Tour Overview

This is one of the best day tours from Cairns. Experience the best of the Cairns Tablelands region with Billy Tea Safaris day tours; exploring the high-country west of the city; sampling local produce and meeting local characters along the way!

Travel 500 metres above sea-level and drive out of the rainforest and on to visit the multi-cultural village of Mareeba and award-winning Coffee Works for an introduction to Australia’s largest coffee-growing region. Continue on through the banana plantations, sugar cane, and through the townships of Tolga and Atherton on route to Historic Village Herberton, voted on Trip Advisor as one of the top 10 museums to visit Australia!

Billy Tea Safaris is the only group tour that includes Admission to Historic Village Herberton.

After exploring, you'll enjoy a selection of local tropical fruits and cheese tasting. Continuing on Queensland’s highest scenic drive with epic views of the Tablelands and the Great Dividing Range, you'll stop at a scenic lookout and also the iconic Millaa Millaa falls for an iconic photo opportunity (and a swim if you wish!). Enjoy lunch at the Australian Platypus Centre, where you might be lucky enough to spot a platypus!

Walk into the rainforest to view one of Australia’s oldest trees, The Curtain Fig Tree; standing at 500 years old and finish the day at The Humpy Store to purchase local produce such as nuts, fruit and much more!

Highlights of our day tour in the Tablelands

Prices

Pricing to be announced. Enquire now.

Itinerary

After your courtesy pick up and drop off (excludes Port Douglas see FAQs) in our custom-built 4WD vehicle you will travel 500 metres above sea-level and drive out of the rainforest and on to the multi-cultural village of Mareeba.

Stop 1: Coffee Works Mareeba. Enjoy unlimited chocolate and coffee samples and explore the coffee museum and gift shop.

Stop 2: Explore Historic Village Herberton - voted on Trip Advisor as one of the top 10 museums in Australia! The village has over 50 original buildings that date from Herberton's foundation years. Walking through the village, visitors are given a sense of being in a real township, complete with a chemist, bottle collection, school, bank, grocer's store, frock salon, toy shop, mechanic, jail and more! You can also see a real blacksmith in action, working at his creations from ordinary blocks of steel to ornate mementos. After your free time, enjoy morning tea with tropical fruit tasting and cheese samples.

Stop 3: Scenic Millaa Millaa Lookout overlooking the Tablelands. Great photo opportunity! Spot Mount Bartle Frere the highest mountain in Queensland in the distance.

Stop 4: Visit iconic Millaa Millaa Falls - Millaa Millaa Falls is a magnificent heritage-listed waterfall surrounded by lush rainforest. The perfect cascade falls into the pristine waterhole, where there is time for a refreshing swim if you wish. Millaa Millaa Falls has been featured in numerous different documentaries and television commercials - try to recreate the famous shampoo advertisement!

Stop 5: Lunch Australian Platypus Centre at Tarzali Lakes - while lunch is being prepared you will be escorted by your guide down to the Platypus Viewing area, a spring-fed pond surrounded by lush tropical vegetation. The Australian Platypus Park is home to a thriving platypus population. After platypus spotting, you will walk back up to the main area to enjoy a share platter of deli meats, tropical fruits, and cheese with a glass of local beer, wine or a soft drink followed by your main lunch meal. Note: we try to cater for all dietary requirements on our day tours, provided they are medical. Dietary requirements must be notified at the time of reservation or at least 48 hours prior to travel.

Stop 6: Curtain Fig Tree - your guide will take you through a short rainforest boardwalk to see the famous Curtain Fig Tree, an enormous, 500-year-old strangler tree. You will learn all about the history of how the Curtain Fig Tree was formed.

Stop 7: Visit The Humpy Store - a local treasure trove of local produce galore! Purchase local produce such as nuts, fruits, dips, jams and more! A good little snack for along the way, for the trip home or as a souvenir.

If there is time: you may also stop at Gallo Dairyland to purchase cheese or an ice-cream on the way home. This is not a scheduled stop on this tour.

Please note: itineraries may be changed, operate in a different order or some destinations may not be reached. This is at the discretion of your Billy Tea Safaris guide on the day due to weather, possible road closures and for the safety of all passengers.

Gallery

FAQs

What time does the tour start and end?

- Southside accommodation: pick up 6.15 am, returns between 6.45pm - 7pm

- Cairns CBD: pick up 6.30am, returns 6.30pm

- We only operate on a Thursday during low season

- Northern Beaches: International Coaches will pick you up around 6.10am and transfer you to Canopys Edge Bus Stop in Smithfield where you will be picked up by your Billy Tea guide. You will be returned to Canopys Edge Bus Stop around 6pm where you will be picked up by International Coaches to return to the Northern Beaches.

- Port Douglas: we do not offer pick-up or drop-offs to Port Douglas. You will need to make your own way to Canopys Edge Bus Stop in Smithfield where you will be picked up by your Billy Tea guide. Please arrange your own transport to and from Canopys Edge Bus Stop.

Please ensure you are on time for your hotel pickup! If you are not on time, you may miss your pickup which will incur a 100% cancellation fee. Please note all times are approximate.

How many people will be in the vehicle?
Our vehicles take 16 to 20 passengers only. We keep our numbers small, to create a more personalised experience. Note that during busy periods we often have more than one vehicle touring in all areas so you may see a couple of busses out and about!

Is there storage for luggage or strollers?
No. There is no storage for luggage or suitcases. Please only bring a small handbag or a small backpack. No strollers can be carried on our vehicles either.

Can we do a private charter?
Yes! Private charters are available with personalised itineraries and prices on application, enquire now!

What do I need to bring?
Hat, sunscreen, camera with extra batteries & memory cards, water bottle, towel and swimming costume (if you plan to swim at Millaa Millaa Falls), insect repellent, extra cash for cold drinks, souvenirs or an ice-cream, raincoat in our rainy season or umbrella.

What do I wear?
As we are in a tropical environment, please wear comfortable clothes and flat shoes or sandals. In our winter months (July to August), you may wish to bring a light jacket for the morning. It is advised not to wear thongs (flip flops) and please no high heels.

What does Billy Tea provide?

• Pick up and drop off (note: excludes Port Douglas)
• Accredited driver-guide for the day
• Travel in an air-conditioned custom-built 4WD vehicle
• All National Park fees are included
• Entry/Admission to Coffee Works with unlimited coffee and chocolate tastings
• Entry/Admission to the coffee museum at Coffee Works
• Entry/Admission to Historic Village Herberton
• Stop at Millaa Millaa Falls and Lookout
• Tropical fruit and cheese tastings for morning tea
• Lunch at the Australian Platypus Centre plus an additional share platter and 1 x local wine/beer or soft drink
• Stop at The Humpy Store to purchase local produce
• Booster seats for children if required (please note at time of booking)

Itineraries are subject to change, modification and some destinations may not be reached at the discretion of the Billy Tea Safaris guide on the day due to weather conditions, road conditions, possible road closures and for the safety of all passengers.

All dietary requirements must be notified at the time of reservation, or at least 48 hours notice before travel. We cater for vegetarians and most other requirements within reason and providing they are of a medical nature. Coffee Works Mareeba provides gluten free and dairy free alternatives for the coffee and chocolate samples.

Is the tour wheelchair / disabled friendly?
Due to the remoteness and ruggedness of the area, passengers must be able to take walking steps by themselves or with the aid of their own carer. Wheelchairs must be small compact collapsible chairs as space is limited. If you have a wheelchair, please advise our reservations team when booking or no later than 48 hours prior to departure. Billy Tea Staff are unable to assist with any lifting or assistance due to insurance liability and not authorised carer.

Is Wifi available?
No, due to the remoteness of the area we can not provide WiFi in our vehicles. This may also mean limited mobile reception throughout the day.

Reviews

What our customers say:

"Thank you to our fantastic tour guide Neville, we had a great day! There was a little bit of everything on the tour. The coffee and chocolate tastings were amazing. Historic Village Herberton was really interesting. We were introduced to the tasty local fruits and cheeses before visiting the beautiful Millaa Millaa Falls. Lunch was brilliant at the Platypus Park and the Curtain Fig Tree was spectacular. Great trip with lots of food and very friendly, informative guide. Thanks so much!" 
- Ross J, via TripAdvisor

"We had done this trip ourselves a few years ago. Thanks to this company and our guide Matthew we received a whole new perspective! He was so informative, the time he took to explain things to us especially for the overseas visitors was exceptional. The coffee Works, Historic Village Herberton and Milla Millaa was fabulous. Lunch was very special, the crocodile pie was delicious, the tasting plate of smoked meat, cheese and olives was very very nice. We had a fantastic day and recommend this completely. Thank you Billy Tea, just fantastic."
- Franelli, via TripAdvisor