Splashing around in the Atherton Tableland waterfalls – Barefoot tour, Cairns

Well everyone loves a waterfall! Experiencing the tropical waterfall in Bali was one of our highlights of our time there, so we were definitely keen when we were recommended the Barefoot tour.

Our hilariously crazy guide, Bret, picked us up early from our hostel ready for a day of touring the Atherton Tablelands, which is an area of plains and mountains just inland from Cairns. The first stop was Lake Eacham – a fresh water filled volcanic crater. The water was so blue and, although a bit chilly at first, so lovely and fresh to swim in. We had a little splash about here and then took in the scenery over morning tea, which was tea, coffee, hot chocolate, fresh fruit, biscuits and cakes. Yum!

Bret then took us up to a lookout point where we could see across the Tablelands, which was absolutely gorgeous! Then it was on to a small town Malanda to buy some lunch – we went for a delicious $4 curry steak pie! With our stomachs full we were definitely ready to finally see some waterfalls, and the afternoon’s stops did not disappoint.

First off was the Dinner Falls. On the way here Bret stopped on the side of the road and picked up a big rock which he put next to his seat and named Bob, which was slightly confusing! But it all became clear at the Dinner Falls site when we walked up to the nearby Mt Hypipamee Crater, which is called a volcanic pipe and is filled with water. The ledge overlooking it was about 60 metres above the water surface – pretty high up! This is where poor Bob the pet rock met his end, as Bret threw him over the side. The crack that he made as he hit the water was unbelievable, I thought a gun had gone off! Great fun 🙂

Then we wandered down to the pool at the bottom of the Dinner Falls, which wasn’t the biggest waterfall but was split into two and was really beautiful. We had fun jumping into the pool and getting a massage from the water pounding down the rocks! There was also a small cave behind one part of the falls – big enough for three or four people. You had to swim against the strength of the waterfall to get to it, which was pretty hard work! It took me a few attempts but it was so cool when I finally made it in there.

The next stop was the famous Millaa Millaa falls (main pic) where Peter Andre filmed his video to Mysterious Girl and where Herbal Essences filmed their adverts. It was therefore a pretty busy spot, but so gorgeous. Bret got us all doing the herbal essences hair flick, and swimming underneath the falls to sit/stand on the rocks behind it was amazing, I didn’t want to leave!

But the next stop – Josephine Falls – was just as much fun. They weren’t huge waterfalls, but the erosion over the years has smoothed one section of the rock into a natural water slide. I didn’t have the nerve to go down on my belly but George did and we had a great time sliding and splashing about! We then had afternoon tea – more cakes, biscuits and the famous Australian favourite, Tim Tams – before driving back to Cairns.

The whole day was fantastic from start to finish. Bret kept us entertained the whole day with cheesy jokes, random facts, musical chairs on the bus to get us all chatting, and just general banter. The waterfalls and lake were stunning and so much fun. Definitely one of my favourite days ever!

It costs $105 each including morning and afternoon tea and pick up/drop off at your accommodation.