| THE TABLELANDS |
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The Atherton Tableland also
known as the Cairns Highlands is
just one hour's drive from Cairns
but seems a million miles away from
its coastal cousin. It's a different
world with cooler temperatures and
country-style hospitality.
Atherton Tablelands sitting atop a
plateau which rises up to 1,000
metres above sea level, the farm and
grazing lands of the Tableland is
the 'food bowl' of the north western
tropics, yielding a constant supply
of fruit, vegetables and grains to
local and export markets. You'll
also find more specialised products
like red claw crayfish, coffee, tea,
honey & macadamia nuts.
For a taste of local Atherton
Tablelands produce, or a treat to
take home, the Big Peanut at Tolga
sells peanuts in all flavours, fresh
fruit and veg and aromatic local
coffee. Sample honey from the
on-site hives at Atherton Honey or
the farm-fresh strawberries now in
season from Lake Eacham
Strawberries.
From the Atherton township, toss a
coin and follow any of the scenic
circuit drives which criss-cross the
Tableland. First things first though
- at the southern edge of town
you'll find one of Atherton's major
attractions, the Platypus Park. Here
you'll find a rare opportunity to
catch a glimpse of a wild platypus.
Also close by is the Hastie Swamp
Bird Hide, which gives bird and
nature lovers the chance to view
some of the most illusive migratory
birds in their natural surrounds. A
short drive from Atherton, the
Hastie Swamp National Park has been
upgraded so visitors can study birds
at close quarters without disturbing
them. You can sit high in the bird
hide and watch or take a self-guided
walk around the swamp.
Yungaburra has existed largely
unchanged since 1910, with more than
30 heritage listed buildings, as
well as cafes, arts and crafts
shops, bars and restaurants. Nearby
are the deep blue waters of twin
extinct volcanic crater lakes, Lake
Barrine and Lake Eacham. Take a
leisurely old-time cruise on Lake
Barrine and don't miss the local
Devonshire tea at the lakeside café.
Put the famous Curtain Fig Tree on
the must-see list, it's just minutes
from Yungaburra. Standing 50m tall
and spreading to 39m wide at the
base, the tree is more than 800
years old. The Yungaburra produce
and craft markets are held on the
fourth Saturday each month.
Nearby Mareeba was once the centre
of a thriving tobacco industry and
the town's large Italian population
is testament to the people who
pioneered the industry. Don't forget
to stop off at the Coffee Works for
coffee tasting and to take home some
local Tableland coffee.
Make sure you get up early and head
to the Mareeba Wetlands, a 2,000ha
protected area teeming with bird
life, including North Australia's
exotic Jabiru and Brolga. Wander the
wetland's boardwalks which offer
fantastic viewing, or take a tour in
a dinghy with a ranger.
Further south you'll find one of the
real treats of the Tablelands: the
Waterfall Circuit. Based around the
tiny town of Milla Milla, which
dates back to 1908, the circuit
covers a 16km scenic drive taking in
Milla Milla, Zillie and Elinjaa
Falls, some of the most picturesque
sites of the region. Each offers
easily accessible viewing. The
longer walks to the base of Zillie
and Elinjaa are well worth the
effort. Even further south is
Chillagoe with its old mines and
caves to explore. Or Undara's
ancient lava tubes.
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