The elevation, rainfall and soil types in the Atherton Tablelands has produced an incredibly diverse and beautiful region. There is a prolific diversity in natural flora and fauna, ranging from tropical highland rainforests to dry tropical savannah. In addition, historic volcanic activity, water, soils and diverse growing conditions have supported development of a wide range of agricultural and horticultural cropping operations. The region’s farmers and support services represent, in most cases, best international practice in farming in a tropical environment.
We combine a fabulously invigorating trek & pilates program with a full day of sampling the culinary delights to be found here. A wonderful opportunity to escape day to day life, reconnect with nature and enjoy all the Tablelands has to offer.
NOTES:
Cairns
This morning we head to Stoney Creek for the first of our Guided Hikes to Barron Falls (approx 10 km). This is a delightful hike with regular views to Cairns, Trinity Bay and the northern beaches.
After spending some time at Barron Falls, we will board our bus for the short drive to Kuranda for lunch (own cost) and some sightseeing.
Back on the bus we make our way to Atherton, check into accommodation and relax before enjoying our first pilates session on our outside deck.
Later we will have our first dinner with group, including a pre-trek briefing. (D)
Our day will start with a pilates session before our foodie tour commences.
We will travel by bus to an idyllic country farm, where we will enjoy a scrumptious breakfast in a lovely gazebo. The day continues with several stops where we will taste a wide variety of foods from this rich agricultural area, including cheeses, chutneys, chocolates, yoghurts, fruit & nuts.
This is followed by a visit to a distillery producing vodka, gin, whisky and rum, and finished off with Tablelands coffee. Optional pilates session (if you can!) (B/L/D)
A morning stretch to set us up for our next trekking day, working off what we ate yesterday!
Though shorter, some sections of this track mean a steeper climb, so it will certainly get our hearts started. We trek through a variety of terrain, with a short exposed section undertaken early in the day before the heat. Our climbs along this well maintained track are rewarded with beautiful views of the Atherton Tablelands, and, hopefully, some good bird sightings.
After we complete our trek, we will board our bus and make our way to Yungaburra where we will visit the Curtain Fig Tree and the Avenue of Honour. We will have some time to explore the town before we meet for dinner at the Lake Eacham Hotel (own cost) (B/L)
We check out after breakfast and pack the bus for our trip home.
Our first stop will be the Millaa Millaa Falls, one of the most photographed falls in Australia so make sure you have your camera handy. Mungali Creek Dairy is our next stop for morning tea.
The day wouldn’t be complete without another hike and the pleasant walk around the crater lake of Lake Barrine is the perfect way to finish. Lunch at the Lake Barrine Teahouse and we then make our way back into Cairns and say goodbye (B/L)
