Things to do
Bird Watching Atherton Tablelands
Calling all Twitchers
The wetlands and grassland of the Atherton Tablelands is a birdwatcher’s delight. Some of the most exotic birds are found in the ancient Wet Tropics Rainforest. You may even spot birds that are endemic to this region, including the golden bowerbird, the bridled honeyeater, the Australian king parrot and the boobook owl. Located 10 minutes out of Atherton, Hasties Swamp National Park is home to over 220 diverse species of birds. Observe the birds from the comfort of the two-storey bird hide, using the signs as a guide to species identification. The park’s wetland environment varies with the season, the Best birdwatching time is during the dry season (April to October) when the swamp dries out and the area becomes an important refuge for waterbirds. Other birds to keep an eye out for include vibrantly coloured kingfishers and the endangered southern cassowary, which grows up to two metres in height.
lagoon at Jabiru Safari Lodge near Mareeba
Close encounters of the bird kind
From kingfishers to cassowaries, meet out eye-catching feathered friends.
Retreat Hopping on the Atherton Tablelands
Pack the mini-break bag and head for the hills for a long weekend of retreat hopping on the Atherton Tablelands.
7 great reasons to head to the Atherton Tablelands
The Atherton Tablelands are the kind of place you want to take at your own pace. Jump in a car and head inland to tick off these must-do experiences.
10 things near Mareeba worth the drive from Cairns
If your ideal holiday involves roaming from providore to providore, seeing 400-million-year-old rock cave formations and exploring waterfalls in between, there’s a town on the Atherton Tablelands you’ll want to get to know.
10 waterfalls to chase on the Atherton Tablelands
Hit the famous waterfall circuit, uncover those lesser known or stretch a little further and take a dip in Australia’s widest, single-drop waterfall on the Atherton Tablelands.
Why you should visit the tropics in summer
From cosy rainforest retreats to once-in-a-lifetime Great Barrier Reef reef events, epic waterfalls to spectacular outback scenery, this is why you should put the green light on your summer holiday.
