From Cairns: Atherton Tablelands Wildlife & Waterfalls
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.
What's Included
- Carbon-neutral tour - every adventure is carbon offset
- Small group experience - maximum 20 people
- Water can be provided and there are water stations available along the route
- Pickup and drop-off from Cairns CBD (Reef Fleet Terminal, Bus Bay #7)
- All national park entrance fees and permits
- Picnic lunch - sandwiches and fruit platter
- Expert local guide
- Breakfast and dinner
Meeting and Pickup
Cairns City QLD 4870
Australia
Meeting point: Reef Fleet Terminal, Bus Bay #7, 1 Spence St, Cairns Marlin Marina, Cairns CBD Meeting time: 7:15 AM Or, arrange pick up at your accommodation in Cairns city.
Cairns City QLD 4870
Australia
Detailed check-in instructions, including the exact address, are provided with your booking confirmation.
This activity ends back at the meeting point.
Detailed check-in instructions, including the exact address, are provided with your booking confirmation.
What To Expect
Book Online
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Reef Fleet Terminal
10 minutes Admission Ticket Free
Babinda Boulders
45 minutes Admission Ticket Free
Josephine Falls
1 hour 30 minutes Admission Ticket Included
Mungalli Falls
45 minutes Admission Ticket Free
Millaa Millaa Lookout
10 minutes Admission Ticket Free
Millaa Millaa Falls
1 hour Admission Ticket Free
Atherton Tablelands
3 hours Admission Ticket Free
Lake Eacham Crater Lakes National Park
45 minutes Admission Ticket Included
Cathedral Fig Tree
15 minutes Admission Ticket Included
Yungaburra Platypus Viewing Platform
30 minutes Admission Ticket Free
Wet Tropics World Heritage Area (pass by)
Additional Info
- Confirmation is instant and will be received at time of booking
- 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 16 years
- This tour/activity will have a maximum of 20 travelers
Frequently Asked Questions (8)
Q: What is the cancellation policy for the From Cairns: Atherton Tablelands Wildlife & Waterfalls?
Cancellation Policy
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Activity code: C-7088ATHERTON
Traveler Photos
Reviews
Average 4.93 out of 5 stars based on 882 traveler reviews collected by Cool Shore Excursions and partner sites such as Cool Destinations and TripAdvisor
Additional Info
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Frequently Asked Questions (8)
The answers provided below were previously given in response to questions from Cool Shore Excursions customers.
Filter by:
- For a full refund, you must cancel at least 24 hours before the tour start time.
- If you cancel less than 24 hours before the tour start time, the amount you paid will not be refunded.
- Any changes made less than 24 hours before the tour start time will not be accepted.
- Cut-off times are based on the tour local time (AEST).
- This tour requires a minimum number of travelers. If it’s canceled because the minimum isn’t met, you’ll be offered a different date/experience or a full refund.
- Carbon-neutral tour - every adventure is carbon offset.
- Small group experience - maximum 20 people.
- Water can be provided and there are water stations available along the route.
- Pickup and drop-off from Cairns CBD (Reef Fleet Terminal, Bus Bay #7).
- All national park entrance fees and permits.
- Picnic lunch - sandwiches and fruit platter.
- Expert local guide.
- Breakfast and dinner.
This tour requires good weather. If it’s canceled due to poor weather, you’ll be offered a different date or a full refund.
Apr 2025The minimum age to participate is 16..
Apr 2025If a date or time is not listed on the calendar, it’s sold out or unavailable for another reason. Support cannot assist further if a date or time is not on the calendar.
If you find a date and time that works for you, book it NOW because things always sell out at this time of year.
Apr 2025Accessibility information for the From Cairns: Atherton Tablelands Wildlife & Waterfalls is as follows:
- Public transportation options are available nearby
- Suitable for all physical fitness levels
Detailed check-in instructions – including meeting point address, Google map, and parking information – for From Cairns: Atherton Tablelands Wildlife & Waterfalls will be included in your confirmation email from Cool Shore Excursions. Please be sure to double and triple check your email address is correct at checkout so this important email makes its way to you!
Mar 2024Once your refund is processed, it usually shows on your card statement within 5–10 business days. The exact timing depends on your bank or card issuer.
Want it sooner? When you cancel, choose Receive a refund to my wallet instead. The credit is in your Wallet straight away and is applied automatically at checkout on your next booking when you’re signed in with the same email. You can see your balance any time in My Wallet.
If you paid part of your booking with Wallet credit, that part always goes back to your Wallet. Trip protection isn’t refundable.
Oct 2026What's Included
- Carbon-neutral tour - every adventure is carbon offset
- Small group experience - maximum 20 people
- Water can be provided and there are water stations available along the route
- Pickup and drop-off from Cairns CBD (Reef Fleet Terminal, Bus Bay #7)
- All national park entrance fees and permits
- Picnic lunch - sandwiches and fruit platter
- Expert local guide
- Breakfast and dinner
Additional Info
- Confirmation is instant and will be received at time of booking
- 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 16 years
- This tour/activity will have a maximum of 20 travelers
