Get your discount tickets for the From Cairns: Atherton Tablelands Wildlife & Waterfalls, save up to 13% !
Overview
The Atherton Tablelands holds ancient rainforests, volcanic crater lakes, and wildlife found nowhere else on Earth. This is the best way to spend a full day in it. Departing Cairns, your small group heads into World Heritage-listed rainforest for a day of swimming, exploring, and wildlife watching. Slide down natural rock chutes at Josephine Falls, swim beneath Millaa Millaa Falls, cool off in volcanic Lake Eacham, and stand beneath the 500-year-old Cathedral Fig. Watch for platypus, cassowary, tree kangaroos, and turtles. Sightings are a regular part of the day. Your guide is local and genuinely passionate. They will point out wildlife you would walk straight past and adapt the pace to your group. Maximum 20 guests, so every stop gets proper time. Picnic lunch, entrance fees, national park permits, and return Cairns transfers included. Certified carbon-neutral. Fully accredited Queensland operator.
Meeting and Pickup
Our vibrant green or Orange bus with the Barefoot Tours logo awaits you 15 minutes before your scheduled time at the Reef Fleet Terminal, Bus Bay #7, 1 Spence St., Cairns Marlin Marina, Cairns CBD. Or your please arrange pick up at your accomodation in Cairns city.
Redemption Instructions
Welcome to your adventure with Barefoot Tours! Dietary Requirements: Your comfort and enjoyment are our top priorities. Please inform us of any dietary requirements at least 24 hours in advance to ensure we can cater to your needs appropriately. Stay Informed: TripAdvisor's platform may not pass your email or phone number to us, making direct communication challenging. We recommend checking TripAdvisor's app the day before your tour for any important messages from our team. This is our primary way to inform you of any necessary details or changes. Tour Cancellation Policy: We value your time and experience. In the rare event that we need to cancel the tour, decisions will be made by 6 PM the day before. Cancellations can occur due to minimum participant numbers not being met, adverse weather conditions, or other unforeseeable circumstances. We will communicate any cancellations through TripAdvisor's app, so please keep an eye on your notifications. Prefer a hassle-free start? Arrange a direct pick up ($10 per person) with operator at least 24hrs in advance for a smooth beginning to your adventure.
Pickup Information
Meeting point: Reef Fleet Terminal, Bus Bay #7, 1 Spence St, Cairns Marlin Marina, Cairns CBD Meeting time: 7:30 AM Or, arrange pick up at your accommodation in Cairns city.
Language Offered
English-GUIDE
Itinerary
1. Meet the Barefoot Tours bus at Reef Fleet Terminal, Bus Bay #7, 1 Spence St, Cairns Marlin Marina. Look for the vibrant green or orange Barefoot Tours bus - arrive 15 minutes before your scheduled departure time.
2. Your first stop is Babinda Boulders, known as nature's playground - a fast-flowing tropical creek set among huge granite boulders and lush Bellenden Ker rainforest. Take a refreshing swim in the natural rock pools or walk through the forest and hear the Aboriginal legends that surround this magical place.
3. One of the Tablelands' most loved swimming spots. The clear waters of Josephine Falls glide over smooth boulders into a natural pool with a rock slide that guests come back for again and again.
4. A scenic lunch stop in the heart of the Tablelands. Enjoy your included picnic lunch of sandwiches and fruit platter in a beautiful rainforest setting.
5. A panoramic vantage point over the rolling hills and lush farmland of the Atherton Tablelands. One of the best photo stops of the day.
6. One of the most photographed waterfalls in Australia, a single-drop curtain of water into a clear pool surrounded by protected rainforest. Time to swim, relax, and take photos at Cairns' most iconic waterfall.
7. Your guide takes you through the heart of the Tablelands, rolling hills, ancient rainforest, and local towns. Commentary throughout covers the region's natural history, geology, and wildlife. Watch for tree kangaroos along the way.
8. A swim in one of Australia's most beautiful volcanic crater lakes. Lake Eacham's crystal-clear waters are surrounded by ancient rainforest and are home to turtles and freshwater fish you can see clearly from the surface.
9. Marvel at one of Australia's most remarkable living structures, a 500-year-old strangler fig with roots that have grown to form a cathedral-like chamber in the forest.
10. The highlight wildlife stop of the day. Wander along the rainforest creek at dusk and watch for wild platypus in their natural habitat, one of the most elusive and iconic animals in Australia. Sightings are not guaranteed but are a regular feature of this tour.
11. Wet Tropics Wonder: Immerse yourself in the heart of one of the most biodiverse regions on Earth. The Wet Tropics World Heritage Area is a living museum of natural history, home to ancient flora and rare wildlife. (The Region we visit throughout the day, not an actual location)
12. Drop off back in Cairns CBD.
Inclusion
Carbon-neutral tour - every adventure is carbon offset
Expert local guide
Small group experience - maximum 20 people
Water can be provided and there are water stations available along the route
All national park entrance fees and permits
Picnic lunch - sandwiches and fruit platter
Exclusion
Breakfast and dinner
Cancellation Policy
For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
Additional Info
Public transportation options are available nearby
Suitable for all physical fitness levels
Meeting point: Reef Fleet Terminal, Bus Bay #7, 1 Spence St, Cairns Marlin Marina, Cairns CBD
Look for the vibrant green or orange Barefoot Tours bus - arrive 15 minutes before departure
What to bring: towel, swimwear, comfortable shoes or sandals, sunglasses, hat, camera
Water can be provided and there are water stations available along the route
Pack a jumper or light jacket in winter months - temperatures in the Tablelands are cooler than Cairns
Wildlife sightings including platypus, cassowary, and tree kangaroos are common but not guaranteed
Itinerary is flexible and may vary based on weather and road conditions on the day
Minimum age 8 years
Reviews
4.9
Total reviews and rating from Viator & Tripadvisor
Explore other options
Balloons watching Tour w/ PickUp, Breakfast
Doi Inthanon National Park, Waterfall & Royal Project Day Tour From Chiang Mai
Electric scooter tour in the Valley of the Temples Agrigento
Tokyo: Daikoku JDM Car Meet & Night Car Culture Tour
Milton Keynes iFLY Indoor Skydiving Experience - 2 Flights & Certificate
Queenstown Wine Tour - Gibbston Valley Cave | Kinross | Amisfield
Sunrise Session - The #1 Paddleboard Tour On The Caribbean Sea
Arieiro Peak, Santana & Ponta São Lourenço in Open Roof 4X4 Tour
Shark Cage Diving - Adventure Meets Conservation!