Cycling

Cycling the Atherton Tablelands

There is no better way to enjoy the stunning Atherton Tablelands landscape than cycling on a safe country road.

The region offers outstanding opportunities for cyclists of all ages and disciplines including road, mountain, cross country and touring – come up for some fresh air and give us a try!

Tableland cycling opportunities and associated services:

Accommodation: please view the diverse range of accommodation offered in the region on our Accomodation page.

Bike hire: Tableland Adventure Guides offer guided bike tours or have bikes for hire and itineraries – call them on 0441 851 7979. Yungaburra Pit Stop on the Gillies Highway have bikes for hire – call them on 4095 3093.

Cycle Stores: speak to the friendly guys at Northern Bikes in Atherton on 4091 2244 or visit their store on Main Street.

General Information: visit the Yungaburra Visitor Information centre for general information or call them on 4095 2416.

Mountain bikes: check out the exciting mountain bike developments occurring in the region at the Tableland Cycle Sports website. This site also has a calendar of MTB events and itineraries.

Road bikes: visit the Tableland Cycle Sports website for calendar of events and itineraries.

Rail Trails: a network of exciting Rail Trails is scheduled to commence on the Tablelands in 2011. The first trail will run for 35km from Atherton to Mareeba and will allow safe commuting and exercise for cyclists, walkers and horse riders. For more information on Rail Trails and their significance please go to the website.

Select Itineraries:

Lake Tinaroo area: beautiful 32km cycle from Boar Pocket Road to Tinaroo Falls village on the gravel Danbulla Forest Drive adjacent to the magnificent Lake Tinaroo. Alternatively tackle the challenging 42km Lamb Range loop from Kauri Creek campsite. Road surface is gravel, level of difficulty is moderate to hard respectively.

Yungaburra/Malanda area: numerous back road itineraries between 20 and 50km including the Curtain Fig Tree to Lakes circuit allow rides through heritage listed rainforest and open farmland. Enjoy a swim in our extinct volcanic crater lakes Eacham and Barrine or ride to the base of Queensland’s Highest mountain – Mt Bartle Frere. Road surface is mixed bitumen and gravel and level of difficulty is easy to moderate.

Millaa Millaa area: visit 7 magnificent waterfalls on a 55km one way ride down the Palmerston Highway through heritage listed rainforest to the outstanding Ma Mu Canopy Walk. Road surface is bitumen and level of difficulty is easy. Alternatively ride the 40km ‘traffic free’ K Tree Road through the Misty Mountains and over the South Johnstone River to the Ma Mu Canopy Walk. Road surface is gravel, level of difficulty is moderate to hard.

Atherton & Herberton areas: There are numerous on and off road cycling opportunities including forestry roads and tracks in the Herberton Ranges and beyond. Rides range from 15km with add on loops to 75km.

Outback Experiences

There are excellent opportunities for extended cycling trips in the region to the west of the Atherton Tablelands including the following 3 day/165km itinerary:

Day 1 – approximately 50km through historic mining country from Herberton to the Wild River then transfer to a overnight camp at Mt Garnet.

Day 2 – approximately 50km on the exciting former Mount Garnet to Lappa rail corridor, overnight bush camp adjacent to the paperbark fringed Emu Creek.

Day 3 – approximately 65km from the historic rail siding of Petford through the Heritage Mining village of Irvinebank to Herberton.

Cautions:

1) Road surfaces vary between seasons. Road condition information can be obtained from RACQ Road Reports or local Visitor Information Centres.

2) Riding times are variable depending on level of fitness and seasonal conditions. It is recommended that the longer/more arduous rides be undertaken in cool winter months between April and September.

3) Support in the form of additional water and food supplies as well as first aid provisions and communications facility may be essential on extended rides.

4) This brief overview does not purport to be a comprehensive list of all rides and services available in the region. Visitor feedback in respect of distances, technical difficulty and any other information would be appreciated. Please refer feedback to Yungaburra Business Association or Tableland Adventure Guides.

5) Yungaburra Business Association accepts no liability for any losses or damages arising out of errors or omissions contained in this website. Please view our Privacy Policy & Disclaimer.