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Kauri Creek day-use area
This quaint and centrally-located picnic area is a beautiful place to stop for lunch on your day exploring this feature-packed area.
Accessible by
- Conventional vehicle
- Bicycle
Attraction facilities
- Toilets (non-flush)
- Wood-fired barbecue (BYO wood)
- Picnic tables
- Wheelchair access (may require assistance)
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Enjoy a picnic beside the scenic Kauri Creek at Kauri Creek day-use area. Photo credit: © Lovegreen Photography
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Picnic tables and wood barbecues are provided at Kauri Creek day-use area. Photo credit: Tamara Vallance © Queensland Government
Tucked away among towering pines and native forest, this picnic area is a quiet retreat for the whole family.
Let the kids swim in the shallow, sandy-bottomed creek while you take a well-earned break in the shade. When you start to feel hungry, cook lunch on the wood-fired barbecue (bring your own wood) and have a picnic at one of the tables.
You can walk some of the Jungaljungal walk from here, or take a 600m stroll to the Kauri Creek camping area.
When everything is packed away, it’s time for more exploration along the Danbulla Drive.
Getting there and getting around
Kauri Creek day-use area is in Danbulla State Forest, on the central part of the Atherton Tableland, 70km (1.5hrs) from Cairns.
- The day-use area is 9.5km from the western entrance and 18.5km from the eastern entrance, on Danbulla Road.
- Most of Danbulla Road is unsealed but it is accessible to all vehicles.
Getting to Danbulla
From the north (Kuranda Range, Rex Range, Mulligan Highway) to the western entrance
- From Mareeba, travel 29km south on the Kennedy Highway to Tolga.
- Turn left in the centre of Tolga onto Kairi Road, and follow it for 7km to the T-intersection at Kairi.
- Turn left onto Irvine Street and follow it as it winds through Kairi and becomes Tinaroo Falls Dam Road.
- See directions to boat ramps below.
From the west (Savannah Way) to the western entrance
- From Atherton, follow the Gillies Highway east and turn left onto Tinaroo Falls Dam Road.
- Travel for 10.8km to Kairi where the road becomes Irvine Street.
- Follow Irvine Street as it winds through Kairi and again becomes Tinaroo Falls Dam Road.
- See directions to boat ramps below.
From the south (Palmerston Highway) to the western entrance
- From Yungaburra, follow the Gillies Highway west for 7km.
- Turn right into Marks Lane and follow it for 2.6km to Tinaroo Falls Dam Road.
- Turn right onto Tinaroo Falls Dam Road and follow it for 4.2 km to the T-intersection at Kairi.
- Turn left onto Irvine Street and follow it as it winds through Kairi and becomes Tinaroo Falls Dam Road.
- See directions to boat ramps below.
Boat ramp directions
To Black Gully Road boat ramp
- Follow Tinaroo Falls Dam Road for 3.8km.
- Turn right into Black Gully Road and drive to the boat ramp at the end.
To Church Street boat ramp
- Follow Tinaroo Falls Dam Road for 6.4km to the Tinaroo township.
- Turn right into Lamb Street and follow it to the end.
- Turn right into Church Street and drive to the boat ramp at the end.
Wheelchair access
The toilets and picnic tables are wheelchair accessible.
Drinking water
Available from taps in the day-use area.
Before you visit
Opening hours
Kauri Creek day-use area 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.
- Visitor update: Lake Tinaroo speed restrictions, adjacent to Danbulla State Forest 10 December 2020 to 21 January 2021