Cairns Holiday Specialists BlogCHS Blog

Atherton Tablelands Tour from Cairns or Port Douglas

Posted on August 18, 2017 by Sophie Tabouel

If you are a lover of nature, cheese, wine, coffee, fresh local produce and breathtaking views of a tropical wonderland and you will be holidaying in Cairns or  Port Douglas then Brett’s Atherton Tablelands tour is a must do!

It was my weekend and I had the day off to go on a free familiarisation tour as a Tour Specialist agent so I hope you enjoy reading my blog about the day here.

The Tropics in North Queensland are well known for its diversity in wildlife, flora and fauna.  Enjoy exciting birding, tropical rainforest and National Parks while driven around by Brett, our very knowledgeable tour guide who is just burning with a passion to showcase the mountainous outback region of Cairns to as many people he can possibly accommodate. Brett is a real delight to spend a day with and the things he will show you and tell you will be remember for a life time!

After being collected from our accommodation in Port Douglas we made our way up the mountain ranges towards the beautiful Atherton Tablelands our first stop was  Lake Barrine,  which is in a National Park, for breakfast at an historical tea house surrounded by the beautiful lake.

The breakfast table was decorated with the fruits of the tropics and we were served with warm banana pancakes, local yogurt, tropical fruit and coffee made from the natural water from the lake. After brekky we had a little walk through the national park to inspect the 2 very tall twin Kauri trees peeking out the top toward the sunlight.

We then headed up the road to Gallo Dairyland which is famous for their locally made cheese and chocolates. There are 16 flavours of cheese available and we tasted 6 different ones with crackers.

We were lucky enough to also see the very fat and healthy looking Gallo cows walking up from the paddocks toward us, one after the other for their second milking of the day. An awesome sight!

The Humpy was our next stop where we could buy locally grown produce from the tablelands. We had tastings of their very own delicious gluten free ice cream and gelato, the very sweet tropical fruits and hot nuts all grown locally.  Then off again on a wonderful drive through outback countryside with spectacular views on our way to visit.

Mount Uncle Distillery where the finest local Australian Craft Spirits are produced. Tastings of Gin, Vodka and liqueurs before heading into the dining area for yummy pizza, salads and another tasting of beer this time, brewed in their new family owned brewery.  After lunch we strolled through the farmyard to see the rescued animals that are nursed back to health. Brace yourself, as we were then driven through more beautiful rolling countryside to another winery, feeling joyful!

De Brueys Boutique Winery for more tastings of deliciously different and an award-winning top of the range of tropical fruit wines, liqueurs and ports. Tropical fruit trees were planted to supply fruit for the other wines they were planning, including jaboticaba, lychee, mulberry and bush cherry. Much attention has been paid to preserving the natural open woodland surroundings, with their population of kangaroos and wallabies, possums, native quolls, not to mention the extensive birdlife including rosella parrots, rainbow lorikeets, black and white cockatoos, wedge tail eagles and kestrels. Off down the road again to a very much needed coffee at this stage.

 

Jaques, is a family owned coffee plantation and with the world’s first mechanical coffee harvester.  The coffee boasting a smooth and vibrant unique flavour served with scones, jam and cream. (more food)! Next and last stop is in a Rainforest Retreat hidden away in paradise surrounded by Dinden National Park and the World Heritage Wet Tropics, an ecological wonder, and home to many species of birds, wallabies, platypus, possums, lizards, pademelons and more.  This is a perfect place for bird watching and walks when you stay on the Atherton Tablelands. We were served with Queensland wines and then we took a walk down to the cool refreshing mountain streams and pools to enjoy the peace and ambience.

After an amazing day out with Brett we then headed back down the Kuranda Range to our Port Douglas accommodation.

As a Tour Specialists agent I am lucky enough to experience lots of these wonderful Cairns tours on our website here quite often to upgrade my knowledge and skills so that I may be able to assist our guests in matching the best tour to suit their needs, wants, desires and capabilities and I can say that this day tour is one of the most entertaining and yummy tours I have experienced from Port Douglas yet!

Thank you very much for such a brilliant day Brett!

And for the readers who liked what you read we recommend you read some more about this Food Lovers tour here. You can always call us on 07 4059 5959 and we can tell you more and even recommend other tours for your holiday time in Tropical North Queensland Australia.

Author: Trish Fryer