• Picnic tables and wood fired barbecues are provided at Platypus day-use area. Photo credit: © Queensland Government
• At Platypus day-use area enjoy a picnic in the shade of hoop pines beside Lake Tinaroo. Photo credit: © Queensland Government

Head out on the water for a ski, or to see if you can hook one of the lake’s famous monster barras. Remember to chuck in a few redclaw pots to catch your lunch. If something a little more sedate is your style, slip a canoe or kayak onto the water and explore the nearby creeks, coves and bays.

Cook lunch on the wood-fired BBQ (BYO firewood) and enjoy a lakeside feast.

After a refreshing swim at the end of the day, settle back in your chair and watch the sunset colours splash across the sky.

Getting there and getting around

Platypus 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 4km from the western entrance and 24km from the eastern entrance on Danbulla Road.
• Most of Danbulla Road is unsealed but it is accessible to all vehicles.
• You can also get to the day-use area by boat.

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 day-use area picnic tables and car park are wheelchair accessible.

Before you visit

Opening hours

Platypus 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.