Yungaburra is the perfect base for exploring Tinaroo Dam and the Crater Lakes. Click images to view enlargements.

Platypus and Wildlife trips:

1. Tinaburra Boat ramp to where Peterson Creek meets the dam
Distance: 2.2km
Time: 2-3 hrs
From Tinaburra boat ramp offshore you will see the floating pontoon for the Yungaburra water supply pump which sits directly over a deep waterhole in Peterson Creek. Paddle over to the pontoon then turn left following the right hand bank. This will take you into Peterson Creek. As you paddle into the mouth of the creek at low water height there is an exposed rail bridge from the disused Kairi Yungaburra rail line. On the ridge up to the left was the original township of Allumbah Pocket which was moved to current Yungaburra when the railway came through. 100metres in on the right bank at low water height you can see the remains of an old fig tree which was a tourist attraction for tourists staying at the lake Eacham Hotel. Cars would bring visitors to the tree where they could walk inside the trunk and look up to see the sky in the form of a cross. Paddle further up the creek past the large basin and you will see platypus. The creek is unpaddleable and ends downstream of the old steel rail bridge near Yungaburra Dump.

2. Tinaburra Boat ramp to Barron River Rail Bridge
Distance: 5.2km
Time: half day
From Tinaburra boat ramp offshore you will see the floating pontoon for the Yungaburra water supply pump which sits directly over a deep waterhole in Peterson Creek. Paddle over to the pontoon then turn right following the left hand bank. Near the farm houses to your left you will see an old road leading down to the water’s edge. This was the road leading down to the town of Kulara which was inundated when Lake Tinaroo was flooded. It ran through the lake and out on the right hand bank into the gum trees. You can see the old Kulara School still in the trees. There are no buildings beneath the waters as they were moved before the lake filled.Follow the left hand bank around and you will enter the mouth of the Barron River.This reach is used by barefoot skiers as it is sheltered from the South Easterlies, our predominant winds. After you pass the bitumen road entering on the right you paddle upstream to a magnificent rail bridge high above you, similar to the Peterson Creek bridge. Paddle under and upstream to a few cascades. Black bream are often fished for up here. The ‘Barron Arm’ is a favourite fishing spot for barramundi in the lead up to a full moon.

3. Tinaburra Boat ramp to where Mazlin Creek meets the Dam
Distance: 3.8km
Time: 2-3 hrs
From Tinaburra boat ramp offshore you will see the floating pontoon for the Yungaburra water supply pump which sits directly over a deep waterhole in Peterson Creek. Paddle over to the pontoon then turn right follow the left hand bank til you seethe entrance of the Barron River dead ahead. Cross to the right hand bank and see a small island off to the right ahead. Paddle round the island and follow Mazlin creek mouth upstream. At lower water levels there is a small waterfall upstream.

4. Tinaburra Boat ramp to Maroobi Creek road Bridge
Distance: 4.4km
Time: 2-3 hours
From the Tinaburra boat ramp follow the shore round to the right heading south/southeast past the caravan park. Away up ahead you will see the houses of Lakeside, a suburb of Yungaburra. Paddle up to the left of the houses into the narrow stretch. This narrow stretch opens out into a broad section with an island on the left. Paddle left round the island and head up Maroobi creek. This twisting waterway up to the roadbridge has platypus.

Atherton Tablelands Crater Lakes

5. Lake Barrine
Distance:  5km
Time:  2 hours
The Lake Barrine Circuit Track is located within the Crater Lakes National Park, on the Atherton Tablelands. Lake Barrine is a volcanic maar, surrounded by rainforest. Lake Barrine Circuit Track is a 5km, grade 3 Circuit hike.  The deep waters of the lake and the pleasant coolness of the Atherton Tableland have combined to make Lake Barrine a popular stop for visitors to the area.

At the end of the hike, the Lake Barrine Tea House beckons with food and refreshments.  

6. Lake Eacham

Lake Eacham is a clear, blue lake surrounded by lush rainforest. Walking tracks through the rainforest provide secluded forest-fringed views of the lake and excellent opportunities for viewing wildlife.

In geological terms, the lake is a maar—a volcanic crater formed by massive explosions from the superheating of groundwater. The crater has filled with water, forming a lake 65m deep. A number of rainforest communities can be seen along the 3km track encircling the lake.

Over 180 bird species have been recorded from the rainforest and you may be lucky enough to see one of the few species of marsupial active during daytime—the small musky rat-kangaroo (https://parks.des.qld.gov.au/parks/lake-eacham/about). 

Many thanks to Bernie Dobe and the Yungaburra Canoe club for this information.

See you in Yungaburra!