Atherton Tablelands

What you gain

• ↑Lake Eacham and Lake Barrine (volcanic crater lakes in the Crater Lakes National Park) are the finest freshwater swimming in Queensland: the crystal-clear lake water, the rainforest surrounding, and the freshwater turtles visible in the shallows create a swimming experience entirely unlike anything on the coast — freshwater swimming is free of stingers year-round
• ↑Platypus swimming at Hypipamee National Park (night) and the Millaa Millaa waterhole (dawn) provides platypus sightings in their natural habitat: one of Australia's most elusive mammals is reliable in these locations at the correct times, making the Tablelands the most accessible platypus viewing in north Queensland
• ↑Millaa Millaa Falls and the waterfall circuit (Zillie Falls, Ellinjaa Falls, Millaa Millaa Falls) represent the most beautiful waterfall landscape in Queensland: the 17km circuit, driveable in 1.5 hours, produces multiple 15–20 metre falls surrounded by green volcanic rainforest in a way entirely unlike the dry season waterfalls of the Top End

What you sacrifice

• ↓The Atherton Tablelands requires a car: public transport connections from Cairns are limited to a single bus service that does not cover the main attractions — the crater lakes, platypus sites, and waterfall circuit all require independent transport
• ↓The elevation creates weather patterns independent of the coast: the Tablelands can be overcast and drizzly when Cairns is clear, and the 700m altitude means temperatures can drop to 10°C at night in July and August