Climb to Atherton Tablelands

Samoman67 · Member

Climb to Atherton Tablelands

Haji-Baba · Senior Member

Welcome Hi Nat.

First, If you have the time I would base myself in Atherton.

The climate in Atherton is much cooler in summer as opposed to Cairns. And much more relaxed.

You can still visit Cairns in a little over an hours travel.

Another reason being it is a good base for tours up to Mossman, The Daintree, and further North to say Cooktown.

There are four main roads up the range, Innisfail to Milla-Milla, Gordonvale to Yungaburra. Cairns to Mareeba, Mossman Mt.Molloy.

Mareeba can be very hot as opposed to Atherton.

Each road is 2 lane well formed bitumin all the way with overtaking lanes at intervals. Neither is very steep but there are some sections which will require a few lower gears.

If you have the intention to go to Mt. Isa I would suggest Atherton, Ravenshoe, Mt.Garnet, Forty Mile Scrub,
turn west to Mt. Surprise, Georgetown, Normanton just for a look, and then south to Cloncurry, and then Mt.Isa.

Coming back to the coast, Cloncurry, Hughenden, Charters towers, Townsville. Innisfail, Cairns.

The roads all the way are fair to good with some narrow single lane bitumin where it is best to slow down or get off the bitumin altogether.

Be careful of wet weather, do your homework before you travel, and carry all the necessary first aid kits, plenty of food and water.

This is the hottest time of the year and if you are not used to heat take precautions. Be aware of Joe Blakes. (snakes)

Be prepared to meet road trains on a very regular basis, and on narrow bitumin roads that is the time to get right off the road.
The big trucks won't-- can't get off the bitumin.

Don't get bogged if it ever rains again. Make sure you always have enough fuel.

Enjoy your tour, there is a lot to see.

Have fun Haji-Baba

-- Edited by Haji-Baba on Tuesday 17th of September 2013 11:54:55 AM

Haji-Baba · Senior Member

Probably best to go up from Innisfail-- Palmerston Highway. Brings you out at Milla-Milla, still a fair way to go to Atherton.

Water fall country around Milla-Milla is a must.

Not too steep and fairly good road. Haven't been up or down that way for a few years but any local will tell you the condition if asked.

The Gillies is good but very bendy and not too steep, I suppose it depends on your tow Vehicle and Van.

Both are a good drive and "The Gillies" brings you out onto the Tablelands near Yungaburra, and then on to Atherton.

God's Country.

Have fun Haji-Baba

Gwian · Senior Member

We went on the Palmerston Hwy from Innisfail to Ravenshoe and although it was slow going in places due to road works ( controlled by lights ) and although little traffic still had to wait a while. Very scenic drive and not too steep but you have to drive to the conditions as it was wet when we went thru.

yeoeleven · Guru

I had a brilliant cruise up the Gillies Highway, never was held up and never dropped below 25kph and 3rd gear.

Not bad in my 1980 Coaster 4 cyl petrol 2ltr.

I must admit that I was apprehensive and asking the same questions as you are but it worked out very well, my first stop was The Cathedral Tree.

John

yeoeleven · Guru

I had a brilliant cruise up the Gillies Highway, never was held up and never dropped below 25kph and 3rd gear.

Not bad in my 1980 Coaster 4 cyl petrol 2ltr.

I must admit that I was apprehensive and asking the same questions as you are but it worked out very well, my first stop was The Cathedral Tree.

John

justcruisin01 · Guru

Samoman67 wrote:
We are about to tug our van up to the Atherton Tablelands and was wondering which is the best route for the van?
We were thinking about going up from Innisfail as it is the closest to where we are (In Townsville). Or should we take the Gordonvale turn off to Atherton. Cairns route is too far. Any help would be appreciated.

Thank you

Dave

Last year we came down the one to Innisfail, easy as.

The run from Cairns up is a good run as well, more climming & steeper but all ok, avoid the middle one by all reports.

Zoomtopz · Guru

last time I did Innisfail was narrow & a lot of gravel (70s) did Gillies a couple of times in th last couple of years ,

as well as Karanda range , I found em ok , still enjoy driving up And down either one.

Hi NAT · Member

Hi Haji-Baba,

We're in UK, but travelling to Australia on 2 December for 3 months in a rented motorhome. We are booked into a campground in Cairns from 22 - 26 December, and then going on to Mt Isa. We are (unfortunately) aware of the likely weather conditions, but my question anyway: Is the Atherton Tablelands do-able at that time of year, and if the road is not metalled (a condition of hiring a motorhome) would there be tours from Cairns?

Thank you,

H1NAT

brickies · Guru

Haji-Baba was just about to post but your report is Great advice and spot on and should be a big help to HI NAT

ferg · Newbie

Great spot the tablelands that was one of favourite locations, recommend a few days at Kauri creek NP (see pickie) and yes take the Palmeston Hwy.

ferg Kauri creek camp ground.JPG

spida · Guru

I did Gillies - would not recommend it unless you are a competent driver on windy steep roads. They say 300 hairpins!!!! I loved it but it was also quite nerve -wracking as I had no idea when it was ever going to stop.
there is NOWHERE to turn around and go back if you change your mind. There were also road works which meant several handbrake starts on slopes!

brickies · Guru

I prefer to use the Palmerston highway towing a caravan , But all 3 are doable in a campervan , still think better going up the Palmerston more direct route to Atherton which is a good base for your Cairns look about has well and is only about hour from Atherton.

Samoman67 · Member

Thanks for the info,
we are pulling a 20ft Statesman Royale with a 100 series Land Cruiser so the climb is no problem. Can't be any worse than the climb up to Glen Innis from Grafton. We have done the climb up from Mossman in a hire car and come down the Palmerston Highway but never with a caravan.
Thanks again for the advice.

Dave