National Parks & Walking Tracks of the Wet Tropics on the Atherton Tablelands and Cairns Highlands
The Atherton Tablelands and Cairns Highlands are unique in the diversity of habitat and environments that can be experienced. Walking Tracks through National Parks, State Forests and Reserves which are part of the Great Tropical Drive provide access for all levels of fitness and physical capabilities.
Many spectacular National Parks and State Forests of the Atherton Tablelands are within an easy drive from Grandview. We can provide our guests with information on walks within most of the National Parks in the surrounding area. We can also provide identification books and binoculars to complete your rainforest experience.
Curtain Fig Tree
(15 minutes from Grandview)
The Curtain Fig Tree near Yungaburra is a must see on a visit to the Atherton Tablelands. A raised boardwalk provides good wheelchair access and excellent viewing of the tree. The aerial roots drop 15 metres to the ground creating a spectacular “curtain” effect.
Cathederal Fig Tree
(35 minutes from Grandview)
The Cathederal Fig Tree is another wonderful example of a strangler fig tree. A good graded path through the World Heritage listed rainforest allows easy access for all levels of fitness. There is a boardwalk around the tree.
Lake Barrine National Park — Circuit Trail
(25 minutes from Grandview)
Lake Barrine is the largest of the Crater Lakes on the Cairns Highlands. This picturesque, tranquil lake is next to the Gillies Highway about 8 kilometres north east of Yungaburra.. The first 80m section of the walk is an asphalt path, suitable for wheelchairs. This path leads to two enormous Kauri pines that are believed to be over 1,000 years old. The circuit track is 6 kilometres and will take approximately 2 hours and requires only a moderate level of fitness. The circuit path offers serene views across the lakes and plenty of wildlife on view. Water birds abound and you may see fish and turtles in the lake.
Lake Eacham National Park — Circuit Trail
(20 minutes from Grandview)
Lake Eacham, like Lake Barrine, is a volcanic crater lake known as a maar. It supports several type of upland rainforest and a wide range of flora and fauna. There are several viewing platforms to see the fish and turtles in the lake. The circuit walk is 3 kilometres around the lake on a well formed path. The views across the lake are spectacular and the atmosphere serene. The walk will take about 1 hour and requires only a moderate level of fitness. There are excellent facilities for picnics and swimming provided by National Parks.
Mount Hypipamee National Park (The Crater and Dinner Falls)
(25 minutes from Grandview)
Mount Hypipamee Crater was formed by an explosive eruption of volcanic gases which blasted through solid granite. Angular blocks of granite as large as refrigerators can be found in the surrounding rainforest. The Crater has sheer granite walls rising 58 metres above the lake which is 82 metres deep. An easy 400 metre bitumen walking track leads through the rainforest to a viewing platform above the crater. From here you can continue on with the Dinner Falls Circuit. The walk zigzags down the hillside to Dinner Falls, a series of cascades in the Barron River, accessible from the track. A small cement weir forms a reasonably deep pool, a pleasant place for walkers to relax on a hot day. The walk takes about 30 minutes and requires moderate fitness.
Malanda Falls Conservation Park
(10 minutes from Grandview)
The Malanda Falls Rainforest Walk offers 2 short 1 kilometre walks through a small patch of towering rainforest. It is especially worthwhile if you do the walk with a local Aboriginal guide and learn about the Aboriginal history, flora and fauna of the Malanda Region. Part of the track is sealed for the first 100metres offering wheelchair access to the turtle and platypus viewing platform. The walks take approximately 20 minutes each and require a minimal fitness level.
Danbulla State Forest
(30 minutes from Grandview)
The Danbulla Forest Drive is a 28 kilometre drive around Lake Tinaroo offering beautiful scenery and local history combined with many bushwalking opportunities. Built in 1959, Lake Tinaroo was the first large irrigation dam in Queensland. Some of the walking tracks along this drive include Kauri Creek Circuit, Robson’s Track from Gillies Lookout, Lake Euramoo Crater Circuit, Mobo Creek Crater and Torpedo Bay Circuit. The walking tracks range from 15 minutes to 3 hours and require from minimal to moderate fitness levels.
Wooroonooran National Park — Palmerston Section
(35 minutes from Grandview)
The Wooroonooran National Park is an integral part of the Wet Tropics World Heritage Area. Its fertile soils and extremely wet climate have fostered some of the oldest continually surviving rainforests on earth. Some of the walking tracks of the Wooroonooran National Park include Tchupala & Wallicha Falls, Nandroya Falls, and Crawfords Lookout comprising the North Johnstone River Lookout and River Walk. The walking tracks range from 2 to 3 hours and all require a moderate level of fitness.
Mount Bartle Frere
(40 minutes from Grandview)
Queensland’s tallest mountain, Mount Bartle Frere lies on the eastern edge of the Atherton Tableland, towering 700 metres above the tableland and 1622 metres above sea level. The annual rainfall for the area is about 7 metres, cloud often reduces visibility to less than 10 metres and the mountain is subject to extreme changes of weather conditions. This walk should not be attempted unless you are an experienced bushwalker or are with an experienced guide as the walk will often take 1-2 days and requires a high fitness level.
Misty Mountains Trails
(50 minutes from Grandview)
Stunning waterfalls, spectacular rainforest, crystal clear creeks and magnificent vistas are just the beginning. Misty Mountains is Australia's first network of long distance walking trails in a high altitude rainforest environment. Over 130 kilometres of tracks have been constructed under a unique partnership between the shires of Eacham, Herberton, Cardwell and Johnstone, Queensland Parks and Wildlife Service (QPWS), Traditional Owners, and volunteers from Conservation Volunteers Australia.
Jirrbal and Ma:mu Aboriginal people are the traditional owners of the Misty Mountains. Several of the Misty Mountain walking tracks follow the ridgelines traditionally used by the traditional owners to connect ‘yabulmbara’, the coastal plain, to ‘gambilbara’, the rocky country of the tablelands.
Highlights of Misty Mountains include stunning views of Elizabeth Grant Falls and Cannabullen Falls, short walks to secluded fresh water creeks and extended walks through some of North Queensland’s most pristine rainforest.
Mareeba Tropical Savanna and Wetland Reserve
(50-70 minutes from Grandview)
The Mareeba Tropical Savanna and Wetland Reserve is a 2000 hectare wildlife reserve which includes 120 hectares of open freshwater lagoons. There is a seasonal closure during the Wet Season. During the Dry Season the Visitor’s Centre is open daily. From here you can explore the sanctuary through a series of self-guided walks or visitors can take a guided tour.
Granite Gorge
(50 minutes from Grandview)
Granite Gorge lies between Mareeba and Atherton and is a great place to see rock wallabies throughout the day. Granite Creek has carved a path through the relatively flat farmland and eucalypt scrub to create the spectacular peaks and gullies that form Granite Gorge. A 2.5 kilometre walking trail takes you through numerous small rock pools amongst the boulders along the meandering creek. An entry fee of $5 per person or $10 for family applies.
*Information taken from the following sources:
Tropical Walking Tracks — Atherton Tablelands.
Kym Dungey & Jane Whytlaw. Footloose Publications.
Wet Tropics Things to Do Fact Sheets.
Misty Mountains Web Site.
EPA/QPWS web site.
