Explore the Atherton Tablelands
Your guide to our favourite parts of the Atherton Tablelands
Discover Lake Eacham, Lake Barrine, Curtain Fig Tree, and more.
Find the best waterfalls, cafes, breweries, strawberry farms, and local experiences – all within 15 minutes of Hitching Rail Retreat.
Things To Do
Lake Eacham
Take a refreshing swim at Lake Eacham. This crystal-clear volcanic crater lake is surrounded by rainforest and is perfect for a peaceful morning swim or lakeside picnic.
Peterson Creek Walking Track
Spot wildlife along the boardwalk. Follow the peaceful track through rainforest and wetlands for your best chance to glimpse a platypus in the wild at dawn or dusk.
Curtain Fig
This 500-year-old strangler fig creates a spectacular curtain of aerial roots – one of the most photographed natural features on the Tablelands.
Places To Eat
Lake Barrine Tea House
Take a trip out to the famous tea house. Enjoy Devonshire tea with lake views, then take the 5km rainforest walking track around the crater rim.
Gallo’s Dairy Farm
Visit Gallo’s Dairyland Farm, a cafe serving fresh coffee, delicious hand-crafted chocolate and award-winning gourmet cheese.
Shaylee’s Strawberry Farm
Shaylee’s Strawberry Farm is a family-owned farm between Atherton and Yungaburra, offering strawberry picking or indulging in their famous gelato.
Our Place ResturantÂ
Yungaburra’s heart‑and‑soul dining spot, serving fresh local Australian‑Mediterranean cuisine with Tablelands produce in a relaxed, fully licensed setting focused on genuine local hospitality.
The Gillies Cafe and Bar
Gillies Café Atherton — the locals’ go‑to spot for fresh homestyle meals, great coffee, and warm country hospitality, just three peaceful minutes out of town in a relaxed rural setting.
Mr Belson Cafe
Mr Belson is a licensed cafe in Yungaburra serving delicious locally sourced Atherton Tablelands food, great coffee in a relaxed dining atmosphere. Breakfast, lunch and Friday nights.
Breweries and Distilleries
Billycart Brewing Co.
A locally owned and proudly independent craft brewery and taproom, located in Atherton. Their beers are brewed locally in small batches and available in cans for takeaway.
Mt Uncle Distillery
Award‑winning Australian spirits crafted in Walkamin, offering rum, gin, agave and whisky, beautiful tropical grounds, and a true Atherton Tablelands tasting experience.
Eventide Hills Distillery
Authentically handcrafted gin and vodka made on the pristine Atherton Tablelands, celebrating local ingredients, sustainable craft, and the region’s unique mountainous character.
Great Tours To Go On
The Crystal Caves
See this impressive collection of crystals and fossils. This family-run attraction showcases stunning specimens from Far North Queensland and around the world in a recreated cave setting.
Eyes on Wildlife
Expert‑guided birding and wildlife tours across the Atherton Tablelands, offering close‑up encounters with rare species and unforgettable nocturnal, birding and conservation‑focused experiences.
Rainforest To Bush
 Immersive Aboriginal cultural experiences across Yidinji and Mbabaram homelands, sharing stories, guided walks, bushcraft, and deep connection to Atherton Tablelands landscapes.
Local Produce Shop
Winter and Mann
Yungaburra’s curated boutique showcasing local fashion, gourmet foods and unique gifts, celebrating North Queensland makers and distinctive style, open seven days for visitors.
Yunguburra Butchery
Premium locally sourced meats, traditional smallgoods and specialty cuts, proudly supporting Atherton Tablelands farmers with quality, freshness and genuine old‑fashioned service.
The Humpy
A place FULL of SURPRISES!! Fruit & Vege Local & Aussie Nuts, Tea & Coffee, Ice -Cream, Beef Jerky, Dried Mango, Sauces, Jams, confectionery, spices, Gluten Free Products, Devine Biscuits, Local Dairy products much more
Hitching Rail Blog
3 Days on the Atherton Tablelands: The Perfect Itinerary for Couples
Slow, scenic and soul‑filling moments — with Hitching Rail Retreat as your peaceful base. This 3‑day itinerary is designed for over‑50 couples who enjoy wildlife, heritage, scenic drives and...
2 Days on the Atherton Tablelands: The Perfect Itinerary for Couples
Slow, scenic and soul‑filling moments — with Hitching Rail Retreat as your peaceful base. If you’re an over‑50 couple looking for a gentle, meaningful escape in North Queensland, a two‑day...
Slow Travel After 50: The New Way to Reconnect & Restore
A New Kind of Travel Is Emerging — And Over‑50 Couples Are Leading It Across Australia, more and more couples over 50 are stepping away from rushed itineraries, crowded attractions, and the...
One Day on the Atherton Tablelands: The Perfect Itinerary for Couples
Sixty minutes from Cairns, the world slows right down. The Atherton Tablelands sits above the coast in a green, misty pocket of Tropical North Queensland — and for couples who've done the...
Best free things to do on the Atherton Tablelands
10 of the Best Free Things to Do on the Atherton Tablelands for Couples If you’re visiting the Atherton Tablelands as a couple, you don’t need to spend much to have a memorable experience....
Hitching Rail Retreat – Romantic Getaways for Couples Over 40
Romantic Getaways for Couples Over 40: What Actually Makes Them Special? When people search for a romantic getaway later in life, they’re not looking for the same thing they were in their...
Tastes of the Atherton Tablelands – Food and Alcohol guide
There’s something special about the Atherton Tablelands. Maybe it’s the rich volcanic soil.Maybe it’s the cooler mountain air.Or maybe it’s the kind of people who choose to build their lives here —...
Most romantic things to do on the Atherton Tablelands
Besides a 2-night stay in one of our romantic restored train carriages and upgrading to our romantic package to really spoil your special person here are 3 other things you can do. Romance less...
Hidden Gems: Activities on the Atherton Tablelands
The Atherton Tablelands is known for its waterfalls, crater lakes and rolling green farmland — but ask any local and they’ll tell you the real magic lives just off the main road. Beyond the...
Discover Unique Wildlife on the Atherton Tablelands
The Atherton Tablelands is where nature still rules. Here, ancient rainforests hum with life, clear creeks hide shy creatures, and the air shimmers with the flash of rare butterflies. For wildlife...