Attractions of Malanda and the Atherton Tablelands
The area abounds in natural attractions and is nirvana for nature lovers. A wealth of wildlife, stunning waterfalls, and forest fringed crater lakes are icons of this region. Add to this the fresh tropical highland air, lush rainforests and rolling green hills, quaint bed and breakfasts or luxury tree houses, and delicious local produce, and it is no wonder that people return to this area again and again. We hope you will too.
Start your visit with us, at the Malanda Falls Visitor Centre, with our comprehensive displays and helpful local volunteers. Plenty of free maps, brochures and advice are readily available.
Malanda Falls Conservation Park and the Malanda Falls are immediately adjacent to the Centre. Two self guided walking trails, the Tulip Oak Walk and the Rainforest Walk weave through the forest or along the banks of the North Johnstone River, each taking approximately 30 minutes to enjoy, while the falls area provides a sandy rainforest pool for swimming and family picnics in the warmer weather. The Park provides one of the best places to spot local wildlife such as the Lumholtz Tree Kangaroo, Green Ringtail Possums, and the forest has a bird list of well over 50 species, including some of the wet tropics endemics such as Victoria’s riflebird and the grey-headed robin. Click here for a birdlist of the Atherton Tablelands region. Platypus and turtles are regularly spotted in the river and swimming pool at the falls. Maps of the trails are available from the Visitor Centre Rainforest Dreaming Guided Walks. To really discover the rainforest, book a guided walk with Ngadjon-ji elder Ernie Raymont. Ernie has been guiding visitors through the Malanda rainforests for many years and has an in depth knowledge of the forest and its wildlife. The hour long walk allows visitors to gain an understanding of the Ngadjonji people and their lives in the forest as well as learning some of the traditional uses of the local plants. The walk offers great opportunities for viewing the local wildlife, with regular sightings of both tree kangaroos and possums. Round off your walk with a home cooked morning tea at the adjacent Tree Kangaroo Café. Currently walks are run on Saturdays and Sundays at 9.30 and 11am, and bookings for Rainforest Dreaming are essential. Click here for current times and prices and options. For more information or to make a booking, phone the Information Visitor Centre on 07 4096 6957. Malanda Township Why not start your tour with a walk around the quaint village of Malanda? Click here to view and printout the Malanda Brochure. The Malanda Mosaics commemorate the rich history of Malanda, and the mosaics trail starts at the Malanda library. Close study of the individual mosaics reveals many details camouflaged in the intricate designs, and the handmade ceramic border tiles tell more about the theme of the central mosaic. Maps of the Malanda Mosaics are available at the Centre. Click here to view and printout the Mosaics brochure. The Majestic Theatre is a heritage listed building said to be the oldest continually-operating cinema in Australia! Open at weekends, this is a real step back in time for visitors with its canvas backed seating! The Malanda Hotel is claimed to be the largest wooden structure in Australia. Much of the original timberwork can still be seen inside the dining room, which is open for meals daily. Malanda Dairy Centre provides a fascinating look at the Atherton Tablelands’ dairy industry, and tours of the Malanda Milk Factory (bookings recommended), as well as a café providing delicious local treats. Crater Lakes, Eacham and Barrine It is believed that Lakes Eacham and Barrine were formed some 12000 years ago during the most recent period of volcanic activity on the Tablelands, and are explosion craters known as maars. Aboriginal legend tells the story of their formation. Located just 15 minutes from Malanda the clear deep waters of the lakes surrounded by lush tropical rainforest are stunningly beautiful. Walks of roughly 3km in length encircle both lakes, whilst boat trips are offered on Lake Barrine from the picturesque Lake Barrine teahouse. Both Crater Lakes provide excellent birding and wildlife viewing, with musky-rat kangaroos, water dragons and huge amethystine pythons regularly spotted, and swimming and bbq facilities are provided at Lake Eacham. Lake Barrine is also home to the magnificent Twin Kauri Pines. Estimated to be 1,000 years old the Kauri Pines are living fossils. Millaa Millaa Waterfalls Circuit The famous ‘waterfalls circuit’ starts at Millaa Millaa, just to the south of Malanda. Of the three falls on the circuit, it is the Millaa Millaa Falls that are reputedly the most beautiful and photographed in the wet tropics. However, Zillie and Ellinjaa Falls are well worth exploring too for those who enjoy a short walk. Delicious local dairy produce can also be enjoyed in Milla Millaa at the Falls Teahouse and Mungalli Creek Biodynamic Dairy. Mt Hypipamee, the Crater and Dinner Falls A beautiful drive from Malanda, passing Bromfield Swamp and through the farmlands of Upper Barron Road, takes visitors to The Crater, located within Mt Hypipamee National Park. A fascinating piece of the region’s geological jigsaw, the water level in the Crater is 55 metres below ground, but the lake itself is much deeper, and the Crater remains a geological enigma. This is also a great place to spot that elusive cassowary and other wildlife on the short walk from the car park and picnic area, with at least 8 possum species resident here, as well as tree kangaroos. Further south towards Ravenshoe, the Millstream Falls are believed to be the widest single drop waterfall in Australia. Call into the Ravenshoe Visitor Centre for more information and visit the Jirrbal Museum. Bromfield Swamp A few kilometres from Malanda is the extinct volcanic crater or maar known as Bromfield Swamp . A roost to hundreds of cranes each winter, this is a must for birders hoping to see the enchanting dancing displays of the sarus cranes early in the morning, or their fly-in at dusk. Curtain Fig Tree This giant is located between Malanda and Yungaburra with a short boardwalk around the gigantic strangler fig., Whilst the original host tree has fallen, the fig survives with its great curtain of aerial roots. A second strangler fig, the Cathedral Fig Tree, lies close to Lake Tinaroo on Danbulla Forest Drive. Other local attractions include the Nerada Tea Estate, Gallo’s Cheese and Chocolate Factory, Tarzali Pewtermill, and Tarzali Lakes Aquaculture Centre. Further south along the Palmerston Highway the Mamu Rainforest Canopy Walk and Paronella Park are two very popular attractions. The historic village of Yungaburra is just a short drive from Malanda, and well worth a visit with its quaint cottages and restaurants, and the nearby Lake Tinaroo, renowned for its annual ‘Barra Bash”.
Local markets take place in various Tableland towns each month, and are a great place for fresh local produce. View details of local markets. Take a look at the Tablelands Events for further information. For information on other Tableland attractions, including Atherton, Herberton and Mareeba, click here.
