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Savannahlander This unique train journey shows the rugged delights and beautiful landscapes between Mount Surprise and Cairns. Departing from Mount Surprise Station each Sat, the train stops at various towns in the Gulf Savannah region. There are also trips between Mount Surprise and Forsayth. Bookings on (07) 4053 6848.Old Post Office Museum: documents the bush history of the region in a historic 1870 building; opposite railway station. Mount Surprise Gems: runs tours to nearby fossicking spots and provides licences; Garland St.

Undara Volcanic National Park Undara, an Aboriginal word for long, accurately describes the tubes in Undara Volcanic National Park east of Mount Surprise. The cooling molten lava of an erupted volcano formed the 90 km of hollow underground lava tubes. At 160 kilometres, one of the lava tubes here is the longest on earth. The caves in nearby Chillagoe–Mungana Caves National Park are a feast for the senses, with bat colonies and richly decorative stalactites and stalagmites. The incredible geological history of the area is detailed at The Hub in Chillagoe. Tours are necessary to visit both the tubes and the caves; bookings on 1800 990 992; day tours also run from Bedrock Village. See the eggcup-shaped crater on the 2.5 km Kalkani Crater circuit or go birdwatching to see some of the park's 120 bird species. (07) 4046 6600; 42 km E.O'Brien's Creek: renowned for quality topaz; obtain a licence before fossicking; 37 km NW. Tallaroo Hot Springs: 5 natural springs created over centuries; open Easter–Sept; 48 km NW. Forty Mile Scrub National Park: vine-thicket park on the McBride Plateau with informative short circuit track from day area; (07) 4046 6600; 56 km E. Georgetown: small town once one of many small goldmining settlements on the Etheridge Goldfields; noted for its gemstones, especially agate, and gold nuggets; 82 km W. Forsayth: old mining town; 132 km SW. Cobbold Gorge: guided boat tours through sandstone gorge; bookings essential (07) 4062 5470. A full-day tour to Forsayth and the gorge also runs from Bedrock Village; 167 km SW via Forsayth. Agate Creek: fossick for gemstones; 187 km SW via Forsayth.

Lake Tinaroo 171 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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Russell Heads 203 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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Julatten 204 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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Trinity Inlet 205 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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Cairns 207 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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Chillagoe Observatory and Eco Lodges 112 km

Join a guided tour of the heavens, with closeup views of nebulas and star clusters from two large telescopes. There is camping and cabin accommodation here as well.... Find out more

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Cheese-tasting - Millaa Millaa 154 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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Bushwalking around Townsville and Cairns 181 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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Birdwatching - Townsville to Cairns 203 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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Wildlife experience - Cairns 203 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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Savannahlander 205 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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Hiking the Thorsborne Trail 211 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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Reef tours 221 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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Swimming around Townsville and Cairns 225 km

Not far from Townsville there are a couple of popular swimming holes: Big Crystal Creek near Mutarnee, the icy Little Crystal Creek on the road to Paluma, and under the Rollingstone Bridge. Near Tully, you can cool off... Find out more

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Bushwalking around the Daintree and Cape Tribulation 236 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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Paradise Palms Country Club 208 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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Sea Temple Golf & Country Club 217 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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Undara Experience 27 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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Blencoe Falls camping area 129 km

This remote site for totally self-sufficient campers is set beside Blencoe Creek, 81 km west of Cardwell. Four-wheel drive access is recommended, but stay on the marked tracks, as trampling on vegetation can incur... Find out more

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Tully Gorge camping area 140 km

Accessible with 2WD via a bitumen road, this grassy site is the only campground in the national park. A 375 m return wheelchair-accessible rainforest walk starts from the picnic and camping area. Watch the whitewater... Find out more

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Yamanie camping area (bush camping) 146 km

Bush camping along the banks of the Herbert River is permitted at this site, 54 km west of Ingham. Access to the area is by 4WD only and campers need to be completely self-sufficient. Fires and generators are not... Find out more

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Murray Falls camping area 157 km

Campers here can enjoy the 930 m walk through a rainforest gully that leads into open forest and finishes with amazing views over the falls and Murray Valley. The first 75 m section of the boardwalk at the top end of the... Find out more

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Wallaman Falls camping area 164 km

This campground is beside the Stony Creek picnic area – a great place for spotting platypus. It’s 51 km west of Ingham, off the Abergowrie Rd at Trebonne. Check out the Wallaman Rock Pools circuit walk while... Find out more

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Henrietta Creek camping area 164 km

Accessible with 2WD, this grassy camping area is signposted off the Palmerston Hwy, 38 km from Innisfail. There are 3 numbered and 20 unnumbered sites. In Wooroonooran, Wet Tropics’ endemics include the tiny musky... Find out more

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Granite Gorge camping area 167 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 169 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 171 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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Mount Surprise Tourist Park

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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Bedrock Village Caravan Park 1 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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Undara Experience 28 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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Midway Caravan Park 83 km

This park is 500 metres from the town centre on the main through-road. It is a smaller park with good basic facilities and a service station completes the complex. Bookings are required in peak periods.... Find out more

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Mount Garnet Travellers Park 99 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 111 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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BIG4 Atherton Woodlands Tourist Park 155 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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Walkamin Central Van Park 163 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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Discovery Holiday Parks – Lake Tinaroo 169 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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Cardwell Beachcomber 180 km

The park is centrally located just a short distance from the centre of town and across the road from the beach (ideal for fishing). The park has good facilities and a licensed restaurant/cafe in the attached motel.... Find out more

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Undara Experience

This certainly is a surprise, with unusual accommodation in 25 restored early 20th-century wooden railway carriages, some with ensuite. The bush breakfast around the campfire is memorable, and other meals are served... Find out more

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Possum Valley Rainforest Cottages 146 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 160 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 174 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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Hinchinbrook Island Wilderness Lodge and Resort 202 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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Hidden Valley Cabins, Hidden Valley 204 km

Acclaimed as being Australia’s first completely solar-powered resort, with a restaurant, pool and room for 31 guests, this serious environmental resort is in secluded dry forest well off the Bruce Highway. It is... Find out more

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Kingfisher Park Birdwatcher’s Lodge 204 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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Daintree Eco Lodge and Spa 236 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 243 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 244 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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Tully Gorge Camp Area 146 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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