in Atherton Tablelands
These are the spots and sights you shouldn’t miss, in our opinion.
Curtain Fig Tree
Atherton Tablelands is home to many beautiful trees, but the Curtain Fig Tree stands out as a true giant. This massive fig tree is unique due to its many roots that hang down like a curtain. The tree is 50 meters (164 feet) tall and is estimated to be about 500 years old. A paved walking path surrounds the tree to prevent visitors from damaging it. It’s just a few dozen meters from the parking lot to the tree.
How did Curtain Fig Tree form? The fig tree grew over another tree as a parasite long ago. Its roots wound down along the original tree’s trunk to the ground, slowly suffocating the tree and causing it to fall against another tree. This unique situation led to the fig tree’s trunk forming a horizontal structure, with its roots now hanging down like an enormous 15-meter-wide curtain.
Lake Eacham
Lake Eacham is a beautiful crater lake formed about 10,000 years ago by a volcanic eruption. The lake is not connected to any rivers, so it’s completely filled by rainwater, which makes the water crystal clear and perfect for swimming. Don’t forget to bring your swimwear! You can also walk around the lake on a 3-kilometer (1.9 miles) trail, which takes about an hour.
Peterson Creek
Peterson Creek isn’t necessarily known for its beauty, but it’s famous for the unique wildlife you can spot here, including the platypus. This fascinating animal spends most of its time underwater, coming up for air every few minutes. Find a quiet spot, like near the hanging bridge, and wait patiently because sooner or later, one will swim by. It’s important to stay quiet, as platypuses get scared by noise.
In addition to platypuses, you can also see tree kangaroos and flying foxes at Peterson Creek. The best time to spot tree kangaroos is around sunset, but they’re hard to spot since they often stay high up in the treetops. Flying foxes, on the other hand, are easier to see. These huge bats hang in large groups in the trees during the day and often make a lot of noise, so you’ll notice them easily.
Tolga Bat Hospital
Tolga Bat Hospital is a non-profit organization that rescues and cares for injured and sick bats. By visiting the bat hospital, you not only support a good cause, but you’ll also get a chance to admire the bats up close and learn a lot about them. The tour takes place in the afternoon and lasts about 1 to 1.5 hours. Reservations are required.
Millaa Millaa Falls
Millaa Millaa Falls is the most photographed waterfall in Atherton Tablelands, and possibly in all of Australia. The water cascades perfectly down 18 meters (59 feet), surrounded by tropical plants, and you can take a refreshing dip in the pool below. On the right side of the waterfall, there’s a short (5-minute) trail through the jungle and along the river. Millaa Millaa Falls is located right by the road, so you don’t need to hike to get there.
Ellinjaa Falls
Just a short distance away, less than 7 kilometers (4.3 miles) from Millaa Millaa Falls, lies the beautiful Ellinjaa Falls. This waterfall is also easy to reach, with just a 200-meter (656 feet) walk from the parking lot. You can take a dip in the pool or relax on the shore and enjoy the peaceful surroundings.
Zillie Falls
Millaa Millaa Falls, Zillie Falls, and Ellinjaa Falls are part of the famous Waterfall Circuit. These three waterfalls are perfect to visit in one morning or afternoon. Millaa Millaa and Zillie Falls look similar, but Zillie Falls is much taller, standing at 30 meters (98 feet). Additionally, Zillie Falls is hidden deeper in the jungle, and you’ll need to walk a short distance to get there. Park your car in the parking lot and follow the trail into the jungle. It takes about 10 minutes to walk down to the base of the waterfall. It may take a little searching to find a good spot to view the waterfall, and it’s less suitable for swimming.
Josephine Falls
Josephine Falls is our favorite waterfall in Atherton Tablelands! This impressive waterfall has several tiers and is surrounded by large boulders and rocks. You can swim in a large pool with crystal-clear water. For extra fun, there’s a natural waterslide where you can slide down (pretty fast!). Many people know about Josephine Falls, as it’s such a beautiful and pleasant spot. To avoid the crowds, it’s best to go early in the morning.
Babinda Boulders & Devil’s Pool
Just a 20-minute drive from Josephine Falls, you’ll find Babinda Boulders & Devil’s Pool. When you park your car at the large parking lot, you’ll first pass Babinda Boulders. This is a small lake with clear, warm water, and it’s the only place where swimming is allowed. From Babinda Boulders, follow the trail along the river with large granite boulders. This area is known as Devil’s Pool, and although it looks tempting to swim here, it’s a very bad idea. There are whirlpools and strong currents underwater that could pull you under. So, enjoy the view at Devil’s Pool and swim in the water at Babinda Boulders!
Tip: Just before the entrance, you’ll pass Babinda Bakery, where you can grab some delicious sandwiches.
Sample Itinerary for a Visit to Atherton Tablelands
Since many of the spots are spread out, planning a logical route can be tricky. That’s why we’ve created a two-day itinerary for Atherton Tablelands, where you’ll visit the best attractions in a logical order.
Note: This route assumes you’re traveling from north to south in Australia. If you’re traveling the other way around, you’ll need to reverse this itinerary. You’ll need your own transportation for this route. If you don’t have a rental car, it’s better to book the Atherton Tablelands day trip from Cairns.
Day 1 in Atherton Tablelands
- Hike or swim at Lake Eacham
- Visit the Curtain Fig Tree
- Head to Peterson Creek to spot the platypus
- Check into your accommodation in Yungaburra
- In the afternoon, visit Tolga Bat Hospital
Day 2 in Atherton Tablelands
- Drive early in the morning on the Waterfall Circuit (Millaa Millaa Falls, Ellinjaa Falls, and Zillie Falls)
- Grab a tasty lunch at Babinda Bakery
- Visit Babinda Boulders & Devil’s Pool
- Swim at Josephine Falls
Tip: You’ll need to drive a bit out of the way to visit Babinda Boulders & Devil’s Pool. You could also choose to skip this stop.
Where to Stay in Atherton Tablelands?
Yungaburra is the ideal base for visiting Atherton Tablelands. This small village is close to many attractions like Lake Eacham, Tolga Bat Hospital, Curtain Fig Tree, and Peterson Creek. Yungaburra has some great accommodation options and a few restaurants. Below, we’ve listed three recommendations for where to stay in or just outside of Yungaburra.
Tip: If you plan to dine at a restaurant in Yungaburra, it’s best to make a reservation in advance.
Our Favorite Places to Stay in Atherton Tablelands
On The Wallaby Lodge is a cozy and affordable hostel in a great location in Yungaburra. It has a large garden with cozy seating areas, a shared kitchen, and both private rooms and dorms. It’s simple, but it has everything you need for a night or two. For a unique stay, try Chambers Wildlife Rainforest Lodges. Located by Lake Eacham, just a 10-minute drive from Yungaburra, you’ll stay in a chalet in the rainforest with a large balcony. From here, you can spot wildlife, and there’s also a viewing deck where you can observe exotic birds, relax, and swim. If you prefer a nice apartment in Yungaburra, Blue Summit Hideaway is perfect. The spacious apartments have a large kitchen, a nice dining area, a king-size bed, and a rain shower.
 On The Wallaby Lodge |
 Chambers Wildlife Rainforest Lodge |
 Blue Summit Hideaway |
