AT the top of a scenic drive through the rainforest lies the village of Kuranda, the perfect entry point to the cool Atherton Tableland.

Known as the "village in the rainforest", Kuranda is home to a number of interesting sights and activities.

The village – about 30 minutes by car or bus from Cairns – can also be reached via the scenic Kuranda Railway.

This is an historical trip that winds its way up the mountain via tunnels and bridges built more than 100 years ago, traversing World Heritage-listed rainforest in the Barron Gorge National Park.

Another way to experience both the rainforest and fantastic views is to ride the unique Skyrail Rainforest Cableway that takes a 7.5km trip over the top of the rainforest, just metres above the canopy.

There are several ranger station stops along the way that give you direct access to the rainforest and informative rainforest guides.

Once you reach Kuranda, you can do a spot of shopping in the interesting craft shops and markets or get up close and personal with wildlife at the Australian Butterfly Sanctuary, Kuranda Koala Gardens and Birdworld.

With several accommodation options, Kuranda is a good starting point for exploring the Atherton Tableland.

Between 600m and 1100m above sea level, the Atherton Tableland offers a cool climate change.

Dotted with picturesque country towns and villages, the area is home to fantastic bed and breakfasts and accommodation houses, delightful food and wine tours and outlets including coffee plantations, organic dairies, heritage-listed national parks and pristine waterfalls.

The Atherton Tableland is also the gateway to the Cairns region’s Outback destinations such as the unique Undara Lava Tubes and old mining towns like Chillagoe.

You can also experience many adventure activities such as hot-air ballooning, skydiving, ATV riding, horse riding, helicopter flying and strenuous hiking.

Cairns’ very own lakes district, featuring the volcanic lakes Barrine and Eacham and the massive Lake Tinaroo, provides visitors with the perfect opportunity to get up close to local flora and fauna.

Lakes Eacham and Barrine feature pleasant nature walks, fish spotting and swimming, while the latter is home to the famous Lake Barrine Tea House.

Lake Tinaroo is home to watersports of all kinds, along with great barramundi fishing tours and adventure activities including bushwalking, kayaking and camping.

Atherton offers country charm, cute cafes and relaxed accommodation as well as attractions such as the Crystal Caves, Hou Wang, the oldest Chinese temple in Australia, and the nearby Birds of Prey Show.

You can enjoy great food in the quaint villages of Yungaburra and Tolga, home to the must-visit roadside food outlet of The Humpy.

Visit the amazing Curtain Fig Tree and bathe in crystal clear water at Malanda Falls and Millaa Millaa Falls.

The lush, rolling green hills of Malanda and Millaa Millaa lie further south of Atherton and Yungaburra, in stark scenic contrast to the drier countryside around Herberton, Ravenshoe and Tolga.

The Herberton area is home to old buildings, deserted mines, rugged landscapes and local art.

The recently renovated Herberton Historic Village has ensured that much of this unique heritage has been preserved.

The whole region has various hiking trails and national parks that have everything from gentle strolls to serious hikes.

Further west is the centre of Ravenshoe, the gateway to the incredible Savannah Way.

More:

• Kuranda attractions
• Atherton Tableland attractions
• Atherton Tableland accommodation
• Tableland food tours

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