Paronella Park and Millaa Millaa Falls Full-day Tour from Cairns
Description
Our tour was established in 1997 and is the Original Tablelands-Paronella Park tour. Travel in a comfortable air-conditioned mini coach with local naturalist guides and experience the uniqueness of the tropics and the diversity of our beautiful tropical rainforests. Tour south of Cairns for a full day out traveling through the magnificent World Heritage Wet Tropics Rainforests of Wooroonooran National Park, swimming in waterfalls, traveling through the Atherton Tablelands, viewing Volcano’s and visiting local must see attractions such as Millaa Millaa Falls, Lake Barrine, Curtain Fig Tree, extended touring time at Paronella Park and much more.
Tour Options
Itinerary
Departure from Cairns, we head south travelling past Walsh’s Pyramid, one of the largest naturally formed pyramids in the world. Here your guide will stop so you can grab a photo of this unique North Queensland landmark. Now it’s time to travel up the World Heritage listed Gillies Highway climbing 730 metres above sea level whilst enjoying the breathtaking views over the Goldsbourgh Valley. Just before the top of the amazing Gillies Range is a short photo opportunity at the Heales Lookout before heading into the gorgeous Atherton Tablelands.
Enjoy a relaxing quiet stop in the cool of the morning at beautiful Lake Barrine (crater lake) filled with pristine rain water and surrounded by World Heritage listed rainforest teeming with abundant wildlife. This is the first stop of the day and includes a delicious morning tea. Lake Barrine are famous for their award winning ‘Devonshire Morning Tea’ of freshly baked scones and jam/cream and locally brewed tea or coffee.
After leaving Lake Barrine, we take a short journey through quaint country towns and farming areas to visit an unusual quirk of nature – the 600 year old Curtain Fig Tree nestled in World Heritage Mabi rainforest. This is the worlds most visited tree and easily accessible via elevated boardwalks. The surrounding rainforest is home to the shy Lumholtz Tree Kangaroo – only found in Queensland. We spot them seasonally high up in the trees.
After departing the Curtain Fig Tree, we travel through picturesque farming areas and country villages to visit world famous Millaa Millaa Falls, one of the most renowned and photographed waterfalls in Australia surrounded by Mabi rainforest. This waterfall has been used as a feature in both television advertisements and movies. The waterfall flows over solid volcanic basalt rock formed over many thousands of years ago giving the perfect drop for Millaa Millaa creek to fall for approx 20 metres into a pool surrounded by rainforest.
We then stop for an à la carte lunch at a traditional Queensland pub.
In the cool of the afternoon we visit amazing Paronella Park’s Spanish style castles in the rainforest. This includes a 45 minute tour expertly conducted by Paronella Park’s own knowledgeable English, Chinese & Japanese speaking guides. Paronella Park is a multi award winning tourist attraction with National Trust listed Heritage gardens and castle ruins, also boasting North Queensland’s first hydro-electric power plant all built by Jose Paronella at Mena Creek Falls. Originally created in the 1930’s by Jose Paronella, a man with a dream.
Enjoy a short drive through this interesting country town, with many buildings of the Art Deco Era
If time permits, stop at Babinda Boulders to relax among the stunning granite rock formations and enjoy the crystal-clear freshwater pools surrounded by lush rainforest.
Highlights
What's included
Pickup Locations & Times
DEPARTING FROM CAIRNS OPTION: This tour operates daily with pickups from Cairns from 7.15am The starting time is NOT the same as the pickup time. Discovery Tours Australia signage will be displayed on the vehicle. Please be ready at your pickup point 5 minutes before your scheduled time. Please be ready at your designated pickup location on time. As we service multiple locations across Cairns CBD, please allow a 15 minute pickup window. If your guide is not there exactly at the scheduled time, there’s no need to worry - they are on their way. Please contact us if you cannot find your pickup location. DEPARTING FROM NORTHERN BEACHES OPTION: Pickups start from Palm Cove at 6.45am The starting time is NOT the same as the pickup time. Discovery Tours Australia signage will be displayed on the vehicle. Please be ready at your pickup point 5 minutes before your scheduled time. Northern Beaches pickups include a return shuttle transfer to Cairns CBD, where the main tour departs. You will be collected by an International Coaches shuttle bus to meet your tour bus and guide. Please be ready at your designated pickup location on time. Allow a 15 minute pickup window as travel times can vary. If your guide is slightly delayed, they are on their way. Please contact us if you cannot find your pickup location.
Traveller Ratings
Important Information
- Infants and small children can ride in a pram or stroller
- Specialized infant seats are available
- Not recommended for travelers with poor cardiovascular health
- Suitable for all physical fitness levels
Reviews(56)
Well organised, great guides and safe driving. All places visted were amazing. One of my favourite tours.
Beautiful stops and really nice food. Steve is the born guide. Interesting and funny content/storys throughout the day.
Our guide John made the tour absolutely the best. We had so much fun. We learned so much and saw even more. Paronella was amazing, the staff there was so kind and excited to share their park with us. Everything was so scenic everywhere we went, it was one of the best tours we went on during our trip.
Excellent tour. Super friendly bus driver with a lot of knowledge. Steve is definitely an asset to his organisation. I would do this tour again and I do recommend it to anyone.
Highly recommend this tour. It’s a very full day but it’s a great way to see so many amazing places. Would have loved to have more time at Paronella Park, it’s such a beautiful place and there wasn’t much time to explore after the guided tour (which was super informative and worthwhile). Our guide was very knowledgeable about the places we visited
From a delightful welcome on arrival to the moment we left be were blessed. Exquisite staff and an excellent guide our eyes and senses were feasting. Phenomenal to walk among the ruins that are so perfectly preserved. Wandering such a place is truly a treat and a mist see when in FNQ. Highly recommend spending a few hours exploring and enjoying. The owners passion to ensure a splendid visit is clearly visible at every turn. We will definitely be back
The tour guide, Jeremy was great. Explained quite a lot about the local area. The tour included morning tea at Barrine Lake which was nice, great pub lunch near Paronella park and then the park itself is spectacular. Great way to see the tablelands.
We had a great day! Visited some beautiful places. Our guide Jeremy was very knowledgeable and friendly. This made the day even more enjoyable. The vehicle was comfortable and cool too. Thank you very much!
Would highly recommend this tour company to anyone visiting Cairns, our tour guide Steve was amazing and knowledgeable and was super funny and kind and even made a couple extra stops with some breathtaking views! Was the perfect cherry on top on our visit.
It's amazing. The 3 beautiful waterfalls are breathtaking. The Paronella Park is magnificent and the tourist guider Scott is very knowledgeable about the area and fun to have.
