Within the park, you’ll find everything you’ll be able to self-cater. The Camp Kitchen is equipped with BBQs and a tropical style cabana/deck to relax and enjoy the evening. 

Most mornings we wandered to The Station Café, tucked inside Atherton’s old railway building and carriages. You’ll enjoy great coffee served by a friendly face, and slices of homemade cake that disappear far too quickly. Sitting outside with the morning sun filtering through the trees is as good a start to the day as you’ll find anywhere.

For a quick refuel at lunchtime, Greek Street Food in central Atherton was a favourite. Their pita bread wraps are loaded and the chips perfectly crisped. 

For dinner, we were drawn into the iconic Baron Valley Hotel. It’s a local stalwart that wears its history proudly.  Think classic country hospitality — big serves, friendly staff, and that familiar clink of glasses from the bar. We grabbed a table in the main dining room and spread ourselves out to plan the next day’s adventures.

To settle in for a relaxing Saturday afternoon enjoying great beers, there’s no better option in the region than Billycart Brewing Co. It’s an independent brewery that offers tasting paddles as well as a range of burgers and pub-style meals.

If you’re even mildly into mountain biking, this region is heaven. The Atherton Forest Mountain Bike Park is only a few minutes from the park and has more than 50km of purpose-built trails through open forest and pockets of rainforest. We rented bikes in town and spent a morning riding. 

An easy 1 hour drive north brings you to Barron Falls, one of Queensland’s most dramatic waterfalls. After rain, the sheer force of it is incredible — a cascade of white water plunging into the gorge below. You can see it up close from the walkways, but for something really special, take a ride on the gondola.

If you’re chasing something more relaxed, head to Lake Barrine, a volcanic crater lake surrounded by tropical forest. There’s an old-school teahouse perched on the edge serving freshly baked scones and local tea — a perfect spot to slow down and take in the view.

And about 15 minutes south of the Park, Historic Village Herberton is a must. It’s a recreated pioneer town with more than 60 restored buildings — from the blacksmith’s forge to the old schoolhouse — all brought to life by volunteers who really love sharing the region’s history.

The park’s location makes it easy to explore the whole region — most waterfalls, trails and towns are within an hour’s drive. We recommend at least 4 days to explore the main attractions.