Cairns Adventure Group Waterfall Tours (Departs Cairns & Northern Beaches)

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A full day in the rainforest and on the Atherton Tablelands from Cairns or Port Douglas, with swims at Babinda Boulders, Josephine Falls, Millaa Millaa Falls and Lake Eacham. Traditional Owners take you through the 500-year-old Cathedral Fig, and lunch, morning and afternoon tea are included.

Days

Full day, about 10 hours, or 12 from Port Douglas

Age

All ages; infants under 2 on a lap

Group size

Shared coach tour

Start / finish

Cairns, Northern Beaches or Port Douglas / Atherton Tablelands / back to your start

Return

See itinerary for details

Transport

Air-conditioned coach with hotel pick-up and drop-off

Meals

Morning tea, buffet lunch and afternoon tea

Route

Map of Cairns Adventure Group Waterfall Tours (Departs Cairns & Northern Beaches)

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Included experiences

Babinda Boulders — swim in a clear rainforest creek
Josephine Falls — slide down a natural rock slide
Cathedral Fig Tree — 45-minute visit with Traditional Owners
Millaa Millaa Falls — swim below the falls
Mungalli Falls — waterfall stop on the Tablelands
Lake Eacham — swim in a volcanic crater lake

Cairns Adventure Group Waterfall Tours (Departs Cairns & Northern Beaches)

Pictures / Videos

Itinerary

Map

EARLY MORNING: PICK-UP AND SOUTH TO THE BOULDERS

Your coach and rainforest guide collect you early from Cairns City, the Northern Beaches or Port Douglas, depending on the pick-up you choose. The order of stops can change on the day, and some are at the guide's discretion. South of Cairns, Babinda Boulders is a clear creek running between smooth granite. The Yidinji people tell of Oolana, a young woman who threw herself into the water here when she was parted from her lover, and the creek is said to call to travellers. Swim only where your guide shows you. Nearby Josephine Falls sits at the foot of Bartle Frere, at 1,622 metres Queensland's highest mountain, and a 700 metre sealed path leads to a natural rock slide into the pool.

MIDDAY: THE TABLELANDS WATERFALL CIRCUIT

The road climbs onto the Atherton Tablelands, a high plateau of old volcanic soil, noticeably cooler than the coast. Mungalli Falls is a stop on the circuit, and at Millaa Millaa Falls the water drops about 18 metres over a wall of basalt columns into a round swimming pool. Take the plunge if you like; the water is fresh. A buffet lunch with vegetarian and vegan choices is served in a rainforest setting, and morning tea breaks up the drive.

AFTERNOON: THE CATHEDRAL FIG AND LAKE EACHAM

At the Cathedral Fig Tree a 45-minute visit is led by Traditional Owners, descendants of the Yidinji and Mbabaram peoples, who share stories and tools and explain the meaning of the place. The fig is about 500 years old: it began as a seed in the branches of another tree, sent its roots 50 metres to the ground and slowly strangled its host. The last swim is usually at Lake Eacham, Yidyam to the Ngadjon-Jii people, a crater lake around 65 metres deep with no creek flowing in or out. Watch the edges for turtles, then enjoy afternoon tea.

LATE AFTERNOON: PLATYPUS AND HOME

If time allows, the group stops at the platypus viewing platform on Peterson Creek in Yungaburra, one of the most reliable places in Queensland to see a wild platypus, most often in the early morning and late afternoon. Stand still, watch for rings on the water, and look for a small dark shape diving. Then the coach heads back down the range to drop you where you were collected, about 10 hours after pick-up, or about 12 from Port Douglas.

Map

Good to know

Meeting point: Pick-up from Cairns City and selected Northern Beaches accommodation, or from your Port Douglas accommodation.
Departure time: Early morning pick-up; your time is confirmed when you book.
Duration: About 10 hours, or about 12 hours return from Port Douglas.
Minimum age: No minimum. Adults are 12 and over, children 2 to 11 (who need their own seat). Infants under 2 travel free on a parent's lap, with no meal.
Fitness: Low to moderate: about 3.5 km of short, gentle walks over the day. Partly accessible for folding wheelchairs only, as some stops have steps.
Dietary needs: Vegetarian and vegan lunch options are available; tell us any dietary needs when you book.
Please note: All participants sign a release form, and under 18s need a parent or guardian to sign it at pick-up. Swimmers must be competent and able to follow the guide's instructions in English. Tell us about any medical condition before you travel. Tours run in most weather.

What to bring

Swimwear (worn under light clothes), a towel and a change of clothes
Hat, sunscreen and sunglasses
Insect repellent
Comfortable walking shoes
Refillable water bottle
A warm jacket — it gets cool in the mountains, especially after a swim
Camera

What is included

Pick-up and drop-off in Cairns City and selected Northern Beaches accommodation, or return coach transfers from Port Douglas accommodation
Air-conditioned coach and rainforest guide commentary
Cathedral Fig Tree tour with Traditional Owners
Morning and afternoon tea (tea, coffee and biscuits)
Buffet lunch with vegetarian and vegan options

Not included

Other snacks and drinks

FAQ

Preparing for the trip

Do I need travel insurance?

Insurance is important in protecting visitors from loss or damange of goods, medical problems, cancelation by passengers or other casualties. Its highly recommended. Some tours on this website require you to have travel insurance. If you are Australian then it is not necessary.

Where can I get more information about this trip?

If you find that this tour page doesn't answer all your questions, then please get in contact with us! Our passionate team are always available to answer any queries you may have.

What immunisations do I need?

For the latest information on immunisations, we strongly recommend you or contact the Travellers Medical and Vaccination Centre (www.traveldoctor.com.au) to discuss health requirements for your trip. They will advise you about appropriate inoculations.

Do I need to take any medical supplies?

It is not necessary to bring any medical supplies other than any personal items you may require. Each tour carries a first aid box, and the tour guides are all certified in First Aid.

Will I be able to use my mobile whilst on tour?

You can use your mobile while touring in Australia or New Zealand, but coverage may be limited in remote areas. For best connectivity, consider purchasing a local SIM card or an international roaming plan.

How fit do I need to be?

These tours are designed to be fun, informative and active, and can be enjoyed by anyone with a moderate degree of fitness and agility. Travellers should be comfortable with hiking or walking up to 5km each day.

What should I pack?

Depending on where in Australia or New Zealand you decide to visit, your luggage will vary. For exact information please visit the "What to bring" section of each tour page.

Private tours and families

Is it possible to travel in a private group?

If you are looking for a private tour based on one of these trips, please contact us directly and we may be able to help. Over the years we have worked with families, groups of friends, schools, clubs and charities to put together the perfect trip.

Booking the trip

Do I have to book this tour online?

Definitely not. Our website is designed to make is easy and convenient for you to schedule your tour. However we understand sometimes its nice to talk to someone directly. So by all means give us a call and we can organise your trip over the phone.

If I book more than one tour can I get a discount?

Absolutely! If you are booking multiple tours then we may be able to offer you a discount. Send us an email at info@lostinaustralia.org and let us know what you thinking of doing and we can put together a price for you.Also, be sure to look out for monthly specials on tours. We often have some great bargains.

Does the tour price include flights?

No. Tour prices do not include any travel arrangements other than for the duration of the tour itself. If you need assistance with booking flights or buses our travel team and certainly help - Just ask!

How far in advance do I need to book my tour?

As a rule of thumb, try to book at least 2 weeks prior to departure, this will usually get you a seat on the date you want. That being said, we cannot guarantee that spaces will be available at the time of your booking so, if you can, book as soon as possible. Bookings can still be made right up until the departure date of the tour if seats are available. If you know when you'd like to travel, please contact us and we will let you know if you need to book soon or if you have time.

How do I know when a tour is available?

You can check the departure dates of tours by using our calendar on the top right hand corner of the tour page. This will tell you what days the tour departs. For availability of seats please contact us directly at info@lostinaustralia.org or call us.

If I make a deposit only, when will I need to pay the balance?

Balance on tours need to be paid at least 30 days prior to departure. Failure to do so could result is the cancellation of your seat with a fee charged. If you need more time to clear your balance then let us know ASAP and arrangements can be made.

Who travels with us

Is it ok to travel alone on one of these tours?

Plenty of travellers book these tours on their own. Solo travellers are very much welcomed and encouraged. During your outback adventure you'll meet new and interesting people and forge relationships that last a lifetime.Solo travellers will usually share a room with a travelling companion of the same sex, but even if you do get your own room you won't be charged extra. On camping tours there are generally enough tents available that you can have your own if you choose to.For more information please contact us directly.

Cost and Fees

Do I need to tip the guide?

If you had an amazing time on tour and wish to tip your guide, that is completely up to you. Tipping is not customary in Australia and is not at all expected.

Will I need additional money?

Travellers are advised to bring some cash, as ATMs and banks can be few and far between in the remote parts of the trip. It is handy to have some extra cash, as the tour does stop by local shops and cafes.

Are there any hidden fees I need to know about?

Our tour prices are completely transparent. There are no additional fees involved that are not included in the overall tour price shown. If you wish to do optional activities such as helicopter rides or wildlife safaris, then an extra cost may be needed. However, this will always be made clear at the time of your booking.

What does Paid Locally mean?

Some tours require you to pay national park fees directly, in cash, to the tour guide on the morning of departure. Rest assured this will be subtracted from the tour price when reserving your tour.

Whilst on tour

Can I book extra accommodation for the start and end of the tour?

We know our country inside and out and would be happy to give you good recommodations. Please contact us for recommendations.

Where do I meet the tour?

For pick-up times and locations, please check the "Start/Finish" section directly under the itinerary, which lists every pick-up point and its time.There is a lot of information there to help you plan your flights and arrival.Please review it carefully, as pick-ups can vary from tour to tour.

Reviews

5.0

Based on 3 reviews

Verified from

Real reviews from travellers who've done this tour, gathered from around the web and paraphrased.

How we collect and publish reviews

Where they come from. Our reviews are gathered from independent review sites and from guests who share feedback with us directly after their trip. They come from people who have actually travelled on the tour. Some longer trips are made up of shorter tours we also sell, run back to back — where a review was written about one of those legs, the review says so.

Why some are edited. Many of our guests travel in their second or third language. Where a review is hard to read, we lightly edit spelling, grammar and punctuation, or paraphrase a sentence for clarity. We never change the rating, the meaning or the sentiment, and we never write a review on a guest's behalf.

Reading the originals. Reviews sourced from public review sites appear there in their original form, and can be read in full at their original source at any time.

(5/5)

A fab day on the waterfalls tour, and Ian was a brilliant guide with great information about every stop.

Holly Oatley Verified· Travelled 8th October 2026

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(5/5)

Our guide and driver John is a Cairns local who knows everything worth knowing, and he was witty, charming and friendly to all. For a full day of beautiful waterfalls, swimming holes and scenery, ask for John.

John McCarthy Verified· Travelled 7th October 2026

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(5/5)

A long but amazing day around the Atherton Tablelands to some incredible waterfalls, with a comfortable bus and plenty to eat at lunch.

R Vicary Verified· Travelled 7th October 2026

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