Green fields and scattered trees in the foreground, mist covering the middle ground, and mountain silhouettes with a bright yellow sky in the background set the perfect scene for an unforgettable Northern Experience. Discover this breathtaking landscape on one of our Cairns tours, where nature’s beauty comes alive.
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Northern Experience Eco Tour Cairns

from A$209
1 hour
Cairns
All Ages (0+)
Free Cancellation (24 hours prior)

A full day small group loop from Cairns through the Atherton Tablelands to Paronella Park. Walk among ancient kauri pines at Lake Barrine over Devonshire tea, see the Curtain Fig Tree, swim at Millaa Millaa Falls, then join a guided tour of Paronella Park before heading home around 6pm.

  • Green fields and scattered trees in the foreground, mist covering the middle ground, and mountain silhouettes with a bright yellow sky in the background set the perfect scene for an unforgettable Northern Experience. Discover this breathtaking landscape on one of our Cairns tours, where nature’s beauty comes alive.
  • A tall banyan tree with thick, tangled aerial roots and dense green foliage, viewed from ground level looking up into the canopy—this breathtaking sight is just one of the wonders you might encounter on an Eco Tour Cairns adventure.
  • A waterfall cascades over rocks into a pond, surrounded by lush greenery. A small stone balustrade with potted plants stands in the foreground, inviting you to pause and take in the tranquil scene. A footbridge crosses above the waterfall, reminiscent of those found on Eco Tour Cairns adventures—perfect for immersing yourself in the natural beauty Northern Experience has to offer.
  • A large, two-storey house with green roofs and decks sits by a calm, clear lake surrounded by lush trees and tropical plants—an idyllic setting often admired on Northern Experience and Eco Tour Cairns adventures.
  • A group of people stand by a white minibus on a roadside overlooking a lush, green mountain valley with mist and clouds in the distance, capturing the natural beauty of Cairns during their Eco Tour Cairns Northern Experience.
  • A wide waterfall cascades into a green pool surrounded by lush trees, with rocky steps visible in the foreground—an idyllic scene reminiscent of the natural beauty found on an Eco Tour Cairns adventure.
  • A tall waterfall cascades into a small pool surrounded by lush green ferns and tropical plants in a dense forest, creating the perfect setting for an unforgettable Eco Tour Cairns adventure.
  • A couple stands together in front of an old stone structure surrounded by lush green trees and grass in a garden setting, capturing the essence of an authentic Northern Experience reminiscent of Eco Tour Cairns.
  • A family of four walks together on a dirt path through a dense forest with tall, straight trees and lush green foliage, enjoying the wonders of nature as part of an unforgettable Eco Tour Cairns adventure.
  • Old stone structure with balustrades and water fountains, overgrown with moss and surrounded by dense tropical forest vegetation—an enchanting highlight often featured on Eco Tour Cairns itineraries, perfect for travellers seeking authentic Northern Experience adventures.
  • A stone path leads to a moss-covered staircase surrounded by dense, lush green tropical plants in a forest setting, inviting visitors to immerse themselves in the natural beauty of an Eco Tour Cairns adventure.
  • A cup of coffee, a dessert with whipped cream, and a potted plant on a table overlook a lake and green hills under a partly cloudy sky, capturing the tranquil essence of Eco Tour Cairns.
  • A lizard clings to the trunk of a tree in a dense, green forest, just off a narrow dirt path—a scene often discovered on Eco Tour Cairns adventures. Let Northern Experience guide you along these hidden trails for an unforgettable journey into the region’s pristine wilderness.
  • Green fields and scattered trees in the foreground, mist covering the middle ground, and mountain silhouettes with a bright yellow sky in the background set the perfect scene for an unforgettable Northern Experience. Discover this breathtaking landscape on one of our Cairns tours, where nature’s beauty comes alive.
  • A tall banyan tree with thick, tangled aerial roots and dense green foliage, viewed from ground level looking up into the canopy—this breathtaking sight is just one of the wonders you might encounter on an Eco Tour Cairns adventure.
  • A waterfall cascades over rocks into a pond, surrounded by lush greenery. A small stone balustrade with potted plants stands in the foreground, inviting you to pause and take in the tranquil scene. A footbridge crosses above the waterfall, reminiscent of those found on Eco Tour Cairns adventures—perfect for immersing yourself in the natural beauty Northern Experience has to offer.
  • A large, two-storey house with green roofs and decks sits by a calm, clear lake surrounded by lush trees and tropical plants—an idyllic setting often admired on Northern Experience and Eco Tour Cairns adventures.
  • A group of people stand by a white minibus on a roadside overlooking a lush, green mountain valley with mist and clouds in the distance, capturing the natural beauty of Cairns during their Eco Tour Cairns Northern Experience.
  • A wide waterfall cascades into a green pool surrounded by lush trees, with rocky steps visible in the foreground—an idyllic scene reminiscent of the natural beauty found on an Eco Tour Cairns adventure.
  • A tall waterfall cascades into a small pool surrounded by lush green ferns and tropical plants in a dense forest, creating the perfect setting for an unforgettable Eco Tour Cairns adventure.
  • A couple stands together in front of an old stone structure surrounded by lush green trees and grass in a garden setting, capturing the essence of an authentic Northern Experience reminiscent of Eco Tour Cairns.
  • A family of four walks together on a dirt path through a dense forest with tall, straight trees and lush green foliage, enjoying the wonders of nature as part of an unforgettable Eco Tour Cairns adventure.
  • Old stone structure with balustrades and water fountains, overgrown with moss and surrounded by dense tropical forest vegetation—an enchanting highlight often featured on Eco Tour Cairns itineraries, perfect for travellers seeking authentic Northern Experience adventures.
  • A stone path leads to a moss-covered staircase surrounded by dense, lush green tropical plants in a forest setting, inviting visitors to immerse themselves in the natural beauty of an Eco Tour Cairns adventure.
  • A cup of coffee, a dessert with whipped cream, and a potted plant on a table overlook a lake and green hills under a partly cloudy sky, capturing the tranquil essence of Eco Tour Cairns.
  • A lizard clings to the trunk of a tree in a dense, green forest, just off a narrow dirt path—a scene often discovered on Eco Tour Cairns adventures. Let Northern Experience guide you along these hidden trails for an unforgettable journey into the region’s pristine wilderness.

Quick read before you book.

  • A swim under the 20 metre Millaa Millaa Falls
  • The towering Curtain Fig Tree boardwalk
  • 1,000 year old twin kauri pines at Lake Barrine
  • Two and a half hours to explore Paronella Park your way
  • A dip at Babinda Boulders to finish, time permitting

What people say about this operator.

Google Reviews
4.8 Stars|65 reviews

What could be better?

Honestly, not much. Rain can arrive any time up here, so pack a light jacket and enjoy the falls.

Summarised by AI, verify on Google Business Profile before booking

Included in this tour.

  • Guided full day tour in a small group, air conditioned coach
  • Return transfers from Cairns accommodation
  • Devonshire morning tea at Lake Barrine
  • Lunch at a local restaurant
  • Paronella Park priority entry and guided tour
  • National park permit fees
  • Booster seats for children

Commonly asked questions.

Pickup from Cairns CBD and south of Cairns accommodation runs between 7:15am and 7:45am, and you're dropped back around 5:30pm to 6pm after a 50 to 60 minute drive from the last stop.

Northern Beaches transfers can be added for a fee when you book. From Port Douglas, arrange a transfer at booking or drive to the Smithfield Skyrail terminal for a free pickup; see getting around Cairns without a car for more options.
You'll join a 30 minute guided tour, then have about two and a half hours to explore the castle, gardens and Mena Creek Falls on your own. If you'd rather drive yourself, there's also Paronella Park and Mamu Tropical Skywalk admission.

Yes, from age 4. Booster seats are supplied and included in the child price, as Queensland law requires children under 7 to use an approved restraint.

Wheelchairs can't be carried, and guests need to get on and off the coach unassisted. Paronella Park sits on two levels joined by 47 steps, with a courtesy vehicle on the service road for guests who can't manage the stairs.

If weather or unforeseen circumstances stop the tour from running, you'll be offered another date or a full refund. Stops may be changed on the day for safety, without a refund.

Cancel more than 24 hours before departure for a full refund or travel credit. Cancellations within 24 hours, and no shows, are charged in full.

Pack a hat, sunglasses, sunscreen, covered walking shoes, swimwear, a towel and a change of clothes, plus bottled water and some cash or a card for the gift shops. A light jacket helps from June to October, and an umbrella if rain is forecast.

More about this tour.

This full day loop from Cairns covers more than 300 kilometres of the Atherton Tablelands and the country south, trading the coast road for crater lakes, giant fig trees and a waterfall you can swim under. It runs as a small group of 6 to 20 in an air conditioned coach, with a guide who knows every stop.The morning climbs the Gillies Highway, with a view from Heales Lookout, to Lake Barrine for a short guided walk to its 1,000 year old twin kauri pines and a Devonshire tea of scones, jam and cream. From there you roll through heritage listed Yungaburra to the Curtain Fig Tree, a 600 to 800 year old fig more than 45 metres tall, then on to Millaa Millaa Falls for a swim before lunch at a local restaurant.The afternoon belongs to Paronella Park, the 1930s castle and gardens at Mena Creek. A 30 minute guided tour comes first, then about two and a half hours to wander Kauri Avenue, the Grand Staircase and the suspension bridge over Mena Creek Falls. Time permitting, you'll finish with a dip at Babinda Boulders before the drive back.Only have half a day? The Forest and Waterfalls half day 4WD adventure heads up the range to Barron Falls and Davies Creek. For more ideas, see our list of things to do in Cairns.Explore the itinerary, check availability, then book your day on the Tablelands.

Additional info.

  • Pickup from Cairns accommodation between 7:15am and 7:45am, returning around 5:30pm to 6pm
  • Minimum age 4
  • Bring swimwear, a towel and a change of clothes
  • Note any dietary needs during online check in