Chillagoe

The Hub This major interpretive centre is constructed from local materials including marble and copper. Informative displays cover the geographical history of the local landscape (dating back 2 billion years), the town's mining and pioneering past and the region's Aboriginal heritage. Queen St; (07) 4094 7111.Heritage Museum: displays on local history and relics of old mining days; Hill St. Historic cemetery: headstones from early settlement; Railway Line Rd. Historical walks: self-guide or guided walks taking in the old State Smelter and disused marble quarry just south of town; details from visitor centre.

Chillagoe–Mungana Caves National Park The impressive rugged limestone outcrops and magnificent caves of this park, south of town, are studied by scientists world-wide. The cave system was originally an ancient coral reef and is home to a wide variety of bats. Fossilised bones, including those of a giant kangaroo, have been discovered in the caves. Guided tours only; tickets from The Hub. Above ground are magnificent Aboriginal rock paintings at Balancing Rock. (07) 4046 6600; 7 km S.Mungana: Aboriginal rock paintings at the Archways. Also a historic cemetery; 16 km W. Almaden: small town where cattle own the main street; 30 km SE. 4WD self-guide adventure trek: mud maps and clues provided; details from visitor centre. Tag-along tours: full- and half-day tours visiting Aboriginal sites, marble quarries and other places; details from visitor centre.

Julatten 107 km

Fishing is where you find it, and sometimes you find it in unlikely places. Between Mount Molloy and Mossman in the Rex Ranges at a place called Julatten, I came across a couple of people fishing in a pond. I pulled over... Find out more

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Lake Tinaroo 111 km

Lake Tinaroo is built across the Barron River Gorge in the Atherton Tablelands; about two hours’ drive from Cairns via Gordonvale and Yungaburra. The lake was the first of Queensland’s impoundments stocked... Find out more

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Cairns 137 km

Many international game anglers regard Cairns as the game fish capital of the world, with plenty of big black marlin – the Holy Grail of gamefishing. Granders or Julies, call them what you will, these huge female... Find out more

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Trinity Inlet 137 km

The Cairns region offers more than gamefishing. South of the city are rivers like the Russell and Mulgrave; to the north are the Daintree and Mowbray Rivers. Anglers heading inland will find opportunities like the famous... Find out more

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Russell Heads 154 km

Russell Heads is the junction and estuary system of the Russell and Mulgrave Rivers, south of Cairns. I was fishing with Kieran Livingstone who had a Cairns Custom Craft aluminium, a solid boat ideal for river and... Find out more

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Munbah 235 km

It’s predawn and Les Gibson walks down to the creek and stops. He is on his way to push some boats out into deeper water as the tide is falling rapidly. Following Les are three journalists. He stops at the creek,... Find out more

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Cheese-tasting - Millaa Millaa 123 km

In the lush highlands of Millaa Millaa, overlooking Mount Bartle Frere, the certified biodynamic Mungalli Creek Dairy has a superb range of organic cheeses and yoghurts for sale and tastings. You can watch the delectable... Find out more

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Wildlife experience - Cairns 125 km

Combine several of the Cairns area’s main wildlife attractions into one seamless day out: the Kuranda Scenic Railway, Skyrail, Kuranda Koala Gardens, Birdworld and the Australian Butterfly Sanctuary. Book through... Find out more

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Reef tours 125 km

As with elsewhere on the reef, there is the luxury of choice for diving or snorkelling trips, particularly from Port Douglas. However, remember the reef is not just offshore and involves a boat trip. Among the... Find out more

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Bushwalking around the Daintree and Cape Tribulation 131 km

Join a guided day or night bushwalk in the privately owned Cooper Creek Wilderness, to discover the incredible natural riches of this area. Back Country Bliss Adventures also runs gentle, guided half-day bushwalks to... Find out more

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Savannahlander 135 km

This small two- or three-carriage train heads out across the savannah country from Cairns to Forsayth on a four-day round trip, allowing you to get off at towns and see key places, such as Undara, along the way. You can... Find out more

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Daintree Discovery Centre 140 km

This multi-award-winning ecotourism centre is a great place to learn about the legendary Daintree rainforest. There are elevated boardwalks, an aerial walkway, a canopy tower and a large interpretive display centre with... Find out more

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Bushwalking around Townsville and Cairns 201 km

This entire region offers great delights to bushwalkers, although you are likely to get damp, either from the humidity or from a tropical shower (it is not called ‘rainforest’ for nothing). The Rainforest and... Find out more

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Indigenous tours - Cooktown to Cape York 202 km

Guurrbi Tours offers an award-winning tour with Willie Gordon, Nugal-warra elder, Guugu Yimithirr speaker and author, on which you will visit a series of sacred rock-art sites that you otherwise cannot see. There are... Find out more

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Hiking the Thorsborne Trail 230 km

The 32-kilometre Thorsborne Trail is a classic tropical bushwalk that weaves along the east coast of the 393-square-kilometre Hinchinbrook Island National Park. There is a maximum of 40 people allowed on the track at a... Find out more

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Birdwatching - Townsville to Cairns 240 km

You do not need to be a bird nerd to appreciate Tyto Wetlands near Ingham. It is a beautiful, peaceful spot for a picnic, a pleasant walk or a pre-dinner drink. But if you stop at one of the benches or bird hides and... Find out more

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Sea Temple Golf & Country Club 122 km

Technological advancements in agronomy and construction equipment have opened up new frontiers and landscapes for golf course designers during the past 40 years. One course designer who has never shirked a tough... Find out more

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Paradise Palms Country Club 129 km

‘Paradise’ is appropriately named. Situated 25 minutes north of Cairns, and just off the Captain Cook Highway, this is a beautiful golf course. The rainforest-covered Great Dividing Range dominates the... Find out more

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Blue Sky Brewery 136 km

After a significant period between drinks, Cairns once again has a working brewery with the opening of Blue Sky Brewery in 2008. Located in the heart of the city, the microbrewery, bar and restaurant complex has six... Find out more

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Granite Gorge camping area 92 km

Formed millions of years ago by ancient volcanoes, the boulders at Granite Gorge are a natural wonder well worth checking out. Some, allegedly, are shaped like animals. Safari tent accommodation is available and... Find out more

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Discovery Holiday Parks Lake Tinaroo 109 km

Just 150 m from Lake Tinaroo, this caravan park has an excellent range of facilities for a comfortable stay after a day of boating or waterskiing on the lake. Other activities include fishing for barramundi or sooty... Find out more

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Platypus camping and day-use area 111 km

Platypus campground, 4 km from the western entrance, has 18 numbered sites for small tents, large tents and vans. Open fires are allowed here in the provided fire rings and barbecues (except when fire bands apply); bring... Find out more

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Davies Creek camping area 113 km

Camp beside the creek at this clearing 6 km from the Kennedy Hwy, accessible with conventional vehicles. There are 8 sites with space for 10 campers per site. Bring firewood for the allocated fireplaces and all... Find out more

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Fong-On Bay camping area 113 km

A favourite with waterskiers, this campground is divided into 2 sections with good water access: Bulmba and Gungul. To get there, turn off the Danbulla forest drive 16.5 km from the western entrance, or 11.5 km from the... Find out more

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Downfall Creek camping area 113 km

This campground is 7 km from the western entrance and 21 km from the eastern entrance of the Danbulla forest drive. Campers can take the 2.4 km walk through the forest to Kauri Creek. Note: open fires are permitted in... Find out more

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Kauri Creek camping area 114 km

A great spot for swimming and canoeing, Kauri Creek is 9 km from the western entrance and 19 km from the eastern entrance of the Danbulla forest drive. Open fires are allowed in fire rings; generators are not permitted.... Find out more

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School Point camping and day-use area 116 km

School Point has 8 numbered campsites with a gravel surface, reached by 2WD or boat. To get there, turn off the Danbulla forest drive 16 km from the western entrance, or 12 km from the eastern entrance and follow the... Find out more

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Dinden camping area (bush camping) 116 km

A 4WD is advisable for accessing these 6 bush campsites, 5 km along Davies Creek Rd from Davies Creek National Park. It is preferable to visit in the dry season (Apr–Oct); bring your own everything and treat water... Find out more

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Undara Experience 116 km

Next to the national park, the Undara Experience has a spacious caravan park and campground with laundry, swimming pool, bar and restaurant. Other accommodation options on-site include restored railway carriages, swag... Find out more

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Mount Garnet Travellers Park 84 km

This is a spacious park with shade and green grass in a quieter off-highway position. It has good amenities. Bookings required at Easter and long weekends.... Find out more

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Innot Hot Springs Leisure and Caravan Park 95 km

Located in the centre of the small township, this place has good facilities and the local hotel is just a short walk away. A relaxing dip in the spring-fed pools in the park is most enjoyable at the end of the day.... Find out more

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Walkamin Central Van Park 97 km

This is a relatively new owner-operated park adjacent to the Kennedy Highway. There are excellent amenities and a large central building with a camp kitchen and large open fireplace. There is not a lot of shade, but we... Find out more

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BIG4 Atherton Woodlands Tourist Park 102 km

On the outskirts of Atherton, about 2 km from the town centre, this tidy park has large shady trees and makes a good base for a few days while exploring the area. Bookings are required in peak periods.... Find out more

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Discovery Holiday Parks – Lake Tinaroo 109 km

This park is located on Tinaroo Dam, 17 km from Atherton. It is popular with anglers who come year round to catch barramundi from the stocked reservoir. The park has good basic facilities. Bookings are required in peak... Find out more

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Bedrock Village Caravan Park 112 km

This is an owner-operated park that is very clean and has good facilities. It also offers a selection of tours in its buses to Undara Lava Tubes, Cobbold Gorge and other destinations. Bookings are required in peak... Find out more

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Mount Surprise Tourist Park 112 km

The park is located in the centre of town and has grassy sites, large shady trees and a cafe/restaurant. It has basic amenities and there is an adjoining service station. Bookings are required in peak periods.... Find out more

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Undara Experience 116 km

The camping area, part of Undara Lava Lodge, is 40 km east of Mount Surprise. The final 15 km of access is gradually being sealed and on our last visit only a few kilometers of gravel remained. Nestled at the edge of... Find out more

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BIG4 Port Douglas Glengarry Holiday Park 121 km

The park is located in a peaceful location about 10 km south of Port Douglas off the Captain Cook Highway. It is a nice park, tucked away from the busy centre of this popular tourist destination. Bookings are required in... Find out more

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Pandanus Van Park 124 km

This park is just 2 km from the centre of Port Douglas, on the main road into town. Bookings are required in peak periods.... Find out more

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Wrotham Park Lodge

Pretend you’re a Baron of the Bush at this 600,000-hectare cattle station, 300 kilometres from Cairns. There are ten guest quarters on an escarpment with views of the Mitchell River, equipped with shaded verandahs... Find out more

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Kingfisher Park Birdwatcher’s Lodge 107 km

Guaranteed to get keen birdwatchers excited, this eco-accredited establishment at Julatten is renowned as one of the best birdwatching spots north of Cairns, with rare endemic species seen around the pool. For six months... Find out more

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Possum Valley Rainforest Cottages 110 km

Near Millaa Millaa, the two secluded bush cabins here, on 62 hectares of bushland and rainforest, can sleep up to eight people each, and are completely powered by solar technology and a small water turbine in Possum... Find out more

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The Canopy, near Malanda 119 km

Located at Tarzali, this place comprises six beautiful glass and timber treehouses set in 40 hectares of rainforest that has never been logged, with Lumholtz tree-kangaroos creeping around, green ringtail possums,... Find out more

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Rose Gums Wilderness Retreat 127 km

By renting out nine elegant eco-accredited treehouses (near Malanda), the owners have funded a massive weed-clearing and revegetation program – including planting 20 000 trees – on their 92-hectare property,... Find out more

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Daintree Eco Lodge and Spa 132 km

If you are in need of some pampering, this is the place to go. With strong and proud links to the Aboriginal heritage of the site – a women’s healing place – the Eco Lodge has 15 sumptuous villas set... Find out more

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Daintree Rainforest Retreat, near Cow Bay 140 km

When the owners here decided to reduce their carbon footprint by installing 48 solar panels, the generator’s monthly diesel consumption changed from 1600 litres to 200 litres. By revegetating a rainforest on their... Find out more

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Daintree Wilderness Lodge, Alexandra Bay 141 km

Set in fan-palm rainforest, the eight bungalows here, accessed by raised boardwalks to protect the forest floor, are partially solar-powered by 20 solar panels, and a biocycle system breaks down all waste on site. As... Find out more

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Hinchinbrook Island Wilderness Lodge and Resort 215 km

Revolutionary in terms of minimal-impact tourism when it was first established in 1974, this classy resort has no more than a toehold on the 393-square-kilometre Hinchinbrook Island, and you can hardly see the treetop... Find out more

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Gordonvale Park Area 135 km

33 km N of Babinda (R) or 27 km S of Cairns (L) Large area just off the highway at Mulgrave River. GPS: S17 05.998 E145 47.246 ... Find out more

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Tully Gorge Camp Area 141 km

T/O into main street through Tully Pleasant campground located in Tully Gorge State Forest, surrounded by rainforest on the banks of the Tully River, 40 kilometres north-west of town. Good facilities and shade. ... Find out more

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The Boulders Camp Area 145 km

T/O into the main street through Babinda Small campground located 6 kilometres west of the highway near a very pleasant picnic area in the rainforest. Good facilities. NOTE: Limited sites available. GPS: S17 20.394... Find out more

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