Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
'floating lounge room' skippered by
Lake Tinaroo Cruises
(
0457 033 016;
www.laketinaroocruises.com.au
;
2/4hr boat charters $200/300)
.
The 28km
Danbulla Forest Drive
winds its way through rainforest and softwood plantations
along the north side of the lake. There are five
Queensland Parks camping grounds
( 13 74 68;
www.nprsr.qld.gov.au
;
permits $5.45)
in the Danbulla State Forest. All have water, barbecues and
toilets; advance bookings are essential. Otherwise,
Lake Tinaroo Holiday Park
( 07-4095 8232;
www.laketinarooholidaypark.com.au
;
3 Tinaroo Falls Dam Rd; unpowered/powered sites $27/31, cabins $89-129;
)
has mod-cons, rents out boats ($90 per half-day) and canoes ($10 per hour)
AND has a giant jumping pillow!
Crater Lakes National Park
Part of the Wet Tropics World Heritage Area, the two mirror-like, croc-free crater lakes of
Lake Eacham
and
Lake Barrine
are easily reached by sealed roads off the Gillies Hwy. Camp-
ing is not permitted.
Lake Barrine is the largest of the lakes, and is cloaked in thick old-growth rainforest; a
5km walking track around its edge takes about 1½ hours. The
Lake Barrine Rainforest Tea
House
( 07-4095 3847;
www.lakebarrine.com.au
; Gillies Hwy; mains $7.50-18; 9am-3pm daily)
sits out
over the lakefront; book downstairs for 45-minute
lake cruises
(adult/child $16/8; 9.30am,
11.30am, 1.30pm)
. A quick scarper from the teahouse brings you to the grand
twin Kauri Pines
,
1000-year-old giants over 45m tall.
Lake Eacham's clear waters are ideal for swimming and turtle-spotting. There are
sheltered picnic areas, a pontoon and boat ramp. The 3km lake-circuit track is an easy one
hour walk. Stop by the
Rainforest Display Centre
(McLeish Rd; 9am-1pm Mon, Wed & Fri)
for in-
formation on the history of the timber industry and replanting of the rainforest.
Crater Lakes Rainforest Cottages
( 07-4095 2322;
www.craterlakes.com.au
;
Lot 17, Eacham Close, Lake
Eacham; d $240; )
has four themed timber cottages, each in their own private patch of
rainforest and filled with romantic treats. For something a little more earthy, the
Lake
Eacham Tourist Park
(
07-4095 3730;
www.lakeeachamtouristpark.com
; Lakes Dr; unpowered/powered sites $22/
)
has shady campsites and cute cabins.
25, cabins $90-110;
