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
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Taste of the Tablelands Tour Cairns

from A$289
10 hours
Cairns
All ages (4+)
Free cancellation (48hr 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.

2026 Best of Queensland Experience Award winner. Experience the Atherton Tablelands in a day with a guided tour from Cairns or the Northern Beaches. Enjoy rainforest walks in Kuranda, tastings at Skybury Plantation and Mt Uncle Distillery, wildlife encounters at Granite Gorge, lunch at Gallo Dairyland, and iconic stops including Millaa Millaa Falls and Crater Lakes National Park.

  • 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.
  • 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.

Quick read before you book.

  • Both mountain roads driven for you, up the Kuranda and down the Gillies
  • Hand feed unadorned rock wallabies at Granite Gorge, no fence between you
  • Three producers in one day, coffee, spirits and cheese
  • Maximum 11 guests, never a coach
  • Ecotourism Australia accredited and a 2026 Best of Queensland Experience winner

What’s included

  • Return pickup from Cairns or the Northern Beaches
  • All transport, entry fees and guiding for the day
  • Guided rainforest canopy walk over Barron Falls Gorge, Kuranda
  • Morning tea and tastings at Skybury coffee and papaya plantation
  • Rock wallaby hand feeding at Granite Gorge
  • Spirit and liqueur tastings at Mt Uncle Distillery
  • Lunch, cheese and chocolate at Gallo Dairyland
  • Curtain Fig Tree, Malanda and Bromfield Swamp stops
  • Swim stop at Millaa Millaa Falls
  • Crater Lakes National Park and the twin kauri pines at Lake Barrine
  • Afternoon refreshments at Lake Barrine

Commonly asked questions.

The tour includes complimentary hotel pickup from your accommodation in Cairns or the Northern Beaches. Pickups begin around 7:15am from the Northern Beaches and 8:00am from Cairns, with return to Cairns at approximately 6:00pm. You don't drive at all - your guide takes you up the Kuranda Range and back down the Gillies Range, so you experience both of the region's most scenic mountain drives in one day.

You'll sample single-origin coffee and papaya at Skybury (Australia's oldest coffee plantation), award-winning gins, rums and liqueurs at Mt Uncle Distillery, and gourmet cheese and handcrafted chocolate at Gallo Dairyland, where a light lunch is included. The Atherton Tablelands is known as the "Food Bowl of the North" thanks to its rich volcanic soil and cooler high-altitude climate.

Yes. At Granite Gorge you hand feed the Mareeba unadorned rock wallaby among the granite boulders they live in, with feed available on site. No enclosure, no fence, which is why it lands differently to a wildlife park.

This is a small-group tour limited to between 4 and 11 guests - never a large coach. The intimate group size means a more relaxed, unhurried pace and plenty of one-on-one time with your local guide.

Yes - there's an optional swim stop at Millaa Millaa Falls, one of Queensland's most photographed waterfalls, plus the chance to swim or take a nature walk at Crater Lakes National Park. Bring swimmers and a towel, a hat, camera, refillable water bottle, clean walking shoes, and a light cardigan (the Tablelands sit at altitude and are noticeably cooler than Cairns).

Cancel more than 48 hours before departure for a full refund. Inside 48 hours it's non refundable, though Tropic Tours will generally reschedule you to another date. The group caps at 11, so dates do close out in the dry season.

Read more? Here’s the full description.

The Tablelands in a day, without doing the driving The Atherton Tablelands sit an hour up the range from Cairns, and most visitors never make it, because getting there properly means two mountain roads and a full day behind the wheel. This Atherton Tablelands tour does both ranges for you, up the Kuranda and back down the Gillies, and caps the group at 11 guests. Morning: canopy, coffee, wallabies It opens with a guided canopy walk in the Kuranda rainforest looking out over Barron Falls Gorge. Then Skybury, a coffee and papaya plantation out on the savannah, for morning tea and tastings. Granite Gorge comes next, where you can hand feed the unadorned rock wallabies living in the boulder country there. They come right up to you, which is not something you get at a wildlife park. Middle: the food bowl of the north Mt Uncle Distillery for gin, rum and liqueur tastings, then Gallo Dairyland for cheese, handmade chocolate and lunch. Volcanic soil and altitude are why the Tablelands earned the food bowl name, and you taste the difference across three producers in one afternoon. Afternoon: water and very old trees The Curtain Fig Tree, then Malanda, then Bromfield Swamp, an old volcanic crater. Millaa Millaa Falls is the swim stop, and it earns being the most photographed waterfall in the state. Crater Lakes National Park and the twin kauri pines at Lake Barrine finish it off before the descent down the Gillies Range. Worth knowing Tropic Tours is Ecotourism Australia accredited and partners on the Mabi Reforestation Project, so they ask guests to skip insect repellent and chemical sunscreens for the day. Both wash straight into the streams you'll be swimming in. Sun safe clothing in lighter, neutral colours does the job instead. Bring a light layer as well, since the Tablelands run cooler than the coast. Back into Cairns around 6pm. Explore what else runs up the range, then check availability on the Atherton Tablelands tour for the date you want.

Additional info by the operator.

Pickups run from around 7:15am in the Northern Beaches and 8:00am in Cairns, returning to Cairns about 6:00pm. Minimum age is 4, and child pricing applies from 4 to 12 years. Tropic Tours is Ecotourism Australia accredited, a QTIC and ATEC member and a partner in the Mabi Reforestation Project, and they ask guests to avoid insect repellent and chemical sunscreens, since both wash into the rainforest streams you'll swim in. Sun safe clothing in lighter, neutral colours is the alternative. Bring swimmers and a towel for Millaa Millaa Falls, clean walking shoes, a hat, a refillable water bottle, a camera, a light cardigan for the altitude, and cash if you want to buy coffee, spirits or cheese at the stops.