Danbulla National Park and State Forest Tropical North Queensland

Drive up into the often misty forests of the Lamb Range on the Mount Edith and Kauri Creek roads. 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

Mount Edith and Kauri Creek roads

Drive or pedal through the rugged Lamb Range beneath ever-changing forests, along lush valleys and over graceful mountain streams.

Journey type
Walk, cycle, 4WD, trail bike
Distance
43km circuit The same start and finish point, but the traveller doesn’t return along the same path
Time suggested
Allow 2hrs driving time and 3–6 hrs cycling.
Grade
Unrated
Where
View map

Accessible by

  • Conventional vehicle
  • 4WD
  • Bicycle

Journey facilities

  • Walking
  • Scenic drive
  • Cycling
  • Trail bike riding

As you climb 450m into the range, you'll travel through a variety of shifting landscapes—from tall, open forests to wet sclerophyll and rainforest.

See if you can spot the giant fronds of the unique Orania palm peeking out from the dark understorey, and grab a photo as you pass under the massive rose gums that tower over the road.

This mixed landscape supports nine species of dasyurids (carnivorous marsupials) and is a haven for rare and threatened wildlife

The Mount Edith and Kauri Creek roads, Danbulla National Park are 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

Mount Edith and Kauri Creek roads are in Danbulla National Park, on the central part of the Atherton Tableland, 70km (1.5hrs) from Cairns.

  • The roads form a loop that starts and finishes on Danbulla Road. Most of Danbulla Road is unsealed but it is accessible to all vehicles.
  • Kauri Creek Road is 10.9km from the western entrance and 17.1km from the eastern entrance.
  • Mount Edith Road is 13.2km from the western entrance and 14.8km from the eastern entrance.
  • You will need a high-clearance vehicle to drive the Mount Edith and Kauri Creek roads.

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

Mount Edith and Kauri Creek roads is open 24 hours a day.

Check park alerts for the latest information on access, closures and conditions.

Seasonal closures

The road network can be closed temporarily during the wet season between December and April.

Visiting safely

For more safety information see:

  • There are currently no park alerts for this park.

View all park alerts