Tropical paradise to outback glory. Winding through World Heritage beauty, natural wonders, relaxing hot springs and endless red dirts merging seamlessly into a red horizon. This roadtrip has it all, and in a relatively short stretch. Easy travel for a day!
The Journey
Leg 1 - Cairns - Atherton (1hr 15mins)
Hit the road up the winding range toward good old A-town – Atherton! We recommend taking off at around 9am, which will get you up onto the Tablelands by 10.30am – coincidentally, the perfect time for morning tea.
It’s a safe bet to head out to Lake Barrine. Nestled into stunning World Heritage rainforest, Lake Barrine is actually a water filled crater left by a volcanic eruption approximately 10,000 years ago. While contemplating the wildlife, the history and the outlook, we recommend the morning tea at Lake Barrine teahouse. Classic tea and scones come with jam and cream to fuel you up for the road ahead.
Leg 2 - Atherton to Mount Garnet (1 hr 25 mins)
After this leg, it’ll be nearing lunchtime. You’ve got choices ahead of you!
Option 1: Stop at the Innot Hot Springs for a soak before heading into Mt Garnet for lunch. Innot Hot Spring are super relaxing natural mineral springs, located right off the highway between Ravenshoe and Mt Garnet. These hot (super hot in some places!) springs are rejuvenating and healing – a hundred years ago the water was even bottled and shipped to Europe! Relax those muscles and then get into Mt Garnet for a bite.
Option 2: Drop into Mt Garnet and acquire some snacks for a picnic. Drive onto Forty Mile Scrub National Park (38 mins out of Mt Garnet) and enjoy your lunch in sight of ancient and recent volcanic flows, open grassy woodland and the headwaters of several creeks.
Leg 3 - Mount Garnet to Georgetown (2hrs 30 mins)
Now, this leg is touch and go depending on how you spent the rest of your day – or if you’ve decided to set off the day before!
If you really soaked in the joys of your earlier stops, you’ll need to keep going and enjoy the scenery. This landscape is mineral-rich, volcanic land. If you’ve made a weekend trip of it, stop at Undara Lava Tubes for a guided tour through giant caverns carved out by flowing lava hundreds of years ago. Or, if you’re a self-guided sort, keep going to Mt Surprise, and go fossicking! You never know what you’ll find….
You want to be arriving in Georgetown and checking into your accomodation by 5.30pm – once the sun starts setting, kangaroos and other wildlife rule the roads!
Final leg - walk down to the hall!
Georgetown is a quaint little town and chances are you can stretch your legs and walk down to the hall. Doors open at 6.30pm for a 7pm start!
Get your tickets online via the button below and we’ll donate $2 of every ticket purchased online to Rural Aid.
Additional tip: If you’ve made it into town early, The Jellyman’s Daughter will be hosting a raucous ceilidh dancing workshop from 3.30pm – 4.30pm! Come and get your merry dance on…