SMALL GROUP. BIG EXPERIENCE.

TABLELANDS EXCLUSIVE TOUR

LENGTH: FULL DAY TOUR

Total capacity 11 Passengers
DEPARTS: CAIRNS AND NORTHERN BEACHES 

Far North Queensland Tablelands Exclusive Tour:

A short one hour drive from Cairns and we’re exploring an extinct volcanic crater filled with rainwater and surrounded by rainforest and wildlife! 

After morning tea and a beautiful rainforest trail, we’re off to find a Platypus, and sometimes even a Tree Kangaroo in the nearby town of Yungaburra.

UNIQUE FEATURES OF THIS TOUR

TOUR SUMMARY

Find a Wild Platypus and witness the truly magical ‘Avatar tree’.

First up on this fantastic nature day, we visit the ancient Cathedral Fig Tree. An 800 year old relic of the flora kingdom. Learn about the intricate life story of the Giant Fig while enjoying the morning chorus. Over 120 birds can be found and heard in the area.

Travelling on further to Lake Barrine we delight in an interpretive journey through the lakeside rainforest. Learn about the European history of the area. Listen out for the infamous Victoria’s Riflebird and many other elusive creatures.

We continue on our way for a delicious lakeside lunch and some WILD Platypus spotting! We’re grateful that our continual interaction in the region has afforded us some great locations to sight these rare and unusual animals.

During the heat of the day enjoy a pleasant swim or simply go exploring at Lake Eacham, often a highlight and a nice cool off.

Visit Malanda Conservation Park. The park is invaluable to the elusive Mapee (Lumholtz Tree Kangaroo) they are seen on a regular basis in this small patch of protected forest. Malanda falls is a beautiful photo opportunity on the walk and several other wildlife opportunities are available here, such as the Freshwater Snapping Turtle and the Grey-headed Robin

To finish off our day, a wonderful panoramic photo opportunity from Heales lookout overlooking Goldsborough Valley

Returning to Cairns approximately 5:30pm

ITINERARY

7:30am Pickup in Cairns
Travel up the panoramic Gillies highway while witnessing the dramatic change in habitat as we gain altitude. Enjoy beautiful views of Goldsborough Valley from Heales Lookout.

8:45am Arrive at Lake Barrine
An outstanding location for nature activities. Several walks are available offering great wildlife and bird watching opportunities. From 30 minutes to two hours, tailored to your desires. Let’s toast our wildlife spotting achievements over some local tea/coffee and the famous Tea House scones with jam and cream. Lake Barrine is a big highlight to spot reptiles such as water dragons, birds, eels, fish, other reptiles and several Wet Tropics endemic species. Lunch options are brilliant and the view is pretty special too!

11:30am Arrive in Yungaburra
One of our major focus points of the day, spotting WILD Platypus! Learn about their elusive behaviour and take as much time as you need to get that perfect photo! We often witness a resident Tree Kangaroo family at this location also.

1:00pm Arrive Lake Eacham
A chance to cool down during the hottest part of the day; swim in an extinct volcanic crater with pristine clear water surrounded by Rainforest. For our guests who would prefer not to swim, other nature sites are available close by!

2:00pm Arrive at Malanda Conservation Park
This conservation park is invaluable to the elusive Mapee ( Lumholtz Tree Kangaroo) They are seen on a regular basis in this small patch of pr otected forest. Malanda falls is a beautiful photo opportunity on the walk and several other wildlife opportunities are available here, such as the Freshwater Snapping Turtle and the Grey-headed Robin.

3:00pm Arrive at Cathedral Fig Tree
One of the most incredible trees you will see in your life. This ancient fig tree is an epic rainforest survivor with a very complex ecosystem surrounding its lifecycle.

4:00pm Depart Tablelands for Cairns
Time permitting, we may stop at the Mountain View hotel for a beverage and lovely views of the Little Mulgrave River and possibly a drive through Gordonvale to view the Sugar Refinery.

5:00 / 5:30pm Arrive Cairns
We’ll drop you back to your accommodation in Cairns between 5:00pm – 5:30pm.

MORE DETAILS

What’s included:

  • Passionate interpretive guide
  • Morning tea
  • Lunch
  • Sunscreen and Insect repellent
  • First aid kit on board
  • Umbrellas provided for rainy days
  • Binoculars

What to bring:

  • Sun protection advised: hat, sunglasses
  • Good walking shoes
  • Camera and water bottle
  • Day pack for carrying personal items
  • Towel & spare clothes for swimming
  • Your enthusiasm!

HIGHLIGHTS

  • Professional accredited guide
  • The incredible Cathedral Fig Tree!
  • Lake Barrine
  • Malanda Conservation Park
  • Platypus spotting
  • An optional swim at Eacham Crater

IMAGE GALLERY

Reviews

  • star rating  An outstanding day in the Atherton Tablelands rainforests and
    lake region. Matt and Rowen were perfect guides. Their knowledge about the rainforest wildlife and foliage was amazing.... read more

    A2Traveler30
    February 8, 2023
  • star rating  We cannot recommend this tour enough! Matt was the perfect guide with extensive knowledge about the rainforest and its wildlife. He even personalized the tour after finding out my partner... read more

    chenesis0865
    December 7, 2022
  • star rating  James Boettcher. what a legend! I had the pleasure of spending 4 days with James, in his absolute element, experiencing his infectious enthusiasm and willingness to impart knowledge.
    ... read more

    33aaron33
    December 2, 2022
  • star rating  This was truly exceptional trip - one of the best have taken anywhere or anytime. James took us into the Tablelands, where we saw a variety of animals,including tree... read more

    466timothyo
    November 9, 2022
  • star rating  See the crocodiles "scarface" and "elizabeth in their natural habitat, informative walks in the rainforest. James is knowledgeable and personable.

    X8812NWdavidt
    October 30, 2022
  • star rating  We booked the private tour to celebrate our honeymoon and boy did it not disappoint! James was an incredible tour guide and we learned so much about the wildlife, rainforest... read more

    362katelynr
    October 27, 2022
  • star rating  Four of us took a private full day tour with FNQ Tours that included a cruise on the Daintree River, walks in the rainforest and on a beach, lunch and... read more

    Global531769
    October 26, 2022
  • star rating  What an awesome tour this is! Matt was such an enthusiastic and knowledgeable guide who ensured that each guest had the best experience possible. We were able to... read more

    Meg E
    October 20, 2022
  • star rating  An amazing mix of birdlife, mammals and ineresting land forms- from coastal rainforest, and volcanic lakes to drier elevated savannah landscapes. Matt our driver and guide for the 5... read more

    Keith M
    October 3, 2022
  • star rating  We joined this tour following to Sanctuary’s recommendation. Our guide Matt was amazing! Friendly, helpful and fun to be with and also full of amazing knowledge of wildlife... read more

    akebono2017
    September 26, 2022

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