Map of Atherton Tablelands – Waterfalls, Towns & Tropical North Queensland Guide

Map of Atherton Tablelands – Waterfalls, Towns & Tropical North Queensland Guide

This map of the Atherton Tablelands provides an overview of one of Tropical North Queensland’s most scenic inland regions, including towns, waterfalls, lakes, rainforest areas, national parks and major attractions. It is designed for general reference, travel planning and understanding how the Atherton Tablelands are laid out.

Located inland from Cairns, the Atherton Tablelands are known for waterfalls, crater lakes, rainforest drives, farming landscapes, wildlife, food trails and cooler highland scenery.

Quick Answer:

The Atherton Tablelands are located inland from Cairns in Tropical North Queensland. Major towns and attractions include Atherton, Mareeba, Kuranda, Yungaburra, Lake Eacham, Millaa Millaa Falls and the Waterfall Circuit.

Interactive Atherton Tablelands Map (Reference View) Use this map to explore towns, waterfalls, lakes, rainforest areas and scenic drives throughout the Atherton Tablelands.
Tip: Atherton Tablelands maps are useful for planning waterfall drives, rainforest visits and day trips from Cairns.

Map data © OpenStreetMap contributors

This Atherton Tablelands map highlights towns, waterfalls, lakes, national parks, scenic roads and major visitor attractions.


Where Are the Atherton Tablelands Located?

The Atherton Tablelands are located in Far North Queensland, inland and southwest of Cairns. The region sits on elevated land behind the tropical coast and forms part of the wider Tropical North Queensland tourism area.

  • East: Cairns and the coast
  • North: Kuranda and Mareeba direction
  • South: Millaa Millaa and Innisfail direction
  • West: inland savannah and rural Queensland

Main Towns and Attractions of the Atherton Tablelands

  • Atherton — central town and regional service hub
  • Mareeba — major northern tablelands town
  • Kuranda — rainforest village near Cairns
  • Yungaburra — historic village near crater lakes
  • Malanda — dairy and rainforest district
  • Millaa Millaa — waterfall region
  • Lake Eacham — volcanic crater lake
  • Lake Barrine — scenic crater lake
  • Millaa Millaa Falls — famous waterfall
  • Waterfall Circuit — popular scenic drive

Major Areas of the Atherton Tablelands Explained

  • Northern Tablelands — Mareeba, Kuranda and surrounding dry tropics
  • Central Tablelands — Atherton, Yungaburra and crater lake areas
  • Southern Tablelands — Malanda, Millaa Millaa and waterfall country
  • Rainforest Areas — protected forests, walks and wildlife habitats
  • Farming Districts — dairy, coffee, fruit and agricultural landscapes

Key Geographic Features

  • Crater lakes — including Lake Eacham and Lake Barrine
  • Waterfalls — major scenic feature across the region
  • Wet Tropics rainforest — World Heritage-listed ecosystems nearby
  • Elevated highland terrain — cooler inland setting
  • Farming landscapes — major part of the regional character
  • Rainforest and savannah transition zones — diverse natural environments

Atherton Tablelands Transport and Road Map Overview

A map of the Atherton Tablelands is useful for understanding the region’s scenic drives and road links from Cairns.

  • Kennedy Highway — major route between Cairns, Kuranda and Mareeba
  • Gillies Range Road — scenic route from Gordonvale to Yungaburra
  • Palmerston Highway — connects southern tablelands with the coast
  • Waterfall Circuit roads — connect Millaa Millaa-area waterfalls
  • Local touring routes — connect villages, farms and natural attractions

Why People Search for a Map of the Atherton Tablelands

  • To locate waterfalls and scenic drives
  • To plan day trips from Cairns
  • To find crater lakes and rainforest walks
  • To understand the layout of towns and attractions
  • To explore inland Tropical North Queensland

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Atherton Tablelands Map FAQs

  • Where are the Atherton Tablelands located?
    The Atherton Tablelands are located inland from Cairns in Far North Queensland.
  • What are the Atherton Tablelands known for?
    The region is known for waterfalls, crater lakes, rainforest areas, farming landscapes and scenic drives.
  • What are the main towns in the Atherton Tablelands?
    Main towns include Atherton, Mareeba, Kuranda, Yungaburra, Malanda and Millaa Millaa.
  • Can you visit the Atherton Tablelands from Cairns?
    Yes. Many visitors explore the Atherton Tablelands as a day trip or multi-day drive from Cairns.

This page is not affiliated with or endorsed by any government authority, tourism organisation, mapping provider or official organisation.

Disclaimer: This page is provided for general informational purposes only. Maps are reference views and may not be complete, current, to scale or suitable for navigation, surveying, emergency use or official determinations. Road conditions, weather, track access, closures and visitor facilities may change over time. Always verify current information before travel.