Places and Drives - The Tablelands - Danbulla Forest Drive

The 27km (17 mile) Danbulla Forest Drive can take a couple of hours or a couple of days to explore, providing access to a host of picnic areas, swimming holes, camping sites and walking tracks only an hour from Cairns. The gravel road winds through pine plantations and World Heritage listed rainforest along the edge of Lake Tinaroo. Built in 1959, the lake was the first large irrigation dam in Queensland. It attracts hundreds of fishermen, water skiers, windsurfers and campers on weekends. Luckily it is enormous - bigger than Sydney Harbour - so it's easy to escape the crowds. The campsites and attractions are clearly signposted at regular intervals along the drive.
Camping is available at Platypus Rock, Downfall Creek, Kauri Creek, Fong-on Bay and School Point. Scenic stops and short walks can be found at Lake Euramoo, the School House, Kauri Creek (2.5 and 5km (1.5 and 3 mile) walks), Mobo Crater, the Chimneys and the Cathedral Fig.

How to get there
Danbulla Forest Drive can be reached from the Gillies Highway to the south-east or through the village of Tinaroo on the north-western edge of the lake. The road is narrow in places and may deteriorate in heavy rain. Watch out for other road users including cattle, wildlife and forestry trucks. The QPWS office in Atherton (07) 4091-1844 can assist with information.