Day Tour
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Atherton Tablelands Waterfall Day Tour with Lunch from Cairns

(14 Reviews)
  • Departs from Cairns
  • 10 hours

 

Highlights

  • Visit the ancient Cathedral Fig Tree and swim in the volcanic Lake Eacham crater lake
  • Discover the iconic Millaa Millaa Falls, Josephine Falls, and their refreshing natural pools
  • Learn Indigenous stories at Babinda Boulders and enjoy a full day with meals and hotel transfers

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What to expect

Leave Cairns behind for a day of rainforest swimming, crater lakes and some of Far North Queensland’s most beautiful waterfalls. Stand beneath a 500-year-old fig tree, cool off in Lake Eacham, swim below Millaa Millaa Falls and take on the natural rock slide at Josephine Falls, with transfers, tea breaks and a buffet lunch included.

Depending on where you are staying, pickups begin from around 6.45am, with Cairns City collections generally around 7.30am. Settle into the air-conditioned coach as the coast gives way to the cooler highlands and dense Wet Tropics rainforest. At the Cathedral Fig Tree, meet Traditional Owners, descendants of the Yidinji and Mbabaram peoples, for stories, cultural knowledge and a closer look at the tools and traditions connected to Country. The tree itself is an extraordinary sight, with tangled roots and branches reaching into the canopy around 50 metres above the forest floor.

The rest of the day moves between clear freshwater and lush rainforest scenery. Swim in the volcanic crater lake at Lake Eacham, enjoy a buffet lunch surrounded by Tablelands views, and stop at Millaa Millaa Falls, where white water drops through a curtain of tree ferns into a natural pool. Mungalli Falls adds another peaceful cascade to the day.

At Josephine Falls, a short rainforest walk leads to smooth granite boulders and the natural rock slide, one of the most fun moments of the tour when conditions are suitable. Babinda Boulders brings together another beautiful swimming area with Yidinji stories connected to this special place beneath Queensland’s highest mountain.

If the day’s timing allows, the guide may also stop at Peterson Creek for a chance to spot platypus. The route and swimming stops are adjusted to suit local road, weather and water conditions, helping the guide make the most of the day. The tour returns to Cairns at around 5.30pm.

Highlighted reviews from other travelers

★★★★★

C
Caron

2 July 2025

A great day out, Dan was very chilled and helpful. I’d recommend to anyone wanting a day out. The waterfalls are amazing.

★★★★★

H
Helen

12 Aug 2025

Clint was great as a guide very informative ! Day was jam packed but well paced. Really enjoyed it overall. Food was nice and snacks were provided which was a bonus.

What you need to know

Included in your tour

  • Pickup and drop-off from Cairns City and Northern Beaches
  • Travel guide
  • Morning tea and lunch
  • Roundtrip transportation

Extra

  • Snacks and drinks

Time and Departure Location

Return transfers are included from selected Cairns hotels/locations. Please check availability to see pick-up points.

Check availability to see starting times.

Important Information

Not allowed

  • Pets
  • Luggage or large bags

Know before you go

  • Feel free to bring along your swimwear, sunscreen, a hat, a towel and a camera to snap some pics along the way. Additionally, water and snacks for the bus ride.
  • It is recommended to bring a hoodie or long sleeve, as it can get cold up in the mountains.

Not suitable for

  • Wheelchair users

What To Bring

  • Comfortable shoes
  • Swimwear
  • Towel
  • Sunscreen

Cancellation Policy

  • A full refund will be offered for customer-requested cancellations made up to 6 days prior to travel. Cancellations made within 5 days of travel will incur a 100% cancellation fee, including no-shows.
  • Should supplier be required to cancel or the operation of the tour for any reason, including on the rare occasions due to inclement weather, an alternative date or itinerary will be offered to the passenger. If the alternative date or itinerary cannot be arranged or agreed upon, a full refund will be authorised. If the passenger accepts the alternative date or itinerary, no refunds will be issued.
  • Please note that credit card processing fees paid at the time of booking are non-refundable.
  • Tour itinerary may be subject to change without notice due to weather conditions or operational requirements.
  • Availability was accurate at the time of booking however, is subject to change due to circumstances out of our control
  • Mobile Vouchers are accepted! – Vouchers can also be presented on your mobile device for this attraction

Frequently asked questions

 Can I swim during the tour?

Yes. Freshwater swimming is one of the highlights of the day, with opportunities at selected lakes and waterfall pools when conditions are suitable. Follow your guide’s instructions and use the designated swimming areas. Swimming is optional, so you can still enjoy the rainforest scenery, waterfalls and lookouts without entering the water.

 Can I use the natural rock slide at Josephine Falls?

When water levels and conditions are suitable, yes. The smooth granite slide is one of the most enjoyable parts of the Josephine Falls stop, and your guide will explain where and how to enter the water safely. You can also enjoy the pools and surrounding rainforest without using the slide.

 How much walking is involved?

Allow for approximately 3.5 kilometres of walking throughout the day. Most walks are short and gentle, although reaching Josephine Falls involves a sealed rainforest path of around 700 metres each way. The tour suits most guests with a low to moderate level of fitness.

 Is this tour suitable for children and families?

Yes. Guests of all ages are welcome, and the mix of waterfalls, swimming, rainforest scenery and coach breaks makes it an enjoyable family day out. Children need to remain under appropriate adult supervision, and families should be comfortable with a full-day experience lasting around 10 hours.

 Is food included and can dietary requirements be accommodated?

A buffet lunch and light morning and afternoon tea are included. Vegetarian and vegan options are available. After booking, please contact us with any dietary requirements.

 What happens if it rains?

The tour operates in most weather, and light tropical rain can make the rainforest feel even more atmospheric and bring extra life to the waterfalls. The guide can adjust the route and swimming stops to suit the conditions. If extreme weather makes the journey unsafe, alternative arrangements will be offered.

 Will there be a chance to see platypus?

If the day’s timing allows, the guide may stop at the Peterson Creek viewing platform for a chance to look for platypus. They live freely in the creek, so a sighting is an exciting extra alongside the day’s main waterfall, lake and rainforest experiences.

14 Reviews
Sort By:RatingDate

Jess

Group Traveller

Couldn’t have asked for a better day, our guide Esther was awesome, so fun, great energy and knowledgeable, weather definitely was on our side.

July 15, 2025

Ally

Group Traveller

We had a great time. The bus was really nice and the tour guide was great! Super cool spots to see and we had a good amount of time to enjoy them.

July 10, 2025

Rafaela

Group Traveller

This Trip was amazing. I loved it. Thank you so much

June 29, 2025

Jayna

Group Traveller

It was amazing, the guide was fantastic, made the journey so enjoyable and fun, and all of the visits to the waterfalls and the swim spots were perfect. Well worth it

June 23, 2025

Ellen

Group Traveller

Great trip. We traveled in the most comfortable mini coach-about 20 of us. This is important as you up are in it for 4-5 hours as we travelled from place to place. Gavin, our guide was knowledgeable and passionate about the Tablelands and he had the most amazing playlist. We made stops at 4 areas to swim. I would recommend bringing flip flops as we only had sneakers. Sneakers are good for the walking portions. Bring water as none is provided. Lunch was decent- lasagna. We made a special stop where we could buy the most amazing meat pies. We kept ours and had them for dinner

June 17, 2025
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