Kuranda Village Markets

428 votes

Open since 1978, the rainforest-shaded Original and Heritage markets brim with Indigenous art, global street food and buskers on didgeridoo. A five-minute stroll from most homes in the village, the markets provide instant weekend buzz and a steady stream of tourist foot-traffic for local cafés.

2

Barron Falls Lookout

392 votes

A cantilevered boardwalk leads to jaw-dropping views of Barron Gorge, where wet-season torrents plunge 125 metres into misty rainforest. Residents slip up for sunset photography or visiting relatives’ “wow-moment” without the tour-bus crowds.

3

Skyrail Rainforest Cableway (Kuranda Station)

357 votes

Gondolas glide silently above World-Heritage canopy to Smithfield in 45 minutes, adding an unforgettable school-holiday outing or an alternative commute to Cairns. Locals enjoy discounted passes—handy when friends drop in.

4

Mareeba CBD (Byrnes St)

333 votes

Palm-lined Byrnes Street mixes heritage facades with multicultural eateries and the famous Saturday growers’ market. Daily errands, barista coffee and government services stay local, keeping hinterland residents off the Bruce Highway run to Cairns.

5

Mareeba Heritage Museum & Visitor Centre

289 votes

Vintage rail carriages, WWII stories and free local advice make this open-air museum a must-stop for road-trippers. The steady tourist pickup underpins coffee-shop trade and short-stay bookings across the Tablelands.

6

Lake Barrine & Historic Teahouse

267 votes

Crystal-clear crater waters, 1 000-year-old Kauri pines and a 1920s timber teahouse serving famed scones create an idyllic Sunday ritual just 30 minutes from Kuranda township.

7

Yungaburra Village (Cedar St)

231 votes

Federation-era shopfronts host artisan galleries, farm-gate cafés and the last Saturday markets, giving Yungaburra a laid-back, creative heartbeat that’s irresistible for tree-changers.

8

Gillies Range Road Scenic Drive

219 votes

With 263 hair-pin bends and misty rainforest drop-offs, the Gillies offers one of Queensland’s most thrilling commutes—Cairns beaches in 70 minutes, cooler Tablelands breezes by dinner.

9

Coffee Works Mareeba

184 votes

Unlimited tastings of locally grown arabica, bean-to-bar chocolate tours and a vintage espresso museum make this roastery a caffeine lover’s pilgrimage and a reliable Sunday outing for locals.

10

Davies Creek National Park

173 votes

Granite boulder swimming holes, tiered waterfalls and purpose-built mountain-bike loops offer adventure without the tourist congestion—ideal for after-work dips or sunrise trail-rides.

11

Emerald Creek Falls

161 votes

A short bush track reveals multi-tier cascades plunging over pink granite into cool plunge pools. Picnic rocks and dragon-fly photo ops make this a favourite summer cooldown for Mareeba families.

12

Kuranda Scenic Railway Station

149 votes

Heritage carriages clatter down 15 hand-cut tunnels and across rainforest-draped bridges to Cairns—a century-old engineering marvel that doubles as a gliding office commute with Wi-Fi and barista coffee on board.

13

Barron Gorge National Park

137 votes

UNESCO-listed rainforest, cassowary habitat and the steepest funicular in Australia combine for serious eco-cred just beyond the village—an everyday backyard like no other.

14

Lake Eacham (Crater Lake)

126 votes

Swim-safe emerald waters, pontoon jumps and a 3-km rainforest loop trail make this volcanic lake a year-round retreat—platypus sightings at dawn are a free bonus.

15

Tinaroo Dam & Foreshore Park

118 votes

Water-ski regattas, red-claw pots and lakeside camping keep weekends lively around the 22-sq-km reservoir; sunset beers on platypus point seal the lifestyle deal.

16

Tolga Bat Hospital

107 votes

Orphaned flying-fox pups wrapped in tiny blankets melt hearts on daily tours, while the research facility cements the region’s conservation reputation—great for eco-tourism rentals.

17

Mareeba Tropical Savannah Botanic Gardens

96 votes

95 hectares of eucalypt woodland showcase termite mounds, bush-tucker trails and a Wet-Season Lagoon alive with brolgas—a peaceful lunch-break alternative to the coast’s busy esplanades.

18

Barron River White-Water Launch

88 votes

Grade-3 rapids carve through rainforest-lined canyons, offering 2-hour adrenaline bursts that finish back at your car—no alpine road-trip required.

19

Mt Hypipamee Crater & Picnic Area

71 votes

A 70-metre sheer-walled volcanic pipe hides lily-covered waters, accessible via a fern-fringed path. Golden bowerbirds and waterfall swims nearby make it an unbeatable day-trip loop.

20

Kennedy Highway Access (Kuranda Range)

63 votes

The 8.5 km Kuranda Range section links rainforest villages to Cairns Airport in 35 minutes off-peak, ensuring residents enjoy hinterland tranquillity without sacrificing city jobs or early-morning flight connections.

Area Hotlist — Tablelands (East) - Kuranda QLD