Taste of the Tablelands

A full interpretive tour showcasing some of Atherton Tablelands’ finest produce and farms tasting a range of fine chocolates, cheeses, coffee, fruit, premium spirits and liqueurs. Enjoy the cooler climate of this scenic plateau of landscapes, mountain ranges, waterfalls and unique volcanic crater lakes. A fun-packed day with tastings, photography opportunities, bird watching, wildlife interactions and swimming in waterfalls and crater lakes.

The day begins by picking you up from your accommodation in Cairns or Northern Beaches; we begin our journey to Kuranda Village, taking a scenic route of the village to the rainforest canopy walk to view the spectacular Barron Falls Gorge. Leaving the Rainforest for the Savannah, we arrive at Skybury Plantation for morning tea and our first tasting of Coffee and Papayu.  Enjoy fresh scones and a cup of Skybury coffee on the outside deck overlooking the savannah backdrop. Explore the venue and learn about the coffee roasting and papaya plantation, you may even want to purchase some coffee beans or other produce to take home.

Our next stop is Granite Gorge, the opportunity to hand feed the adorable rare Unadorned Rock Wallabies. Interact with native wildlife, explore the unique granite boulder formations and admire the stunning savannah views of the Mareeba landscapes.

We stop at Mt. Uncle Distillery, where you can taste Far North Queensland’s finest spirits and liquors. Learn about local ingredients in distilling botanical gins, rum, vodkas and liqueurs. Explore the grounds surrounded by fruit trees and marvel at the menagerie of farm animals.

Continuing our scenic drive into the Tablelands to the Upper Barron, we arrive at Gallos Dairyland, a fully operational dairy farm, a gourmet cheese factory, a cafe restaurant, and hand-crafted chocolates. During this hour, we enjoy the friendly hospitality of the staff serving a light lunch, a range of Gallo’s cheeses, and fine chocolates for tasting. Discover how cheese and chocolates are made and explore the retail outlet.

The afternoon we traverse through the green-rich landscapes learning the natural beauty and wonders of the tablelands. We stop at the ancient old Curtain Fig Tree and the extinct volcanic Bromfield Crater, these areas offering fantastic photography and bird-watching opportunities. Travelling through the historic pioneer dairy town of Malanda, your guide will share some rich history and culture you see when passing the Malanda Falls Conservation Park, Queensland’s largest original timber pub and the majestic heritage listed picture theatre. Passing the Narada Tea Farm onto Lynches Crater, we go to the most photographed waterfall, the famous Millaa Millaa Falls. The views don’t get much better through the upper Tablelands, a backdrop of mountain ranges including Queensland’s’ Highest Mountain, Bartle Frere. 

The magnificent Crater Lakes National Park is our last destination for the day, a unique experience to immerse in the tranquil surroundings of lush rainforests and an array of birdlife.  Enjoy afternoon refreshments, a swim or a nature walk, and pursue your photographic interests, a perfect ending to the taste of the Tablelands.  

Departing we drive down the Gillies range back toward Gordonvale, passing Walshs Pyramid and arriving back in Cairns at approximately 6 pm.