Are you wondering what the heck to do in the tiny town of Yungaburra? Maybe you’re visiting Cairns and want to know whether there’s anything worth stopping for in this little village.
I’m pleased to say that there are countless fun things to do in Yungaburra, you just have to know where to look. It is definitely worth stopping for an afternoon to see the sights and immerse into the relaxed folk vibes. Spend just five minutes strolling through the charming village and you’ll find endless knick-knacks, vibrant street art, friendly locals, and delightful places to eat and drink.
Keep reading to discover 15 unique things to do – from festivals to wildlife to rainforest giants… and so much more. Most of the items on the list are within walking distance from the town centre so you won’t even need a car to enjoy the sights. There are a few things on the list that’ll require a car to get to, but don’t worry, nothing is more than a 20-minute drive away.
1. Spot a platypus at Peterson Creek
The best way to get a feel for the town of Yungaburra is to go for a stroll along Peterson Creek. The added bonus? You might be lucky enough to see a platypus or a tree kangaroo. Head out to the back of town on foot to the intersection of Bunya Street and Penda Street. From here you will find an access point to the amazing walking trail that follows the creek.
The walking trail itself is spread across multiple private properties, but the amazing thing is that the landowners have created an enchanting wonderland for the public to enjoy. The whole trail has an awesome fairy-land vibe to it, and some private property owners have even carved hand-made signs welcoming you into their lush gardens.
The trail is completely community-made and maintained, with lots of cute hand-made benches and stools, and even a suspension bridge to cross the creek. If you want to spot a platypus, dusk and dawn are the best times of the day.
2. Visit the spectacular Curtain Fig Tree
If there’s one thing you can’t miss while you’re visiting Yungaburra, it’s paying a visit to the Curtain Fig Tree. It is an absolute wonder and words simply cannot do justice to this rainforest giant.
This ‘strangler fig’ tree has a Heritage Listing and has been visited by tourists since the 1920s. It is located within Mabi Forest, which is now so rare that it’s listed as endangered. It is estimated that the tree is more than 500 years old – absolutely incomprehensible in my books.
The Curtain Fig is a mere 2.5km out of the Yungaburra town centre, so there’s really no excuse to miss it! Make sure you plan to spend a little bit of time there, a tree this incredible shouldn’t be experienced in a rush.
3. Check out Yungaburra Markets
On the fourth Saturday of every month, the town of Yungaburra comes alive with the local markets. Held at the Bruce Jones Market Grounds in the middle of the historic village in town, the markets have over 250 stalls with wares that have been lovingly home-grown and hand-made by local growers, producers, and artisans.
Get up bright and early to enjoy a dewy morning full of busy activity and grab yourself a delicious treat – the markets open from 7.30am to 12.30pm. In the month of December, the markets are held on the third Sunday.
4. See what’s on at the Yungaburra Rotunda!
Located on the same grounds as the markets, the Rotunda is somewhat of a meeting place for the people of Yungaburra. Perhaps you’ll visit on a busy day and find a free live music event going on, or maybe you’ll visit on a quiet day and simply get to sit and enjoy the lush parkland and nature all around.
Check out the town’s website to stay up to date with what’s happening at the Rotunda.
5. Visit the Roseburra Flower Farm
If you like pretty things, then have I found the place for you! The Roseburra Flower Farm is an absolute feast for the eyes, with every imaginable flower and colour on show. Pop by the flower farm just to have a look and be delighted…or take a bunch home.
Located less than 5 minutes out of town, the Roseburra Flower Farm is open Monday to Saturday from 9am to 4pm. You will also find some locally made goodies and gifts for sale too, check out their Facebook page to get a taste of what you’ll find.
6. Celebrate at the Tablelands Folk Festival
This special event is held once a year, usually around the end of October, and is a celebration of all things ‘Tablelands’ and folk. Artists, musicians, and creatives from all over Australia descend upon Yungaburra to spread their joy and crafts. Held over 3 days, there are unique workshops, live music, and classes you can join in on.
They’ve got yoga, ukelele, boogie piano, writing and storytelling workshops, country dance workshops, countless live music acts, trivia, and so much more. If you can’t find something that interests you, you might be in the wrong place!
Check out this year’s acts and buy tickets here.
7. Don’t miss the Big Green Frog
A gimmick, I know, but who doesn’t love obscenely-large-everyday-things! This one, fitting for the rainforest, is Yungaburra’s big green frog. If you’re driving through town you really can’t miss it, it’s located on Fig Street outside the Yungaburra Pit Stop service station. Grab a selfie, but then get out there into the forest and find a real frog to admire.
8. Grab some lunch at Whistle Stop Café
You’ll no doubt get hungry at some point while you’re in Yungaburra, luckily there are plenty of awesome places to choose from for a good feed. A great place to sit and watch the bustling street come to life is the Whistle Stop Café. It’s on the main street of town and serves up delicious coffee, great brunch and lunch, and has friendly faces to go with it.
They’re open every day (except for Thursday) from 7.30am to 3pm. On Sundays they only open from 7am to 1pm.
9. Catch a Barramundi on Lake Tinaroo
Lake Tinaroo is a huge man-made dam that has become a mecca for holidaying Queenslanders. If you’ve ever seen The Castle, you’ll understand when I say that going to Lake Tinaroo is just like going to Bonnie Doon! With lots of campgrounds dotted around the lake, it’s an iconic place for a family holiday.
The Lake, also called Tinaroo Dam, was originally built in 1958 for irrigation. In total, the shoreline is over 120km long, and the lake is 13m deep on average, making it a great place for fishing. Don’t get too eager though, you’ll need a permit to go fishing on the lake. If you’re only visiting Yungaburra for a short time, hopping on board a guided fishing tour will be the perfect option. If you’re not into fishing, the bird life is absolutely incredible too.
Book a tour with Tinaroo Barra Sportfishing or Tropical Sportfisher. If you have your sights set on catching a barramundi, the best time of year is September to November. No matter who you book your boat tour with, they are sure to have endless local knowledge to help you nab that elusive barra.
10. Get fancy at Little Eden Restaurant
Looking for something a little more special while you’re in Yungaburra? Head to Little Eden to experience Yungaburra’s finest dining and be spoilt with delicious food and delightful service. They’re open Thursday to Sunday evenings from 5.30pm to 9pm.
Make a booking and see the menu on their website.
11. Spot a Tree Kangaroo at Bonadio’s Mabi Wildlife Reserve
I must confess, when I was visiting the Tablelands region, I became obsessed with spotting a tree kangaroo. They are elusive, shy, and incredibly hard to find. I can’t tell you the number of times I got excited about spotting one, only to find out that it was just a possum.
Alas, one of the best places to search for one of these beautiful creatures is at Bonadio’s Mabi Wildlife Reserve. Located on the banks of the Barron River, this is a special private property that’s been re-vegetated and returned back to rare and unique Mabi Forest.
The property has long been a maize farm, but the owners kept finding that year after year the riverbanks would flood, and their maize would wash away. Not only this, but pests liked their maize too. So, instead of trying to keep fighting it, they decided to return the banks of the river to its natural state and went about revegetating the area.
And now the wildlife has returned, and you can expect to see all manner of wonderful creatures there. Possums, bandicoots, tree kangaroos, platypus, you name it! They’re open to day-visitors, but you can also stay there for a night or two. The property also has an awesome caravan park complete with toilets and showers, lush grounds and a fully equipped campers’ kitchen. The owners are so friendly and kind, and love to share all the recent wildlife sightings with their guests.
Book a campsite and find out more on their website.
12. Spot wildlife, hike, kayak, or picnic at Lake Eacham
Not only is Queensland’s Tablelands region home to the special World Heritage Listed Wet Tropics rainforests, but the rainforest also grows on top of some very rich volcanic dirt. Lake Eacham is the perfect place to discover some unique geology, it’s a volcanic crater lake that’s just 7km out of Yungaburra.
There’s a huge array of activities you could get up to at Lake Eacham – enjoy the grassed area and have a picnic or BBQ, jump into the lake for a swim from one of the swimming platforms, bring your own kayak or SUP, or hike around the lake. There’s plenty of parking and toilet facilities too. Pets are not permitted at Lake Eacham, and there is no entry fee.
The walking trail around Lake Eacham is a 3km circuit (loop) and is a Grade 2. The walk is mostly flat, shaded the whole way, and takes about an hour to complete. But, if you’re anything like me, then an easy walk almost always turns into a half-day activity – what’s the point of getting out into nature if you’re too rushed to truly see anything!
One thing you really must do is pause for a moment. Be still, take a few deep breaths and open your senses to the natural world around you. Lake Eacham is absolutely alive with life. You might spot brush turkeys, snakes, tree kangaroos, possums, saw-shelled turtles, or eastern water dragons…the possibilities are endless.
13. Pay a visit to the Cathedral Fig Tree
If you’re amazed by the Curtain Fig Tree, then you will be absolutely floored by the Cathedral Fig Tree. This is another incredible ancient rainforest beauty that’s located a little bit further out of town.
The Cathedral Fig is a 20km drive from Yungaburra, but in my opinion is worth every second of the drive. I spent some time wrapped up in her huge canopy, just sitting on the ground looking up. After a while I felt a sense of calm and knowing wash over me, like I had received a message from her. Make sure you stay a while and just sit in the presence of this spectacular tree.
14. See the Twin Kauris & dine at the Lake Barrine Teahouse
Located just past Lake Eacham, and much like it, Lake Barrine is another volcanic crater lake. It is only 9km from Yungaburra, so you can get there in less than 10 minutes. It’s another opportunity to spot some rare and wonderful wildlife.
If you want to get into nature there, you can stroll to find the Twin Kauri trees. Take the Lake Barrine Circuit Track and follow the signs to the twin kauris. It’s only a 160-metre return walk on a nice boardwalk. There were some upgrades being done to the track when I visited so I couldn’t see the kauris, but the rest of the Lake Circuit was still open.
Kauris, or the Queensland Kauri, are a conifer pine that have origins that date back to 300 million years ago, well before the dinosaurs roamed! The Twin Kauris are about 45 metres tall and are thought to be over 1000 years old.
If you want to enjoy a sweeping view of the lake and take it easy, the Teahouse is the perfect spot. With a mini-museum inside the entrance, this 1930s building will definitely intrigue you. Grab yourself a coffee and a delicious cake to enjoy in the beautiful outdoor dining area.
15. Find a handmade treasure at the Artistree Gallery in town
Locally owned and run, the Artistree Gallery is the perfect place to find a piece of Yungaburra to take home with you. They have pottery, jewellery, furniture, handmade gifts, artwork, and so much more.
Bonus: Grab a treat at Shaylee Strawberries
This place was so good that I had to come back here twice after my first visit! Located just 7 minutes west of Yungaburra off Gillies Range Road, this strawberry farm and café could not be any sweeter.
They have everything you’d imagine a strawberry café to have – strawberry pastries, strawberry jams, strawberry wine, strawberry gelato, strawberry milkshakes, chocolate covered strawberries, fresh scones, and countless other baked treats. They also serve up incredible lunches and coffees, and you can even go out and pick your own fresh strawberries. The café has a lovely indoor and outdoor seating area overlooking the strawberry fields.
They’re open Wednesday to Sunday from 9am to 4pm. Check out their menu and find out more on their website. I cannot recommend this place enough, don’t miss it!
Looking for more things to do near Yungaburra?
If you’re up for a Tablelands adventure, check out my guide to exploring Emerald Creek Falls.
Heading back up towards Cairns instead? Have a look at this epic road trip guide from Port Douglas to Cape Tribulation.