Come hiking and explore the Atherton Tablelands in depth on this small group full day walking tour.
With a maximum of 7 guests travelling in air-conditioned 4WD comfort, this is the ideal option for a family, group of friends or those who just like to avoid the crowds and see some unique landscapes and local attractions of the Cairns hinterland and native Australian wildlife on an energetic hiking tour.
James is your passionate and highly experienced hiking guide, driver and photographer for the day.
He is a passionate local nature buff and the ideal person to show you the highlights of the Atherton Tablelands native Australian flora and fauna, up close and personal, so if you are a Twitcher, animal lover or keen to see a Platyus in the wild then this is great Cairns nature tour for you.
He will be on hand with not only knowledge on the day but also the necessities including insect repellent, sunscreen and binoculars.
Departing Cairns at approx. 7:30 am, your hiking tour begins with a comfortable drive west of Cairns to the Atherton Tablelands and the first stop at the ancient Cathedral Fig Tree.
This 800 year old tree is a species of strangler fig and one of the largest in Far North Queensland with a ‘curtain’ of aerial roots dropping around 15 meters from above to the forest floor.
This stop is not only ideal for stunning pictures of this incredible tree, but also a fantastic opportunity to view the hundreds of species of rainforest birds that can be seen and heard in the area.
Take the time to explore the board walks in full with your guide.
Morning Tea is served at your next stop – Lake Barrine. Lake Barrine and Lake Eacham are twin volcanic crater lakes formed over 10,000 years ago. Enjoy a guided tour of the lakeside rainforest where you will have the opportunity to spot a variety of local birds and wildlife.
This is a perfect tour for the keen wildlife and nature photographer. James is also on hand to take photos throughout the day and you can arrange to get copies of these at the end of your walking tour.
Relax after your walk with one hour cruise on Lake Barrine with more wildlife spotting opportunities. Beyond the sights of the rainforest, there are also the hidden creatures and the chance is high to hear a Bird of Paradise or Victoria’s Rifle Bird from deep within the surrounding rainforest.
Continue on your way for your seafood lunch and platypus spotting before completing your day with a stop to admire the views at the Milla Milla lookout and a stop at Lake Eacham volcano crater where you are welcome to enjoy a swim or simply relax.
Your expected arrival time into Cairns will be 5:30 pm just in time for sundowner drinks on the esplanade overlooking the Great Barrier Reef.
Good To Know
We have Wet Tropics Certification and Savannah Guide Certification
We are monthly supporters of Bush Heritage Australia and Volunteers for Tropical North Queensland Wildlife Rescue
Birders love to join our informative tours. We also offer overnight tours on our fully immersive rainforest nature tours.
Cairns Hiking Tours | Shared Tour | FNQ
- Location:
- Duration:
9 hours (approx)
The summit is 1300meters above sea level
We gain a total altitude of 600m during the hike
Total walking track is 10 kilometres and takes most groups 6 hours to complete with stops
Enjoy exploring some of the most exciting and interesting land marks on the Atherton Tablelands on this full day Cairns hiking tour. Stand in awe beneath the giant 800-year-old Cathedral Fig Tree, with the canopy of this rainforest monolith towering high above. Learn the interesting history of this tree with the chorus of over 120 species of birds as the background music. Enjoy a boat cruise on Lake Barrine where you can spot wildlife on the fringes of this ancient volcanic crater. Hike thru the rainforests and listen out for the distinct calls of the local Bird of Paradise, the Victoria’s Riflebird, or spot a turtle as it breaks the surface for a breath. After a seafood lunch and platypus spotting, finish off the day with amazing vistas from Milla Milla lookout and a cool refreshing swim in Lake Eacham. You will be dropped back to your Cairns accommodation by approximately 5:30pm.