• The Chimneys day-use area is a large, open area set beside the remnants of an historic soldier-settler house. Photo credit: Robert Ashdown © Queensland Government
• The chimneys are all that remain of an old soldier-settler house. Photo credit: Roger James © Queensland Government

Following World War I, land in the Danbulla area was released for soldier settlement. An early soldier settler built a modest house here in the early 1920s, but later abandoned his block. Bill Hanley then built a new house here with his brother-in-law, Thomas Clark, in 1924.

These 7m high, double-brick chimneys are all that remain of the home. If you look closely, you can see where the mantle pieces were secured above the fire places on the chimneys.

After lunch, let the kids kick a footy around the large, grassy area or visit nearby Lake Euramoo.

Getting there and getting around

The Chimneys day-use area is in Danbulla State Forest, on the central part of the Atherton Tableland, 70km (1.5hrs) from Cairns.

• The Chimneys day-use area is 25km from the western entrance and 3km from the eastern entrance, on Danbulla Road.
• Most of Danbulla Road is unsealed but it is accessible to all vehicles.

Getting to Danbulla

You can access the Atherton Tablelands via the Gillies Highway, Kuranda Range, Rex Range, Palmerston Highway, Savannah Way and Mulligan Highway.

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.
• Follow Tinaroo Falls Dam Road, through the township of Tinaroo (7km) and across the Barron River (1.1km).
• Here the road becomes Danbulla Road. Follow it for 2km to the state forest boundary.

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.
• Follow Tinaroo Falls Dam Road, through the township of Tinaroo (7km) and across the Barron River (1.1km).
• Here the roads becomes Danbulla Road. Follow it for 2km to the state forest boundary.

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.
• Follow Tinaroo Falls Dam Road, through the township of Tinaroo (7km) and across the Barron River (1.1km).
• Here the roads becomes Danbulla Road. Follow it for 2km to the state forest boundary.

From the south (Palmerston Highway) to the eastern entrance

• From Yungaburra, follow the Gillies Highway east for 12.9km to Boar Pocket Road.
• Turn left into Boar Pocket Road and follow it for 4.4km to the boundary of the park.
• The road becomes Danbulla Road 100m further along (at the Gillies Lookout track).

From the east (Gillies Range) to the eastern entrance

• From Gordonvale, follow the Gillies Range for 30.7km to Boar Pocket Road.
• Turn right onto Boar Pocket Road and follow it for 4.4km to the boundary of the park.
• The road becomes Danbulla Road 100m further along (at the Gillies Lookout track).

Wheelchair access

The toilets and picnic area are wheelchair accessible.

Before you visit

Opening hours

The Chimneys 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.