The Atherton Tablelands is a beautiful sub-tropical haven located just one hours drive (100km/62 miles) from Cairns on a plateau which rises 600 metres to 1000 metres above sea level. It is a cool escape from the summer humidity of the coast.

The Tablelands is an area of unique plant and animal habitats, rainforests, national parks, mountains, rivers, lakes and beautiful waterfalls, combined with some of Australia\'s richest agricultural lands.

The rural landscape of the Atherton Tablelands is green throughout most of the year, with a temperature, which rarely exceeds 30c. The area features the deep blue waters of extinct volcanic crater lakes and extensive National Parks. At the centre of the Tablelands is Lake Tinaroo. Its kms of shoreline provides excellent scenic drives, camping, waterskiing and great barramundi fishing.

The Tablelands which was developed on mining, timber and agriculture encompasses, four shires: - Atherton, Eacham, Herberton and Mareeba. This gives the area a large diverse rural base with farming in the following fields: - Maize, peanuts, dairying, beef cattle, potatoes, sugar cane, bananas, mangoes, avocados, papaws, lychees and citrus.

Tourism is in its infancy on the Tablelands but is continuing to grow as more and more people become aware of its natural and man-made attractions.