{"id":589,"date":"2022-02-07T09:28:15","date_gmt":"2022-02-07T09:28:15","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/everywhereaustralia.com.au\/?p=589"},"modified":"2023-02-13T01:30:26","modified_gmt":"2023-02-13T01:30:26","slug":"things-to-do-in-mareeba","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/everywhereaustralia.com.au\/things-to-do-in-mareeba\/","title":{"rendered":"17 Top Things To Do In Mareeba, Qld"},"content":{"rendered":"

Going on a Mareeba trip and want to know all the best things to do in Mareeba, Qld? We have you covered! Below you will find our guide to exactly what to do in Mareeba to plan your ultimate trip.<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Located in the Atherton Tablelands region of Far North Queensland about an hour\u2019s drive from Cairns, Mareeba is like a different world. Less rainforest but still quite green with some great hiking opportunities, Mareeba is home to a great range of Mareeba tourist attractions and it\u2019s easy to spend a few leisurely days here enjoying the area.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Known for its coffee plantations and rodeo, there is more to Mareeba than this. The largest town in this region (albeit still on the small side), there are plenty of services. It\u2019s known as the food bowl of North Queensland and there\u2019s some great produce to taste as well as friendly animals to meet. It\u2019s also known for having 300 rain-free days a year, perfect for exploring!<\/p>\n\n\n

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\"Granite<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n

The name Mareeba itself is thought to come from a local Aboriginal word meaning \u201cmeeting of the waters\u201d due to Mareeba\u2019s location where the Barron River and Granite Creek meet.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Below, you will find our Mareeba travel blog with everything you need to know about the best Mareeba attractions, all the top Mareeba things to do options as well as the best places to stay for your ultimate holiday in Mareeba!!<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n

Top 17 Things To Do In Mareeba, Qld<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Here are the best things to do around Mareeba. Read through and select the ones that fit your interests and timeframe.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

I travelled to Mareeba with my three kids aged from 5 to 11 but it\u2019s a great place to visit for all ages.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Explore Granite Gorge Nature Park And Meet Rock Wallabies<\/h3>\n\n\n
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\"Granite<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n

Located about 15 minutes drive from the centre of town, this is our favourite of the things to do around Mareeba.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Granite Gorge Nature Park is a privately owned park and campground with a few cabins. It also caters to day visitors with some great walking trails, scenery and the chance to meet gorgeous rock wallabies.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

It\u2019s an easy drive here and on arrival, we paid our entry fee and were given an introduction to the hikes as well as some wallaby food. There are two choices \u2013 a shorter one and then a longer one which branches off from this trail. We did the shorter trail.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The trail starts with meeting the rock wallabies. They are super friendly and weren\u2019t at all scared of us. We fed them and talked to them before setting out on the rest of the hike.<\/p>\n\n\n

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\"Granite
A local rock wallaby at Granite Gorge Nature Park<\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n

It\u2019s a great hike but does involve scrambling up and down rocks. Our just-turned-five-year-old could do it surprisingly well and it was an achievable work out for the rest of us. However, you would want to be able bodied and shorter legs would find it tricky.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The walk is super picturesque and all the huge boulders make for different scenery than we are used to seeing. It\u2019s a good length for families.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

There\u2019s also swimming holes around the hikes and other landmarks. It\u2019s great! <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Back at the park reception there are some birds, reptiles and guinea pigs that you can hold and play with. Our kids loved the guinea pigs.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

All in all, this is a top place to visit in Mareeba and I recommend it a lot.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Check Out Mareeba Heritage Museum<\/h3>\n\n\n
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\"Mareeba<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n

Towards the centre of town, this one of the things to do Mareeba offers is also a must visit. It is a surprisingly awesome local museum.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

I have been to many small regional museums across Australia which contain a couple of small informative rooms with some old photos, letters and information boards. This museum is nothing like this.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

It tells the story of Mareeba\u2019s past with sections on the original Aboriginal inhabitants, early settlers, World War I and the town itself. This is all located in the modern new building and is well presented.<\/p>\n\n\n

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\"Mareeba<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n

Then outside, there is a range of other exhibits which take this small museum to another level.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

There\u2019s a mini town set up with a range of shops like a blacksmith’s shop, bar, a telegraph exchange and an old gaol. There\u2019s a railway carriage and railway ambulance to look through as well as an original building of the town all set up with old items.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

My kids loved looking through all of this and it led to a lot of imaginative play. There are also a couple of exhibits just for children with a touch table and musical instruments.<\/p>\n\n\n

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\"Mareeba<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n

I particularly enjoyed the tobacco part of the museum which is its own building. At one point, this area was important in the Australian tobacco industry with 70% of Australia\u2019s tobacco grown here. There\u2019s a lot of interesting information on this.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

It gets even better though as this museum is free! There\u2019s a caf\u00e9 on site in the middle of the outdoor exhibits and I also recommend it as a great place to eat lunch while you explore more of the exhibits.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Have Your Morning Coffee At Jaques Coffee Plantation<\/h3>\n\n\n
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\"Jaques<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n

If your morning doesn\u2019t start until you\u2019ve had a cup of coffee, a visit to Jaques is a must whilst in Mareeba.  Deemed as one of Australia\u2019s premier coffee plantations, this massive estate rolls away into the distance, holding over 85,000 Arabica coffee trees, plus the estate has the world\u2019s first coffee harvester and its own roaster!<\/p>\n\n\n\n

At the heart of the plantation is a great spot for lunch, the licensed Jaques Coffee Plantation Cafe & Restaurant.  There\u2019s a wonderful deck to relax on and the menu is vast with burgers, salads, seafoods, specialty cakes and you can chase it all down with beers, wine and – of course – some of the best tasting coffee you\u2019ll ever try.  There’s a barista made espresso house coffee and an onsite roastery to sample too.  <\/p>\n\n\n\n

To build up an appetite before lunch (or perhaps better still after lunch to walk off the calories!), take a self-guided 30-minute plantation tour to learn more about coffee – how it\u2019s grown, cultivated, and the manner in which it\u2019s sold and packaged – and you can also watch a short film in their theatre.  <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Or elect, as we did, for their 1-hour guided tour that includes extras such as a behind-the-scenes look at the factories and roastery (which the kids enjoyed), plus coffee liqueur tastings (which I enjoyed!).<\/p>\n\n\n\n

If your budget allows, there\u2019s a strange add-on available here as the plantation has its own small airstrip.  Visitors can fly-in by helicopter or – more interestingly – you can take an adventure flight in a gyrocopter or microlight aircraft.  Flying across the plantation you really get the feel for the sheer scope of the business, making this a unique and magical Mareeba adventure!<\/p>\n\n\n\n

This family-owned business has been in operation for over 40 years and is well worth adding into any Mareeba itinerary thanks to their delicious food, the great views and lip-smacking coffee!<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Located at 137 Leotta Road, Mareeba.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Visit Mareeba Tropical Savanna and Wetland Reserve<\/h3>\n\n\n
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\"Mareeba<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n

Inspired by the world famous Bharatpur wetland in India, the Mareeba Wetlands came about in 1994 when 2500 hectares of reserve was protected to cover for the significant loss of natural wetlands in the region.  <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Part community conservation project, part environmental education programme, mixed in with a whole lot of nature-based tourism, over the years the reserve has been transformed to offer eleven man-made wetlands of high ecological value, all linked together by 20 km of roads and tracks.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

These lagoons and channels lie in a savanna reserve of over 5000 acres providing a sanctuary for a plethora of wildlife and cultural heritage.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Trek options are self-guided, ranging from 2km to 15km trails (with maps available at the Clancy\u2019s Lagoon Visitor Centre – the starting point for most walks).  Fairly easy to navigate, the trails are well marked and you\u2019re in for some spectacular views along whichever route you choose.  <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Plus, you can pick-up a picnic from the centre to enjoy along the way or stop at the Ccafe there for drinks and snacks or to use the toilet facilities.  There\u2019s a small entrance fee at the Visitor Centre – $10 per adult when we visited.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

If you fancy cruising on Clancy\u2019s Lagoon (the second largest in the reserve), you\u2019ll find canoes to rent (and we\u2019re talking hand-made beautiful timber canoes which seat 2 adults or 1 adult with 2 children).  <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Alternatively, join a guided 30-40 minute boat cruise for a peaceful glide in an electrically operated Buralga (houseboat) which was a big hit with our kids.  Either way, you\u2019ll come close to lots of birds (including many geese) and even perhaps freshwater crocs.  Keep an eye out too for the gorgeous azure kingfisher along the banks, a stunning sight against the backdrop of green vegetation.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Or perhaps you\u2019re here to check out the bird hides, hoping to glimpse some of the more famous winged visitors?  These include important and rare species such as sarus cranes, cotton pygmy geese, black-throated finches and the wonderfully named buff-breasted button quails!  And you\u2019ll find birds of prey such as osprey, kites, hawks, eagles and swooping falcons. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

In fact, the site holds one of Australia\u2019s longest bird lists (over 200 species) and is a mecca for almost all of Australia\u2019s tropical water birds. It\u2019s a paradise for twitchers.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In the middle of all this are luxurious safari tents, operated by Jabiru Safari Lodge, your overnight stay option.  Available outside of the Jan-Mar wet season, the tented accommodation is grand with private decks, lighting, insect screens and attached ensuites.  There\u2019s also a well-equipped camp kitchen (with barbeque dinner packs available), a communal campfire area, and even an outdoor jacuzzi.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

But the bottom line is that everyone is here to discover the vast lily-littered lagoons and the wild bush savanna.  Wildlife and birdwatching tours, bushwalking, fly fishing and photography sessions are all available for private or group experiences.  <\/p>\n\n\n\n

If you\u2019re limited on time, we recommend combining interests with a Sunset Reserve Safari that departs at 3.30pm.  This incorporates a bird-watching cruise, ranger-guided savanna drive (we saw wallabies, kangaroos and giant termite mounds), a \u201cbilly\u201d tea, a bird-hide stop and that\u2019s all followed by yummy Aussie wine and cheese.  It\u2019s definitely one of the better ways to spend an afternoon!   <\/p>\n\n\n\n

If you\u2019re an early riser, you can join their Early Birders Safari – as the mornings are said to be more alive with the hustle and bustle of feathered residents.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The best time to visit the wetlands is April through to December, with the reserve usually closed January-March.  May is awesome as the Brolgas and Sarus Cranes arrive, and August or September are equally great as red-tailed black cockatoos swarm in, plus as the lagoon dries out in these months, it becomes easier to spot kangaroos, wallabies and emus.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Located at 142 Pickford Road, Biboohra, it\u2019s an easy 6.5km drive north of Mareeba on a gravel road.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Cool Off In Emerald Creek Falls<\/h3>\n\n\n
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\"Emerald<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n

Another wonderful slice of nature can be experienced at Emerald Creek Falls, a gorgeous cascading waterfall that spills down over large granite boulders in the middle of the Dinden West Forest Reserve. Rated as one of the prettiest waterfalls in the whole of the Cairns region, the falls are an ideal stop on your Mareeba itinerary, located in nearby Atherton Tablelands.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Drive southeast of Mareeba just 16 km, with the last part from the turn off to the falls on an unsealed road. You don\u2019t need a 4WD to handle it. However, you do need to drive slowly as there are lots of kangaroos and wallabies along the road until the car park.  <\/p>\n\n\n\n

You\u2019ll easily spot the walking trail to the falls, and at around the 5 minute mark you\u2019ll come to a fork – a choice between Bottom Of Falls or Falls Lookout.  Time to decide whether you\u2019re here for a swim or to enjoy the views!   <\/p>\n\n\n\n

If you\u2019re heading down for a dip, follow the blue arrows painted on the large boulders.  Walk across smooth rock faces and cross bridges that span the creek – nothing too difficult – until you reach the beautiful falls.  Or you can stop at a number of smaller rock pools along the route that are also great for a more away-from-it-all swim.  <\/p>\n\n\n\n

But wherever you decide to take a dip, prepare yourself, as the water is cold.  Freezing, in fact, giving quite the rush of adrenaline when you first jump in!  <\/p>\n\n\n\n

We found this a really pretty spot, as the water flows down over the boulders all surrounded by eucalypt forest.  There\u2019s gnarly, twisted tree trunks that reach out across the water and small red flowers sprout between the rocks.  At the base of the falls, a surprisingly calm pool makes it a safe swim for all ages.  <\/p>\n\n\n\n

There\u2019s plenty of space here too, so even though it\u2019s a popular spot, you\u2019ll find a place to settle down for a picnic lunch, or just to relax and admire the spectacular falls.  Dragonflies buzz, birds tweet and there\u2019s the constant hum of the falls. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Once you\u2019ve refreshed, it\u2019s time to head up the 1.9km trail to the Lookout, passing enormous black volcanic rocks and massive ant mounds.  Once at the top, you\u2019re in for some great views of the falls and out over the valley across the northern Atherton Tableland.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

A favourite off-the-beaten-path spot that\u2019s mostly visited by locals, pencil out at least 2-3 hours to really enjoy yourself here.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Go Bushwalking In Davies Creek National Park<\/h3>\n\n\n
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\"Davies<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n

On the western side of the Lamb Range you\u2019ll find Davies Creek National Park.  This is the drier, rain-shadowed side of the slopes, meaning a wonderful eucalypt woodland that\u2019s a favourite spot for trekking or forest picnics.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Spread out amidst the rocky platforms and under shady trees alongside Davies Creek, there\u2019s a handful of spacious picnic areas (plus you\u2019ll find some camping facilities if you plan to stay longer).  There are ample pools for a cooling swim and Davies Creek Falls is another magnificent waterfall that cascades over huge granite boulders (similar to Emerald Creek Falls).<\/p>\n\n\n\n

But mostly, visitors come for the moderate trail: the Davies Creek Falls Circuit Track.  A lovely trail of 1.1km, it leads you to two lookouts – one that provides a view back along the valley and a second that overlooks Davies Creek Falls as it plunges away.  <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Commencing at the car park, 2km past Lower Davies Creek camping area along Davies Creek Road, the trail is well marked.  After the second lookout, the trail takes you alongside a tranquil section of the creek.  <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Here, you\u2019ll find paperbark trees, pandanus and banksias before reaching a picnic and swimming area.  it makes for a great short hike for all ages as you can rest up or, as our kids chose, enjoy a swim in the clear spring water.  Once rested, you can follow the path on to return to the car park up a slight slope dotted with grass trees.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

You\u2019ll find a few steep sections but mainly this is a gorgeous open forest and an easy walk.  But don\u2019t forget to take water with you as some sections are quite exposed and you\u2019ll feel the heat here more than other walks in the region.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

You can allow a leisurely 3-4 hours here, but if you\u2019re looking for a full day out why not combine with another of the many bushwalking trails in the area, such as the 1.9km Bunda Bibandji Rock Art Walking Track or the 8km difficult Turtle Rock Circuit Trail.  Alternatively, add-on a stop at  Emerald Creek Falls for a refreshing dip before returning to Mareeba.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Hike Up To Lambs Head (Kahlpahlim Rock)<\/h3>\n\n\n
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\"Lambs<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n

Adjacent to the Davies Creek National Park is the Dinden National Park that also straddles the Lamb Range (the string of mountains that run behind Cairns). The highest point of these mountains is Kahlpahlim Rock and for those of you looking for a challenging hike\u2026 This one\u2019s for you!<\/p>\n\n\n\n

At around 1300m above sea level, Kahlpahlim Rock (sometimes known as Lamb\u2019s Head) offers impressive views over the Davies Creek, Atherton Tablelands and over to Cairns. There are two steep but stunning trails that lead you to the granite boulders of Kahlpahlim Rock, and they converge at the top allowing you to walk the track as a circuit.<\/p>\n\n\n\n