cairns rainforest tours: Tropical Horizons
Cairns Day Tours - Waterfalls, Wildlife and Paronella Park - Cairns Atherton Tablelands
Cairns and North Queensland is home to a plethora of majestic natural attractions that enthral travellers from the world over. The Southern Atherton Tablelands or Cairns Highlands is a spectacular rural region of Cairns Queensland that boasts natural attractions in abundance. Tropical Horizons Tours offers an eco-friendly full day scenic guided tour of the Cairns Highlands that showcases the very best of the region. The eco-friendly day tour begins with a scenic journey over the Gillies Range to the Southern area of the Cairns Tablelands. The scenery is awe-inspiring and ever changing. Travellers will witness lush tropical rainforest that melts into native Australian wilderness that gives way to vibrant green patchwork paddocks that are home to fat contented cows and all sorts of other livestock.
The Atherton Tablelands are renowned for its temperate climate, fertile agricultural land and abundance of natural attractions including waterfalls, rare ancient rainforests and freshwater volcanic crater lakes that are just perfect for swimming in. Heale's Lookout is the first stop for the day, and provides visitors the opportunity to stretch the legs, enjoy the fresh country air and admire the sweeping views of the mighty Mulgrave River Valley. The vastness of the Australian countryside is simply breathtaking. There is plenty of time to take photos and enjoy the scenery. All aboard the coach once again for a short journey through the Cairns Tablelands to the tropical volcanic oasis in the forest – Lake Barrine.
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| Sun, 05 Feb | Mon, 06 Feb | Tue, 07 Feb | Wed, 08 Feb | Thu, 09 Feb | Fri, 10 Feb | Sat, 11 Feb | Sun, 12 Feb | ||
| 5 - Waterfalls and Paronella Park | $155.00 | $155.00 | $155.00 | $155.00 | $155.00 | $155.00 | $155.00 | $155.00 | |
Lake Barrine
Lake Barrine is a calm water Volcanic Crater Lake surrounded by world heritage listed rainforest. The forest and lake is home to an abundance of native Australian wildlife including over 120 species of forest birds, pythons, musky rat kangaroos, saw-shelled turtles and eastern water dragons and lot's of friendly little ducks. Lake Barrine boasts a quaint 80 year old plus heritage Tea House, nestled amongst charming county-style gardens, that serves the most delectable Devonshire Tea. Guests can relax on the upper level of the large timber veranda that overlooks the sapphire waters of the lake while enjoying freshly baked scones, homemade jams and cream. The ducks squabbling for tid bits amongst the water lilies and reeds provides comical entertainment for guests while enjoying morning tea.
After a delicious and relaxing morning tea at the elegant Lake Barrine Tea House, guests embark on a tranquil 45 minute Wildlife Cruise around the outer brim of the Lake Barrine Volcanic Crater Lake. The lush green forest and calm lake waters provides the ideal location for a cruise. The informative tour guide highlights unique points of interest and the river cruise provides guests serene enjoyment of the unique natural environment. Here you will learn how the lakes eales leave the lake and travel thousands of miles out to sea to a trench to mate bare offspring and then die. The little turtles you see in the volcanoe crater does the same on an epic journey all the way to Adelaide in South Australia. You will see snakes and birds and butterflies and lot's more wildlife on this early morning tour of the Lake Barrine Crater Lake. After disembarking the boat, visitors are led on a short rainforest walk to view the giants of the forest – two 1,000 year old twin Kauri Pine Trees, these are some of the last remaining trees that were nearly wiped out with over logging of rainforests. Back aboard the comfortable coach, guests will enjoy the short journey to the next location – the quaint rural Village of Yungaburra.
Yungaburra Village Atherton Tablelands
The historic Village of Yungaburra is a quaint rural Queensland township surrounded by lush forest and picture perfect agricultural paddocks. As the coach travels through the narrow Village streets visitors can enjoy the heritage architecture and Village atmosphere that has changed very little since Colonial settlement. The waterways of Yungaburra provide the perfect opportunity for platypus spotting, and the Tropical Horizons Eco-Tour has incorporated this activity into the Cairns Atherton Tablelands tour. Platypus are prevalent throughout the region and are regularly spotted if you are stealthfully quiet swimming in the crystal clear pure freshwater creeks in and around the Village. Platypus are elusive creatures and spotting them in their natural habitat can at times be difficult, however the Tropical Horizons Tour Guide more often than not knows how to locate these unusual native Australian animals. After admiring the platypus all aboard the bus again – the next stop on the eco-friendly day tour is the Curtain Fig Tree.
Curtain Fig Tree
The Curtain Fig Tree is nestled amongst lush ancient Mabi forest, home to the elusive and highly endangered Lumholtz tree kangaroo. The Curtain Fig Tree is a giant of the jungle, standing at over 50m tall with a trunk circumference of 39m. At over 500 years old the Curtain Fig Tree exudes a unique and antiquated presence nestled in the lush Australian forest. The Curtain Fig Tree derives its name from its enormous aerial root system that falls in a distinctive and unusual curtain formation. The Curtain Fig Tree is an absolute natural marvel that attracts thousands of tourists yearly.
To view the Curtain Fig guests traverse an elevated boardwalk, an easy ten minute walk into the forest. The Curtain Fig Tree National Park is home to a unique collection of deciduous and semi ever-green trees which allow an abundance of natural light to penetrate the forest floor providing a unique and lush forest understorey. Guests can listen to the rustle of birds in the trees and if lucky enough will spot a Lumhotlz tree kangaroo relaxing on a tree branch in the canopy of the forest. Other wildlife is often spotted at the Curtain Fig Tree National Park such as a variety of forest birds, possums and musky-rat kangaroos. After enjoying the Curtain Fig Tree and National Park guests reboard the comfortable coach tour for the next leg of the eco-friendly journey.
Atherton Tablelands Waterfall Circuit
The day journey through the Southern Cairns Tablelands proceeds through the quaint rural township of Malanda. Malanda is renowned for being one of the wettest townships on the Cairns Tablelands, producing the most vibrant natural scenery, lush undulating hills and a myriad of crystal clear water holes and waterfalls. As the day tour coach journeys through the historic township, visitors are treated to an overview of the history of the area. Malanda is home to the world's largest dairy factory, and Australia's oldest operating picture theatre. Visitors should keep their eyes peeled for the cheeky scrub turkeys that rustle amongst the foliage on the forest floor. The waterfall circuit just outside of Malanda is a favourite of the locals and provides the ideal opportunity for a cool and refreshing swim in the pristine freshwater swimming holes.
The Millaa Millaa, Zillie, Ellinjaa, and Mungalli waterfalls are unique rainforest pockets in the heart of the Cairns Tablelands that emerge like an oasis out of the agricultural paddocks and native Australian bushland. The waterfalls are surrounded by lush tropical rainforest that is home to a variety of endemic rainforest creatures. The water is cool and fresh, and there is simply nothing like swimming in the pristine water under the cascading waters of the falls. It is recommended that visitors bring swim wear and towels on the Tropical Horizons Eco-friendly day tour to take advantage of the natural freshwater rockpools. After swimming, visitors are often ready for a snack and refreshments, so all aboard the bus – next stop Mungalli Dairy.
Mungalli Creek Organic Dairy Farm
The short journey from the waterfall circuit to Mungalli Creek Organic Dairy is one of the most scenic of the day. The coach travels the highway for some time before veering off onto a narrow county track. This track snakes through acres of lush green dairy farms and undulating hills. Often the coach is delayed by the crossing of herds of contented dairy cows. The coach tour journeys through the small township of Mungalli, over a bridge crossing and finally arrives at its destination – Mungalli Creek Organic Dairy Farm. Mungalli Creek Dairy boasts a charming Tea House nestled amongst acres of dairy farm – the 'Out of the Whey Teahouse'. Here visitors are able to taste gourmet organic cheeses and thick and creamy organic rainforest yoghurts. The Teahouse features a large timber outdoor deck which provides sweeping views of the delightful countryside and world heritage vistas of Johnstone River Gorge.
There is plenty of time for visitors to browse through the dairy and purchase some of the tasty organic cheeses, creams or yoghurts. The Tropical Horizons coach contains a large esky for any purchases made. After enjoying light refreshments at Mungalli Creek Dairy its time for lunch. All aboard the bus once more
Lunch
Lunch is served in a private outdoor gazebo that is perched atop Mungalli Falls. Guests enjoy a sumptuous two course meal created from the finest regional produce. The menu changes seasonally, ensuring only the freshest and finest foods are used. The location of the Gazebo is truly spectacular, and seems to simply hover over the cascading waters of the falls. After the sumptuous country lunch, visitors have the opportunity to meander along the banks of the river and admire the sensational countryside. After everyone is satisfied and happy its back aboard the bus – the next destination day tour location awaits.
Paronella Park
Travelling along the Palmerston Highway toward Paronella Park provides guests ample opportunity to relax after lunch. There is a short stop at Crawford's Lookout, which offers sweeping views of glorious Johnstone River Valley. The journey continues through the Southern Cairns Highlands until the next destination is reached – Paronella Park. Paronella Park is spectacular and unique, boasting Spanish Castle ruins, glorious gardens, cascading waterfalls and lush tropical rainforest. Visitors are taken on a 45 minute 'Dream Continues' tour through the park. The guided tour of Paronella Park includes the history of the park and its creator – Jose Paronella, an overview of the unique architecture and some nature spotting.
The tour begins at the Paronella Park Spanish Castle ruins and heritage cottage and moves down into the lower section of the park which boasts the ruins of Café by the Pool, the Tunnel of Love and Teresa Falls. The 45 minute tour meanders through the numerous pathways designed in a 'five ways' pattern, over stone bridges and through secret gardens. At the conclusion of the 'Dream Continues' tour guests are free to enjoy the Paronella Park at their leisure. Mena Falls and Creek provide the perfect location for a refreshing swim, or afternoon tea can be enjoyed in the café. The café boasts a sensational outdoor deck that overlooks the Spanish Castle ruins, heritage cottage and vibrant tropical gardens. There is plenty of time to explore more of the park. Visitors who feel intrepid can journey through the bamboo forest which opens onto the shores of a lake. The lake is home to turtles, fish and eels that enjoy being fed by visitors! Watch out for the bush turkeys that scuttle around in thick bamboo forest. Afterwards enjoying Jose Paronella's commercial pleasure gardens and Spanish Castle ruins its time to board the bus once again for the remainder of the Paronella Park and Waterfalls eco-tour.
Innisfail
The last leg of the Tropical Horizons Cairns Tablelands Waterfalls and Paronella Park day tour is a scenic drive through the historic township of Innisfail. Your day tour coach guide offers insights into the history of the Innisfail Township while taking a scenic journey along the shoreline of the mighty Johnstone River. Innisfail is renowned for its sugar and banana plantations, and the journey through Innisfail showcases these unique and distinctive agricultural farmlands.
The return coach journey to Cairns is delightful. The warm tropical day begins to fade, and the sun begins setting behind the vast forest-clad mountain ranges that surround Cairns. Guests are often relaxed and happy after a full day of adventuring on the Southern Cairns Highlands and Atherton Tablleands. The coach returns to Cairns at approximately 6:30 in the evening and drops guests at their hotel accommodation.
Cairns Day Tour Features
- Lake Barrine Volcanoe Crater–rainforest wildlife cruise, the majestic Kauri Pines nestled in the forest and a Devonshire tea at heritage Tea Rooms.
- Giant Curtain Fig tree in the rainforest
- Possible Platypus spotting and wildlife viewing
- Complete Waterfalls Circuit - Millaa Millaa, Zillie, Ellinjaa and Mungalli Falls
- Mungalli Creek Organic/Bio-dynamic Dairy
- Excellent 2 course restaurant lunch - beside Mungalli Falls!
- Scenic lookouts - Crawford's Lookout, Beatrice River and Johnstone River Gorge
- World Heritage Rainforests
- Paronella Park Heritage Gardens - private, leisurely guided tour and free time - view museum, feed the fish and turtles and admire the Mena Creek Falls - old Hydro-Electric Generating Plant
- Historic Innisfail Township
- Small group, luxury air-conditioned coach
- Complimentary Cairns and northern beaches accommodation pick-up and return
Cairns Day Tour Times
Tropical Horizons Day Tour departs Cairns at 7:30am and returns at 6:30pm.
The Tour Specialists tip:
Make sure your camera is loaded and you had a good sleep the night before. A great Cairns day tour for those that want to see the highlights of the beautiful southern Cairns region in only one day. This is a big favourite with us and our guests that do not want to drive themselves and wast time trying to find all of these wonderful Cairns attractions. Definitely not an option for very small children.
| Current Prices | |||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sun, 05 Feb | Mon, 06 Feb | Tue, 07 Feb | Wed, 08 Feb | Thu, 09 Feb | Fri, 10 Feb | Sat, 11 Feb | Sun, 12 Feb | ||
| 5 - Waterfalls and Paronella Park | $155.00 | $155.00 | $155.00 | $155.00 | $155.00 | $155.00 | $155.00 | $155.00 | |
