Danbulla National Park and State Forest Tropical North Queensland

Gillies lookout offers views over the Mulgrave River valley to the coastal mountains ranges beyond. Photo credit: Mike Prociv © Queensland Government

Lake Tinaroo is the heart of Danbulla National Park and State Forest. Photo credit: Karl Seelig © Tourism and Events Queensland

Be inspired: ‘Slow camping’ at Danbulla where families enjoy the ‘little things in life’

‘Because one day you will look back and realise they were big things’. Writer Kurt Vonnegut was so right. Time is fleeting and we wish we could ‘bonsai’ our kids, but before we know it, they’ve grown and flown. Photo credit: Maxime Coquard © Queensland Government

Be inspired: Chasing volcanoes (and waterfalls) in the tropical north

They say ‘don’t go chasing waterfalls’ but we suggest you do, and volcanoes too! Photo credit: Steven Nowakowski © Queensland Government

Be inspired: Legendary fish, aquatic adrenaline and waterfront vistas—Danbulla offers all this and more!

Does the smell of sunscreen and insect spray evoke childhood memories of dangling a fishing line with Dad, bucket-washing the dishes with Mum and building a camp fire with your siblings? Photo credit: Karl Seelig © Tourism and Events Queensland

Be inspired: Queensland National Parks’ best-loved camping areas

We are truly a nation of coast dwellers, so when it comes to camping holidays, where do we head? To the water, of course! Photo credit: © Tourism and Events Queensland

Gillies lookout

Don’t miss the chance to experience breathtaking views over the lush Mulgrave River valley and stately coastal mountain ranges.

Accessible by

  • 4WD

Attraction facilities

  • Lookout (constructed)

Jump in your high-clearance 4WD and head through undulating farmland and forests to this spectacular lookout where you’ll feel on top of the world!

Read about the 400-million-year-old story of this ancient landscape and marvel at the peaks, ranges and valleys that stretch out before you.

When not shrouded in cloud, Queensland’s two highest peaks—Bartle Frere and Bellenden Kerr—are the pinnacles of the view. At their feet is the Mulgrave River, snaking its way along the valley to the coast.

The Gillies lookout, Danbulla National Park is part of the Wet Tropics World Heritage Area, famed for its exceptional natural beauty, outstanding examples of the record of life, evolutionary history and remarkable diversity.

Getting there and getting around

The Gillies lookout is in Danbulla National Park, on the central part of the Atherton Tableland, 70km (1.5hr) from Cairns.

  • The lookout is 4km from Danbulla Road, 27.9km from the western entrance and 100m from the eastern entrance, on Madigan Road off Danbulla Road.
  • Most of Danbulla Road is unsealed but it is accessible to all vehicles.
  • Leave farm gates as you find them.

For more information see visiting safely—getting there and getting around.

Wheelchair access

There are no wheelchair-accessible facilities.

Before you visit

Opening hours

Gillies lookout is open 24 hours a day.

Check park alerts for the latest information on access, closures and conditions.

Visiting safely

For more safety information see Visiting Danbulla safely.

  • There are currently no park alerts for this park.

View all park alerts