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Platypus day-use area
Pack the esky and bring a shady marquee for a fun-filled day at this sheltered lakeside picnic area.
Accessible by
- Conventional vehicle
- Boat
- Bicycle
Attraction facilities
- Toilets (flush)
- Wood-fired barbecue (BYO wood)
- Picnic tables
- Wheelchair access (may require assistance)
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Picnic tables and wood fired barbecues are provided at Platypus day-use area. Photo credit: © Queensland Government
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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.
- Visitor update: Lake Tinaroo speed restrictions, adjacent to Danbulla State Forest 10 December 2020 to 21 January 2021