Tours/Cairns and the Tropical North/From Cairns: Atherton Tablelands Wildlife & Waterfalls
From Cairns: Atherton Tablelands Wildlife & Waterfalls
4.9(906)Cairns and the Tropical North10 hours
VIATOR4.7(83)TRIPADVISOR4.9(823)
+12 photos
At a glance
Duration
10 hours
Price from
$163 / person
Location
Cairns and the Tropical North
Rating
4.9 / 5 · 906 reviews
Languages
EN
Group
Small group, up to 20
Cancellation
Free cancellation up to 24 hours before
Confirmation
Instant
Ticket
Mobile or paper ticket accepted
Operator
Barefoot Tours
Meeting point
Our vibrant green or Orange bus with the Barefoot Tours logo awaits you 15 minutes before your scheduled time at the Reef Fleet Terminal, Bus Bay #7, 1 Spence St., Cairns Marlin Marina, Cairns CBD.Or your please arrange pick up at your accomodation in Cairns city.
Description
The Atherton Tablelands holds ancient rainforests, volcanic crater lakes, and wildlife found nowhere else on Earth. This is the best way to spend a full day in it.
Departing Cairns, your small group heads into World Heritage-listed rainforest for a day of swimming, exploring, and wildlife watching. Slide down natural rock chutes at Josephine Falls, swim beneath Millaa Millaa Falls, cool off in volcanic Lake Eacham, and stand beneath the 500-year-old Cathedral Fig. Watch for platypus, cassowary, tree kangaroos, and turtles. Sightings are a regular part of the day.
Your guide is local and genuinely passionate. They will point out wildlife you would walk straight past and adapt the pace to your group. Maximum 20 guests, so every stop gets proper time.
Picnic lunch, entrance fees, national park permits, and return Cairns transfers included. Certified carbon-neutral. Fully accredited Queensland operator.
Schedule & prices
Runs
Every day
Start times
7:30 AM
Next available
Mon, Oct 12
Adult (ages 8+)
$163
In demand: 8 of the next 30 departures are already sold out.
From the operator’s live schedule on Viator, checked Oct 11.
Tour Options
From Cairns: Atherton Tablelands Wildlife & Waterfalls
Pickup included
Itinerary
10 min
Meet the Barefoot Tours bus at Reef Fleet Terminal, Bus Bay #7, 1 Spence St, Cairns Marlin Marina. Look for the vibrant green or orange Barefoot Tours bus - arrive 15 minutes before your scheduled departure time.
Babinda Boulders
45 min
Your first stop is Babinda Boulders, known as nature's playground - a fast-flowing tropical creek set among huge granite boulders and lush Bellenden Ker rainforest. Take a refreshing swim in the natural rock pools or walk through the forest and hear the Aboriginal legends that surround this magical place.
Josephine Falls
Admission included90 min
One of the Tablelands' most loved swimming spots. The clear waters of Josephine Falls glide over smooth boulders into a natural pool with a rock slide that guests come back for again and again.
Mungalli Falls
45 min
A scenic lunch stop in the heart of the Tablelands. Enjoy your included picnic lunch of sandwiches and fruit platter in a beautiful rainforest setting.
Millaa Millaa Lookout
10 min
A panoramic vantage point over the rolling hills and lush farmland of the Atherton Tablelands. One of the best photo stops of the day.
Millaa Millaa Falls
60 min
One of the most photographed waterfalls in Australia, a single-drop curtain of water into a clear pool surrounded by protected rainforest. Time to swim, relax, and take photos at Cairns' most iconic waterfall.
Atherton Tablelands
180 min
Your guide takes you through the heart of the Tablelands, rolling hills, ancient rainforest, and local towns. Commentary throughout covers the region's natural history, geology, and wildlife. Watch for tree kangaroos along the way.
Lake Eacham Crater Lakes National Park
Admission included45 min
A swim in one of Australia's most beautiful volcanic crater lakes. Lake Eacham's crystal-clear waters are surrounded by ancient rainforest and are home to turtles and freshwater fish you can see clearly from the surface.
Cathedral Fig Tree
Admission included15 min
Marvel at one of Australia's most remarkable living structures, a 500-year-old strangler fig with roots that have grown to form a cathedral-like chamber in the forest.
Yungaburra Platypus Viewing Platform
30 min
The highlight wildlife stop of the day. Wander along the rainforest creek at dusk and watch for wild platypus in their natural habitat, one of the most elusive and iconic animals in Australia. Sightings are not guaranteed but are a regular feature of this tour.
Wet Tropics World Heritage Area
Pass by
Wet Tropics Wonder: Immerse yourself in the heart of one of the most biodiverse regions on Earth. The Wet Tropics World Heritage Area is a living museum of natural history, home to ancient flora and rare wildlife. (The Region we visit throughout the day, not an actual location)
10 min
Drop off back in Cairns CBD.
What's included
Included
Carbon-neutral tour - every adventure is carbon offset
Expert local guide
Small group experience - maximum 20 people
Water can be provided and there are water stations available along the route
Pickup and drop-off from Cairns CBD (Reef Fleet Terminal, Bus Bay #7)
All national park entrance fees and permits
Picnic lunch - sandwiches and fruit platter
Not included
Breakfast and dinner
Pickup Locations & Times
Meeting point: Reef Fleet Terminal, Bus Bay #7, 1 Spence St, Cairns Marlin Marina, Cairns CBD
Meeting time: 7:30 AM
Or, arrange pick up at your accommodation in Cairns city.
Traveller Ratings
Reviews collected by Viator and Tripadvisor
4.9
906 reviews
5
839
4
49
3
5
2
5
1
8
How it compares in Cairns & the Tropical North
Rated higher than 74% of 141 reviewed tours in Cairns & the Tropical North
No. 13 by number of reviews among 242 tours in Cairns & the Tropical North
Starting price $163 is 14% below the typical $188 for tours of similar length in Cairns & the Tropical North
Excurgo comparison of 242 Viator tours, recalculated daily.
Important Information
Public transportation options are available nearby
Suitable for all physical fitness levels
Meeting point: Reef Fleet Terminal, Bus Bay #7, 1 Spence St, Cairns Marlin Marina, Cairns CBD
Look for the vibrant green or orange Barefoot Tours bus - arrive 15 minutes before departure
What to bring: towel, swimwear, comfortable shoes or sandals, sunglasses, hat, camera
Water can be provided and there are water stations available along the route
Pack a jumper or light jacket in winter months - temperatures in the Tablelands are cooler than Cairns
Wildlife sightings including platypus, cassowary, and tree kangaroos are common but not guaranteed
Itinerary is flexible and may vary based on weather and road conditions on the day
Minimum age 8 years
Cancellation
For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
1+ days before100% refund
0–1 days before0% refund
Frequently asked questions
How long does From Cairns: Atherton Tablelands Wildlife & Waterfalls take?
From Cairns: Atherton Tablelands Wildlife & Waterfalls lasts about 10 hours. The itinerary has 12 stops.
How much does From Cairns: Atherton Tablelands Wildlife & Waterfalls cost?
Prices start at $163 per person for this Cairns and the Tropical North experience, booked through Viator with the price shown before checkout. There is 1 booking option, so the final price depends on the option you choose.
What days does From Cairns: Atherton Tablelands Wildlife & Waterfalls run?
According to the operator’s current schedule, it runs every day, starting at 7:30 AM.
Does From Cairns: Atherton Tablelands Wildlife & Waterfalls sell out?
It can: 8 of the next 30 departures are already sold out, so booking ahead is a good idea.
Can I cancel From Cairns: Atherton Tablelands Wildlife & Waterfalls for free?
Yes. Cancel at least 1 day before the start for a full refund. Later cancellations are non-refundable.
Is hotel pickup included?
Yes, pickup is offered. Meeting point: Reef Fleet Terminal, Bus Bay #7, 1 Spence St, Cairns Marlin Marina, Cairns CBD
Meeting time: 7:30 AM
Or, arrange pick up at your accommodation in Cairns city. Pickup points include Mercure Cairns.
What languages is From Cairns: Atherton Tablelands Wildlife & Waterfalls offered in?
The experience is available in EN.
Is this a private or a group tour?
It is a small-group experience with a maximum of 20 participants.
Will my booking be confirmed immediately?
Yes, bookings are confirmed instantly.
Is From Cairns: Atherton Tablelands Wildlife & Waterfalls worth it?
Travellers rate it 4.9 out of 5 across 906 reviews on Viator and Tripadvisor; it is run by Barefoot Tours.
Reviews(906)
Reviews collected by Viator and Tripadvisor
M
marco_m
August 28, 2026 · via Viator
An unforgettable experience — 10/10!
Our tour guide was absolutely superlative. From the very start, it felt like traveling with a close friend rather than just a guide. She made us feel completely comfortable, welcome, and cared for at every single stop throughout the day.
Lunch was served at an exceptional, breathtaking location that made the whole day feel extra special. The entire itinerary was pure magic. I cannot recommend this tour enough to anyone looking to fully immerse themselves in pristine nature, stunning waterfalls, and crystal-clear lakes. An absolute must-do!
Operator response
Thanks so much for the lovely review! We’re so happy to hear you had such a memorable day with us. We’ll be sure to pass your kind words on to your guide — they’ll mean a lot. Thanks for joining us, and we hope to see you again soon
J
Jenneane_B
August 26, 2026 · via Viator
Renee was amazing and so...
Renee was amazing and so much fun. She had so much knowledge about the area and was a great guide. Swimming in the different waterfalls and the crater lake was so refreshing. We had a fantastic day. Highly recommend.
Operator response
Thanks so much for the awesome review! We're so glad you had a fantastic day with Renee and enjoyed all the waterfalls and crater lake. We'll be sure to pass your kind words on to her. Thanks for the recommendation, and hope to see you again soon!
J
jennab62
August 13, 2026 · via Tripadvisor
A great day of waterfalls and platypuses
A great experience with Renee as the driver and guide. Initially told that we may not go to see the platypus viewing point because they had not seen any in the past 3 months. I told her this was the main reason I booked this trip, so she worked the schedule so make sure we were able to go. We saw multiple platypuses and got some great video of them! Thanks, Renee.
Operator response
Thanks so much for the lovely review! We're so glad you had a great day with Renee and managed to spot those platypuses! We'll be sure to pass your kind words on to her. Hope to see you again soon!
W
William_L
August 11, 2026 · via Viator
An excellent all day trip.
A long but very busy day, we stopped at about 6 different beautiful places. Our guide was top shelf!
Operator response
Thanks so much for the great review! We're glad you had a fantastic day and enjoyed the beautiful sights. We're thrilled to hear your guide was top shelf! Hope to see you again soon!
C
C6890IHtracys
July 27, 2026 · via Tripadvisor
A fantastic day!
When we reviewed the iternerary the night before we wondered what made us pick this tour. It turned out to be an excellent tour. Our guide Renae, was delightful, friendly, fun and a enhanced out day. She also had a great Playlist. Our group of 7 plus Renae really hit it off. The chatter and engagement continued until the end and we were sad to say good bye. The sights and tour was amazing. We even saw a couple of tree kangaroos and platypus!!
Operator response
Thanks so much for the lovely review! We're so glad the tour exceeded your expectations and that you had such a great day with Renee. We'll be sure to pass on your kind words to her. Thanks for joining us, and we hope to see you again for another adventure!
T
Tracy_S
July 27, 2026 · via Viator
Awesome trip and extremely enjoyable day. Worth it!
Looking at the iternerary we wondered why we picked this long ago... We had the best day!!! Our tour guide, Rene was the best. Friendly, energetic, enthusiastic, calm. And had a great Playlist! We had a great mix of people on the tour who matched Rene's spirit. The sights were amazing and well spaced. We saw a tree kangaroo and a couple of platypus. It turned out to be her first trip as a guide and you would not have known that.
Operator response
Thanks so much for the lovely review! We're so happy you had such a great day with Renee. We'll be sure to pass your kind words on to her—they'll mean a lot. We hope to welcome you back for another adventure soon!
W
wissamaj
July 25, 2026 · via Tripadvisor
Amazing
Amazing experience with dominic and renee, covered alot of places and very professional
Operator response
Thanks so much for the awesome review! We're so happy to hear you had an amazing day out with Dominic and Renee. We'll be sure to pass your kind words on to them—they'll really appreciate it. Thanks for joining us, and we hope to see you back for another adventure soon!
J
JohnMarc_L
July 24, 2026 · via Viator
Near perfect experience
The experience was fantastic. I enjoyed it. The only thing I can recommend for the tour guide/driver is to do trivia facts or live commentaries while driving and walking so it will not be boring during the travel. Other than this, it was near perfect experience. Thank you Caroline for being the tour guide
Operator response
Thanks so much for your lovely review and for sharing your feedback! We're so glad you had a fantastic day and that Caroline helped make it such a great experience. We really appreciate your suggestion too, and we'll be sure to pass it on to the team as we're always looking for ways to make the journey even more enjoyable. Thanks again, and we hope to see you back for another adventure soon!
C
Carla_E
July 3, 2026 · via Viator
Chasing waterfalls.
A fantastic day out for any nature lover or those unfamiliar with rainforest environments. Pristine waterfalls, easy graded walking tracks, and if you’re lucky enough, native wildlife. Wear good water shoes if swimming at the waterfalls. Incredible guides who were knowledgeable and friendly with a warm sense of humour and made everyone feel welcome and comfortable throughout the whole day. 10 out of 10 day.
Operator response
Thanks so much for the fantastic review! We're absolutely happy you had such a great day exploring the rainforest with us. It’s awesome to hear you enjoyed the waterfalls, wildlife, and the company of our guides. We'll be sure to pass your kind words on to the team—they'll really appreciate it. Hope to see you back for another 10/10 adventure soon!
E
Em_W
June 23, 2026 · via Viator
Wouldn't recommend
Unfortunately we did not enjoy this tour all that much. Our guide only gave a brief few facts on cane toads at the beginning of the drive, then entirely dropped off with any other interesting guiding facts throughout the day. We were dropped off at locations, told where to go, and not much else. We were not too impressed with the guides driving, management of other members on the tour, and her overall guiding approach.
Sadly we would not recommend this tour. Josephine Falls and Babinda Boulders were the only good things on this tour.
Operator response
Thank you for your feedback. We're sorry to hear the tour wasn't what you were hoping for, although we're glad you enjoyed Josephine Falls and Babinda Boulders.
Our guides each have their own style and may focus on different topics depending on the group, conditions, and interests on the day. We appreciate you sharing your experience and will certainly take your comments on board as we continue to improve our tours.
Thank you for travelling with us.
Compare similar tours in Cairns and the Tropical North
Lowest price: Cairns: All Inclusive Waterfalls and Rainforest Tour — $121
Best rated: Fun, Falls and Forest Day Trip from Cairns — 4.9 (975 reviews)
Shortest: Adventure &Taste Atherton Tablelands Food & Wine Tour from Cairns — 9 hours
Tour
Duration
Rating
Price
From Cairns: Atherton Tablelands Wildlife & Waterfalls