Danbulla National Park and State Forest Tropical North Queensland

Look up into the spreading canopy of the majestic Cathedral Fig Tree. Photo credit: Mike Prociv © Queensland Government

Lake Tinaroo is the heart of Danbulla National Park and State Forest. Photo credit: Karl Seelig © Tourism and Events Queensland

Be inspired: ‘Slow camping’ at Danbulla where families enjoy the ‘little things in life’

‘Because one day you will look back and realise they were big things’. Writer Kurt Vonnegut was so right. Time is fleeting and we wish we could ‘bonsai’ our kids, but before we know it, they’ve grown and flown. Photo credit: Maxime Coquard © Queensland Government

Be inspired: Chasing volcanoes (and waterfalls) in the tropical north

They say ‘don’t go chasing waterfalls’ but we suggest you do, and volcanoes too! Photo credit: Steven Nowakowski © Queensland Government

Be inspired: Legendary fish, aquatic adrenaline and waterfront vistas—Danbulla offers all this and more!

Does the smell of sunscreen and insect spray evoke childhood memories of dangling a fishing line with Dad, bucket-washing the dishes with Mum and building a camp fire with your siblings? Photo credit: Karl Seelig © Tourism and Events Queensland

Be inspired: Queensland National Parks’ best-loved camping areas

We are truly a nation of coast dwellers, so when it comes to camping holidays, where do we head? To the water, of course! Photo credit: © Tourism and Events Queensland

Cathedral Fig Tree

This elaborate tree, festooned with intricate vines and delicate epiphytes, is named for the stately, cathedral-like formation of its roots.

Journey type
Walk
Distance
300m return Start and finish points are the same and the traveller must return via the same path
Time suggested
Allow 10min walking time.
Grade
Grade 2 walking track

Accessible by

  • Conventional vehicle
  • Bicycle

Journey facilities

  • Walking

With a crown as big as two Olympic swimming pools towering nearly 50m over you, this mighty 500-year-old tree will take your breath away.

As you stroll along the boardwalk, gaze into the roots and canopy of this rainforest giant. See if you can spot some of the plentiful wildlife that calls this tree home.

Learn all there is to know about the tree from a sign near its base. Some of the fig facts will astound you.

The Cathedral Fig Tree, Danbulla National Park is part of the Wet Tropics World Heritage Area, famed for its exceptional natural beauty, outstanding examples of the record of life, evolutionary history and remarkable diversity.

Getting there and getting around

The Cathedral Fig Tree is in Danbulla National Park on the central part of the Atherton Tableland, 70km (1.5hrs) from Cairns.

  • The tree is 26.6km from the western entrance and 1.4km 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

There are no wheelchair-accessible facilities.

Before you visit

Opening hours

Cathedral Fig Tree 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 and Walk with care.