Day Trips

Atherton Tablelands Waterfalls Tour from Cairns

Name: Atherton Tablelands Waterfalls Tour from Cairns
Start: 2026-09-19T07:30:00
End: 2026-09-19T18:30:00
Location: Cairns

Explore the Atherton Tablelands on an 11-hour guided tour through lush rainforests, volcanic lakes, and some of Queensland's most scenic waterfalls.

Travel through the scenic Gillies Highway and visit the 500-year-old Cathedral Fig Tree, while learning about the culture and traditions of the Yidinji and Mbabaram people.

Enjoy a refreshing swim at Lake Eacham, see the iconic Millaa Millaa Falls, and experience the natural rock slide at Josephine Falls.

Refuel with a buffet lunch at Mungalli Falls, followed by a visit to the fairytale-like Babinda Boulders and an optional bush walk.

Travel comfortably in an air-conditioned coach with a live guide, Cairns and Northern Beaches pickup and drop-off, morning tea, afternoon tea, and games and puzzles for the journey.

11-hour day tour of the Atherton Tablelands

Expert guide

Pick-up and drop-off from Cairns and the Northern Beaches

Air-conditioned coach transfers

Morning tea, buffet lunch at Mungalli Falls, and afternoon tea

Games and puzzles during the journey

Gratuities

TOTAL DURATION11 hours - 11 hours 15 minutes
MODE OF TRANSFERA/C Van
Start point
Cairns
Get direction
Passes By
Gillies Highway
1. Cathedral Fig Tree
Meet the Yidinji and Mbabaram Traditional Owners, learn about their culture, and experience the 500-year-old strangler fig tree.
2. Lake Eacham
1 activity
3. Millaa Millaa Falls
4. Mungalli Falls
5. Josephine Falls
6. Babinda Boulders
End point
Cairns
Get direction
Your ending point would be same as your start point

You can cancel these tickets up to 24 hours before the experience begins and get a full refund.

779 reviews
How do we collect reviews?
These ratings include verified reviews from both Headout guests and our trusted partners who operate this experience locally. All reviews come from real travelers who've taken this experience.
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What our guests say
Angela C
Solo
Verified booking
Yesterday
Kelly M
Verified booking
Jul 2021
Awesome tour! The guide was great, and all the places we visited were really beautiful.
Jean O
Verified booking
Jul 2021
Some really nice photo-worthy spots. Our guide was really friendly, we enjoyed hearing the spooky Aboriginal stories from him.
Alex B
Verified booking
Jun 2021
Great experience. The places were beautiful, especially the Millaa Millaa Falls. The bus was cool and clean, and our guide did a great job of keeping everyone entertained with games on the ride. Loved his way of narrating the Aboriginal stories, it made them seem even more spooky.
Conor G
Verified booking
Aug 2024

Explore the Atherton Tablelands on an 11-hour guided day tour from Cairns, with scenic rainforest stops, waterfalls, a volcanic crater lake, and a buffet lunch at Mungalli Falls.

Getting started

Your day begins with pickup from Cairns or the Northern Beaches. Board your air-conditioned coach, meet your live guide, and settle in for the journey through the scenic Gillies Highway towards the Atherton Tablelands. Games and puzzles are available during the ride to keep you entertained between stops.

What to expect

Connect with local culture: Visit the Cathedral Fig Tree, a 500-year-old strangler fig, and learn about the culture and traditions of the Yidinji and Mbabaram people, the traditional Owners of the area.

Swim at Lake Eacham: Head to this tranquil lake inside a dormant volcanic crater, where you can enjoy a refreshing swim surrounded by rainforest.

Visit Millaa Millaa Falls: Explore the Wet Tropics World Heritage-listed rainforest and see the iconic Millaa Millaa Falls, one of Australia's most photographed waterfalls.

Enjoy lunch at Mungalli Falls: Stop for a buffet lunch at Mungalli Falls, giving you time to refuel and relax amid the surrounding scenery.

Experience Josephine Falls: Continue to Josephine Falls for the chance to ride its natural rock slide, fed by fresh rainforest water.

Explore Babinda Boulders: Finish the sightseeing portion of your day at the picturesque Babinda Boulders. Hear Aboriginal stories from your guide and, if you wish, take an optional bush walk through the surrounding landscape.

Refresh with afternoon tea: Enjoy afternoon tea before settling back into the coach for the return journey.

Wrapping up

After your final stop at Babinda Boulders, relax on the return journey to Cairns or the Northern Beaches. With transfers, refreshments, lunch, and a full day of guided sightseeing included, you can enjoy the Atherton Tablelands without having to plan the route yourself.

What to bring

Bring along a hoodie or a warm jacket as it can get cold in the mountains. Also bring swimwear, sunscreen, towel, hat, and a camera.

Swimming is possible at Lake Eacham, while Josephine Falls offers the chance to ride its natural rock slide. Bring swimwear, a towel, sunscreen, and a change of clothes if you plan to get in the water.

Some stops, including Babinda Boulders, may involve walking on uneven or natural terrain. Comfortable shoes are recommended, especially if you plan to take the optional bush walk.

Additional information

Departs from Cairns & Northern Beaches at 7:30am and returns at 7pm.

Infants (under 2 years old) must be seated on parents' lap and no meal is provided

Vegetarian, vegan & gluten-free meals are available.

Your voucher will be emailed to you shortly.

Display the voucher on your mobile phone with a valid photo ID at the starting point.

Please check your final voucher for the starting point details & specific instructions.