Latest COVID-19 impacts—Qld national parks, state forests and recreation areas. Check the latest information and updates.
The Chimneys day-use area
Picnic in the shadow of two tall chimneys—all that remain of a home built here in 1924.
Accessible by
- Conventional vehicle
- Bicycle
Attraction facilities
- Toilets (flush)
- Wood-fired barbecue (BYO wood)
- Picnic tables (some sheltered)
- Wheelchair access (may require assistance)
-
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.
- Visitor update: Lake Tinaroo speed restrictions, adjacent to Danbulla State Forest 10 December 2020 to 21 January 2021