A woman in a white dress and a man in casual clothes sit on wooden swings hanging from ropes on a covered wooden deck, surrounded by lush greenery, enjoying the serene atmosphere reminiscent of a Taste of Tablelands Tour. | Aussie Loop
Back

Taste of the Tablelands Tour Cairns

from A$289
10 hours
Cairns
All Ages (0+)
Free Cancellation (48 hours prior)
Please avoid wearing insect repellent and chemical sunscreens on this tour. The operator is Ecotourism Australia accredited, and these products wash into the rainforest streams where you'll swim. Sun safe clothing in lighter, neutral colours is recommended instead. The Tablelands are cooler than Cairns, so bring a light layer.

A small group Atherton Tablelands tour from Cairns that handles both mountain roads for you. Hand feed rock wallabies at Granite Gorge, taste coffee, spirits, cheese and chocolate straight from the producers, then swim at Millaa Millaa Falls and Lake Barrine before heading home.

  • A woman in a white dress and a man in casual clothes sit on wooden swings hanging from ropes on a covered wooden deck, surrounded by lush greenery, enjoying the serene atmosphere reminiscent of a Taste of Tablelands Tour. | Aussie Loop
  • Skybury Swing lg
  • Two halves of a ripe papaya with black seeds are placed on top of green palm leaves, capturing the vibrant spirit of the Taste of the Tablelands festival.
  • Aerial view of a large wooden building with green roofs, surrounded by dense trees and rocky terrain in a forested area—an inviting setting that perfectly captures the spirit of the Tablelands festival, where visitors can experience the best of Queensland food amidst breathtaking natural beauty.
  • A woman in a white dress kneels on a rocky surface outdoors, smiling whilst feeding a small marsupial animal during the Taste of the Tablelands food festival. Trees and a cloudy sky are visible in the background.
  • A wallaby stands on rocky ground holding a person’s hand, with a joey peeking out from its pouch. Trees and sky are visible in the background, capturing the natural beauty often celebrated at North Queensland events like TASTE OF THE TABLELANDS.
  • Two people sit on rocky ground outdoors, feeding small wallabies by hand. Trees and bushes are visible in the background under a partly cloudy sky, capturing the tranquil spirit often found at Atherton events and during the Taste of the Tablelands celebrations.
  • A person enters a rustic restaurant called Bridges with wooden walls, large clay pots, greenery, and a wooden statue by the entrance, their senses eager for the Taste of the Tablelands that fills the air during the food festival season.
  • A wooden tray with four glasses of liquor and a water glass sits behind an open menu displaying various spirits on a wooden table, capturing the inviting ambience of the Taste of the Tablelands food event.
  • A row of various liquor bottles is arranged on a wooden bar counter, reminiscent of the vibrant atmosphere at a Queensland culinary event, with shelves of bottles and a large window in the background.
  • A glass display case filled with rows of assorted chocolates and truffles in various colours and flavours at a confectionery shop offers visitors a delightful experience reminiscent of the Taste of the Tablelands festival, where every bite feels like a celebration of local flavours at this vibrant food event.
  • A cheese platter with labelled cheeses (macadamia, camembert, pepper, gruyère, rainforest) and assorted fruits, arranged on a wooden board with parsley garnish—perfect for a food event or sharing at the Taste of the Tablelands festival.
  • Large banyan tree with long, hanging aerial roots stands next to a wooden walkway in a dense green forest, creating an enchanting setting reminiscent of the natural beauty showcased at events like the Taste of the Tablelands, one of the premier food events in Queensland.
  • A small waterfall flows beneath a bridge surrounded by green trees, with calm water in the foreground—a tranquil setting reminiscent of the natural beauty celebrated at the TASTE OF THE TABLELANDS festival.
  • Tall waterfall cascades down a lush green cliff into a small pool, surrounded by dense vegetation and tropical plants, creating a breathtaking backdrop reminiscent of the vibrant atmosphere found at the Tablelands festival and Taste of the Tablelands food event.
  • A powerful river cascades down rocky cliffs surrounded by dense green forest, with mist rising from the base of the waterfall—a breathtaking backdrop that perfectly embodies the natural beauty celebrated at Queensland events like the Taste of the Tablelands.
  • A lakeside park with metal railings, trees, and clear blue sky. Steps lead down to a viewing platform overlooking calm water surrounded by forest—an ideal spot to relax during the Taste of the Tablelands festival, where visitors can take in serene views between food event tastings.
  • A white tour boat is moored at a lakeside next to a tour van parked on a concrete path, with buildings and palm trees in the background, capturing the lively atmosphere often seen during the Taste of the Tablelands food event.
  • A two-storey lakeside house with large windows and a covered patio sits on a green lawn beside calm water, with trees and blue sky in the background—capturing the tranquil charm of the Atherton Tablelands, renowned for its natural beauty and the vibrant Taste of the Tablelands food festival.
  • A historic wooden waggon on display outdoors, surrounded by green shrubs and a plaque on a post in front of it. Set against a backdrop of cars and buildings, this charming scene captures the rustic spirit often celebrated at events like the Taste of the Tablelands.
  • A young tree kangaroo climbs on a mossy, orange lichen-covered tree branch, surrounded by green leaves in the background—a charming glimpse of nature often celebrated at Tablelands events like the Taste of the Tablelands.
  • Friends enjoying coffee and scones at Skybury on the Atherton Tablelands
  • A woman in a white dress and a man in casual clothes sit on wooden swings hanging from ropes on a covered wooden deck, surrounded by lush greenery, enjoying the serene atmosphere reminiscent of a Taste of Tablelands Tour. | Aussie Loop
  • Skybury Swing lg
  • Two halves of a ripe papaya with black seeds are placed on top of green palm leaves, capturing the vibrant spirit of the Taste of the Tablelands festival.
  • Aerial view of a large wooden building with green roofs, surrounded by dense trees and rocky terrain in a forested area—an inviting setting that perfectly captures the spirit of the Tablelands festival, where visitors can experience the best of Queensland food amidst breathtaking natural beauty.
  • A woman in a white dress kneels on a rocky surface outdoors, smiling whilst feeding a small marsupial animal during the Taste of the Tablelands food festival. Trees and a cloudy sky are visible in the background.
  • A wallaby stands on rocky ground holding a person’s hand, with a joey peeking out from its pouch. Trees and sky are visible in the background, capturing the natural beauty often celebrated at North Queensland events like TASTE OF THE TABLELANDS.
  • Two people sit on rocky ground outdoors, feeding small wallabies by hand. Trees and bushes are visible in the background under a partly cloudy sky, capturing the tranquil spirit often found at Atherton events and during the Taste of the Tablelands celebrations.
  • A person enters a rustic restaurant called Bridges with wooden walls, large clay pots, greenery, and a wooden statue by the entrance, their senses eager for the Taste of the Tablelands that fills the air during the food festival season.
  • A wooden tray with four glasses of liquor and a water glass sits behind an open menu displaying various spirits on a wooden table, capturing the inviting ambience of the Taste of the Tablelands food event.
  • A row of various liquor bottles is arranged on a wooden bar counter, reminiscent of the vibrant atmosphere at a Queensland culinary event, with shelves of bottles and a large window in the background.
  • A glass display case filled with rows of assorted chocolates and truffles in various colours and flavours at a confectionery shop offers visitors a delightful experience reminiscent of the Taste of the Tablelands festival, where every bite feels like a celebration of local flavours at this vibrant food event.
  • A cheese platter with labelled cheeses (macadamia, camembert, pepper, gruyère, rainforest) and assorted fruits, arranged on a wooden board with parsley garnish—perfect for a food event or sharing at the Taste of the Tablelands festival.
  • Large banyan tree with long, hanging aerial roots stands next to a wooden walkway in a dense green forest, creating an enchanting setting reminiscent of the natural beauty showcased at events like the Taste of the Tablelands, one of the premier food events in Queensland.
  • A small waterfall flows beneath a bridge surrounded by green trees, with calm water in the foreground—a tranquil setting reminiscent of the natural beauty celebrated at the TASTE OF THE TABLELANDS festival.
  • Tall waterfall cascades down a lush green cliff into a small pool, surrounded by dense vegetation and tropical plants, creating a breathtaking backdrop reminiscent of the vibrant atmosphere found at the Tablelands festival and Taste of the Tablelands food event.
  • A powerful river cascades down rocky cliffs surrounded by dense green forest, with mist rising from the base of the waterfall—a breathtaking backdrop that perfectly embodies the natural beauty celebrated at Queensland events like the Taste of the Tablelands.
  • A lakeside park with metal railings, trees, and clear blue sky. Steps lead down to a viewing platform overlooking calm water surrounded by forest—an ideal spot to relax during the Taste of the Tablelands festival, where visitors can take in serene views between food event tastings.
  • A white tour boat is moored at a lakeside next to a tour van parked on a concrete path, with buildings and palm trees in the background, capturing the lively atmosphere often seen during the Taste of the Tablelands food event.
  • A two-storey lakeside house with large windows and a covered patio sits on a green lawn beside calm water, with trees and blue sky in the background—capturing the tranquil charm of the Atherton Tablelands, renowned for its natural beauty and the vibrant Taste of the Tablelands food festival.
  • A historic wooden waggon on display outdoors, surrounded by green shrubs and a plaque on a post in front of it. Set against a backdrop of cars and buildings, this charming scene captures the rustic spirit often celebrated at events like the Taste of the Tablelands.
  • A young tree kangaroo climbs on a mossy, orange lichen-covered tree branch, surrounded by green leaves in the background—a charming glimpse of nature often celebrated at Tablelands events like the Taste of the Tablelands.
  • Friends enjoying coffee and scones at Skybury on the Atherton Tablelands

Quick read before you book.

  • Both mountain roads driven for you, up the Kuranda Range and down the Gillies
  • Hand feed Mareeba rock wallabies among the granite boulders
  • Coffee, spirits, cheese and chocolate from the people who make them
  • Two swim stops, at Millaa Millaa Falls and Lake Barrine
  • Maximum 11 guests, and a 2026 Best of Queensland Experience award winner

What people say about this operator.

Google Reviews
5.0 Stars|111 reviews

What could be better?

Honestly, not much. Just bring your camera and comfy walking shoes, there's plenty to see.

Summarised by AI, verify on Google Business Profile before booking

Included in this tour.

  • Pickup and drop off from Cairns city and Northern Beaches accommodation
  • Small group transport with a local guide all day
  • Rainforest canopy walk and lookout over Barron Falls Gorge
  • Morning tea with scones, coffee and papaya tastings at Skybury
  • Rock wallaby hand feeding at Granite Gorge
  • Spirit and liqueur tastings at Mt Uncle Distillery
  • Light lunch with cheese and chocolate tastings at Gallo's Dairyland
  • Curtain Fig Tree, Malanda and Bromfield Swamp stops
  • Millaa Millaa Falls photo and swim stop
  • Afternoon refreshments and nature walk at Lake Barrine, Crater Lakes National Park
  • All entry fees and tastings
  • Water bottle refills through the day

Commonly asked questions.

Pickup is around 7:15am from Northern Beaches accommodation and 8am from Cairns city, with your exact time confirmed at booking. You'll be back in Cairns around 6pm.

Yes. Morning tea at Skybury, a light lunch at Gallo's Dairyland and afternoon refreshments at Lake Barrine are all included, along with every tasting on the day. Let the operator know about any dietary needs when you book.

Cancel at least 48 hours before departure for a full refund. Inside 48 hours, bookings are non refundable, though rescheduling may be possible if there's space.

Tours run in all weather. If the operator has to cancel for weather or safety, you can choose a full refund or move to another date.

Yes. Children aged 4 to 12 pay the child fare, infants aged 0 to 3 travel free on a guardian's lap, and the walking is easy on short formed paths.

Yes, at Millaa Millaa Falls and Lake Barrine, and both swims are optional. Pack swimmers and a towel, and leave chemical sunscreen behind. Our reef safe sunscreen guide covers gentler options.

A hat, camera, clean walking shoes, a refillable water bottle, swimmers, a towel and a cardigan, as the Tablelands run cooler than the coast. Bring money too if you want to take home coffee, spirits or cheese.

Plenty, and one day only scratches the surface. Browse more Atherton Tablelands tours if you want another day up the range.

More about this tour.

The Atherton Tablelands sit up the range from Cairns, and most visitors never make it, because doing them properly means two mountain roads and a full day behind the wheel. This Atherton Tablelands tour does the driving for you, up the Kuranda Range and back down the Gillies, with Tropic Tours capping the group at 11 guests. It picked up a 2026 Best of Queensland Experience award, too.Pickup is around 7:15am on the Northern Beaches or 8am in Cairns city. The day opens with a rainforest canopy walk and lookout over Barron Falls Gorge, then morning tea at Skybury, a coffee and papaya plantation with its own roastery, where scones come with coffee and papaya tastings. Next is Granite Gorge, where you hand feed the Mareeba rock wallabies that live among the boulders.The middle of the day belongs to the producers. Mt Uncle Distillery pours tastings of its gins, rums, vodkas and liqueurs, then Gallo's Dairyland serves a light lunch with cheese and chocolate tastings and a look at how both are made.The afternoon swings to water and very old trees: the Curtain Fig Tree, the dairy town of Malanda, and Bromfield Swamp, a volcanic wetland full of birdlife. Millaa Millaa Falls is the first swim stop, then it's afternoon refreshments and a nature walk at Lake Barrine in Crater Lakes National Park, with another chance to swim, before the run back down the Gillies Range to Cairns around 6pm.One thing to know before you pack: Tropic Tours is Ecotourism Australia certified and asks guests to skip insect repellent and chemical sunscreen, since both wash into the streams you'll be swimming in. If you like the sound of this small team, their Mossman Gorge Daintree Experience takes the same approach up north, and our guide to how many days to spend in Cairns helps you fit both in. Explore the itinerary, then check availability on the Atherton Tablelands tour for your date.

Additional info.

  • Pickup is around 7:15am from Northern Beaches accommodation and 8am from Cairns city, returning to Cairns around 6pm. Your exact pickup time is confirmed at booking.
  • Adults are 13 and over and children 4 to 12. Infants aged 0 to 3 travel free on a guardian's lap, without their own seat.
  • Small group tours need a minimum of 4 travellers to run. If that isn't met, the tour may be cancelled or moved up to a day either side of your date.
  • Tours may not run during wet season closures between November and February.
  • Walking is easy, on short formed paths of about 1 to 2km in total.
  • Please skip insect repellent and chemical sunscreen, as both wash into the rainforest streams. Light coloured, sun safe clothing is the better call.
  • Bring a hat, camera, clean walking shoes, a refillable water bottle, swimmers, a towel and a cardigan, as the Tablelands are cooler than Cairns.
  • Coffee, spirits and cheese can be bought at the stops at your own cost.
  • Vegetarian, vegan, gluten free and other dietary needs can be catered for if advised at booking.