Getting to the Atherton Tablelands

There are four ways to get to the Atherton Tablelands from the coast.

• Gillies Highway
• Kuranda Highway
• Rex Range Road
• Palmerston Highway

Your choice of route will depend on where you are starting from, and what other attractions in Tropical North Queensland you want to see during your day.

From Cairns:

Gillies Highway

When travelling to the Atherton Tablelands from Cairns, there are two roads you can take. One begins at the southern side of Cairns, the other from the north. The Gillies Highway ascends the mountain ranges starting at the small town of Gordonvale. (24km south of Cairns) There is good signage along the way so it’s difficult to get lost. At the top of the range, you drive past the turnoff to Lake Barrine and Lake Eacham, until you arrive at Yungaburra.

This range is only 16 kms long and takes approximately 35 minutes to travel. The views are magnificent, and the cool mountain air most invigorating.

Kuranda Highway

At the Smithfield Shopping Centre roundabout, a large sign will direct you to turn to the left. This is the very start of the Kuranda Highway.
This gentle road is a pleasure to drive. The rainforest is lush and green, and the views of the Coral Sea are spectacular. At the top of the range is the village of Kuranda, but if you continue on your drive you will eventually reach Mareeba. The flora along this road varies from thick rainforest to Australian scrub. If you intend to continue past Mareeba, you will turn left at the major intersection. This long straight road will take you to the tiny township of Tolga, and then onto Atherton or Lake Tinaroo.

From Port Douglas, Mossman or Daintree Rainforest:

Rex Range Road

The Rex Range is regarded as the most beautiful ways to travel to the Atherton Tablelands. This road begins at the base of the mountains near Port Douglas (69km north of Cairns), so it is ideal if you’re visiting Port Douglas in the morning and then intend to head up the mountains in the afternoon. Alternatively, you could make this trip in reverse.
12 kilometres north of Port Douglas, the Rex Highway takes you through the Mossman sugar cane paddocks before climbing the mountain to Julatten and Mt Molloy.

From Innisfail:

Palmerston Highway

Starting at Innisfail (93km south of Cairns), the Palmerston Highway stretches through Wet Tropics rainforests of Johnstone River Valley to Millaa Millaa. Picnic areas, waterfalls and camping grounds can be found along the way. Although this is the longest route from Cairns to the Atherton Tablelands, many people believe it is the easiest drive and the most scenic route. If you can allow about an hour and a half for travelling time, and are keen to see as much of the tropical north as you can, the Palmerston Highway may be a good choice for you.

To reach the highway, drive south from Cairns through the cane fields and banana plantations until you reach Innisfail. At this town, good signage is located beside the main roads providing directions to the start of the highway. The highway is in very good condition so vehicles can maintain 100km/h for almost the entire length.

For convenient car rentals in the Cairns area, try these:

• Cairns Car Rental, Cairns Australia. Phone (07) 40313348
• All Day Car Rental - Online Australia-wide car rental at an affordable price.
• ABC Integra Car Rental, Cairns Australia. For car rental, phone toll free 1800 067 414. For Campervan or motorhome rental, phone toll free 1800 226 636. (Please note: toll free phone numbers are within Australia only)
• Billabong Car Rentals, Cairns, Australia. Car hire from $33 per day ranging from compact economy cars to prestige models. Phone 1800 354 299