Southern Tablelands Waterfalls, Wildlife & Paronella Park - Day Tour

The Tour The Southern Tablelands is one of Tropical North Queensland's bes kept secrets. Instead of travelling the more well worn routes and doing the more commercial rainforest tours, come and see an entire local area with rainforest, waterfalls, crater lakes, fertile farming lands, small and historic townships and wildlife galore!

Your day starts with a coach pick up from Cairns or Cairns Northern Beaches accommodation. Make your way along the stunning Gillies Highway to the Atherton Tablelands to your first stop of the day, the beautiful Lake Barrine. This stunning volcanic Crater Lake is filled with pristine rain water and is surrounded by World Heritage listed rainforest teeming with abundant wildlife. Visit the historic Lake Barrine Tea House with sweeping views of the lake and enjoy their famous award winning 'Devonshire Morning Tea' of freshly baked scones served with Jam and Cream and locally brewed tea or coffee.  Browse through beautiful colourful gardens with many native ferns, orchids and flowering plants. If desired a quick swim in the crystal clear, cool waters is also offered.

After leaving Lake Barrine, take a short journey through quaint country towns and farming areas to visit an unusual quirk of nature; the 600 year old Curtain Fig Tree nestled in World Heritage Mabi rainforest. This is one of the world’s most visited trees and is easily accessible via elevated timber boardwalks. The surrounding Mabi Rainforest is home to the shy Lumholtz Tree Kangaroo, only found in Tropical North Queensland! The Mabi Rainforest is also home to many species of birds, possums and the Boyd's Forest Dragon which are all seen occasionally.

After departing the Curtain Fig Tree, you will travel through picturesque farming areas and country villages to visit world famous Millaa Millaa Falls, one of the most renowned and photographed waterfalls in Australia! The waterfall flows over solid volcanic basalt rock formed over many thousands of years ago giving the perfect drop for Millaa Millaa creek to fall for approximately 20 metres into a pool surrounded by verdant green rainforest. A quick swim is also encouraged as the excitement of being underneath the cool flowing waters of the water fall is invigorating to say the least.

Stop at Roscoes Italian Restaurant in Innisfail for a satisfying lunch with an authentic Italian ‘all you can eat’ hot and cold buffet featuring roasted meats, fresh garden salads, freshly baked breads, pasta and antipasto dishes to name a few! Roscoes buffet features up to 40 different styles dishes and will leave you feeling replenished and ready to start an afternoon of further exploration!

From Innisfail make your way to the amazing Paronella Park's Spanish styled castles in the rainforest. Your visit includes a 45 minute tour expertly conducted by Paronella Park's own knowledgeable guides. Paronella Park is a multi award winning tourist attraction with National Trust listed Heritage gardens and castle ruins, also boasting North Queensland's first hydro-electric power plant, all built by Jose Paronella at Mena Creek Falls. Enjoy the combination of the 7,500 plants, trees and ferns Jose and his wife Margarita planted plus the growth that has occurred over the past 70 years. The Park has become an amazing habitat for hundreds of varieties of birds, butterflies, fish & many other animals.

After enjoying a guided tour of the park and its lush gardens, have fun feeding the fish and turtles with free time to browse through the museum. The miniature bats in the 'Tunnel of Love' will make you smile.

All too soon it’s time to reboard your coach and make your way back to Cairns and Cairns Northern Beaches accommodation with drop offs at accommodation from 5.30pm in the afternoon.
Tour Includes

• Return coach transfers from accommodation
• Travel along the scenic Gillies Highway to the Tablelands 
• The giant Curtain Fig Tree (600 years old) via elevated rainforest boardwalks
• A Devonshire Tea at Lake Barine
• 1,100 year old twin Bull-Kauri Pine trees
• World famous Millaa Millaa Falls
• Opportunity for a swim at Babinda Boulders
• Delicious Hot all you can eat Italian Buffet at Roscoe's Piazza.
• Up to a 2 hour plus visit to the award winning Paronella Park (Includes a 45 min guided Historical tour of the Park)
• Quaint country villages & diverse farming areas
• Experienced Naturalist guide
• Interpretive rainforest walks
• Spectacualar Crawford's & Heales Lookouts
• Swimming in beautiful crystal clear rainforest rivers & waterfalls
• National Park fees
• Small groups and lots of fun

Rates - Valid 01st of April 2022 to 31st of March 2023

• Adult AU$189.00
• Pensioner AU$185.00
• Child (4 -14 years of age) AU$139.00
• Infant (aged under 4 years of age) AU$70.00 ** A dedicated Booster Seat or Infants Capsule will be provided 
• Family Package (2 Adults & 2 Children aged 4 - 14 years of age) AU$569.00

Please Note: This tour is currently operating 7 days a week.  

Important Booking Notes: Please use the Booking Form's Comment's Box to specifiy Child / Infant ages and / or if any participants hold a Pension or Seniors Card. Please also indicate if you have any special dietary requirements.  

Optional Extras - Valid 01st of April 2022 to 31st of March 2023

• Return transfers from Cairns Northern Beaches AU$30.00 pp 
• Return transfers from Port Douglas AU$70.00 pp  

What to Bring

• Light, comfortable clothing & footwear suitable for walking
• Sunscreen, hat & sunglasses
• Swimmers & Towel (optional)
• Bottle of water
• Camera
• Light jacket or pullover for winter months (May to September)