Malanda welcomes you to a destination of rare wildlife,
accessible rainforest and pastoral peace.
Destination Malanda is in the centre of
this balance of nature (birdwatching, World Heritage
rainforests and great bushwalking) and nurture
(affordable and fine accommodation, dining and shopping.)
Walk over the top of a waterfall, swim
with platypus, saunter through ancient trees. Just an
hour and a half from the Cairns International airport
Malanda is in the middle of the Atherton Tablelands,
North Queensland, Australia.
The Malanda area offers abundant natural experiences
including bright tropical birds, brilliant butterflies,
and wildlife rich walking tracks. Wander through charming
small town shops and open air markets. Drive along meandering
country roads past lush green dairy pastures, tea plantations
and macadamia farms. Or just relax at the edge of a
serene crater lake. So many
choices!
Print your own
Malanda Brochure! . printout
page 1 (106 kb .pdf) . printout
page 2 (92 kb .pdf)
Nature
Malanda is in the heart of north Queensland's
rainforest country. Although much of the original forest
around the town was cleared to establish dairy farms during
the early part of last century, many large remnant patches
remain in the immediate area. One of the most significant
of these is close to the centre of town, surrounding Malanda
Falls and the North Johnstone River.
view checklist of local birds
Tree-Kangaroo website
.
Our rainforests are some of the most diverse forests in
Australia. A few hectares will contain several hundred
species of trees, shrubs and vines. During the dry season
some of the conspicuous red flowered species such the
Tree Waratah and Flame Trees and the yellow flowered Pendas,
create bright patches of colour contrasting vividly with
the many shades of green in the forest's canopy. Numerous
ferns and orchids decorate the forest floor and the branches
of the trees.
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As well as containing a great diversity of plants most
of the forest patches still contain the very special animals
indigenous to the region. Prominent in most naturalist's
"must see" list is Lumholtz's Tree-Kangaroo
and the tiny Musky Rat-kangaroo. Spot-lighting to observe
nocturnal rainforest animals, especial the several possum
species, is a popular pastime for many visitors and locals.
For bird enthusiasts both rainforest and dry savannah
habitats containing more than 500 species are within 60
km. .
Art Trail
For a small town, Malanda is blessed with
a multitude of talented artists working in the fields
of pottery, glass blowing and slumping, woodworking, woodturning,
wood carving ironmongery, painting, mosaics, ceramics,
jewelry, cane weaving, leadlighting, theatre, patchwork/quilting,
weaving, doll making and various other enterprising pursuits.
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These talents are typified by the trail of nine large
vibrant mosaics scattered around the town which commemorate
the rich history of Malanda's community - the Original
Inhabitants, Hardships and Struggles, Transport, Commerce,
Recollections, Early Settlers, the Dairy Industry, Recreation
and Looking Ahead.
.
Enjoy a stroll around the town to study each mosaic individually
as many details are camouflaged in the intricate designs,
revealing themselves on closer inspection, the hand made
ceramic border tiles telling more about the theme of the
central mosaic. See if you can locate the blue butterfly
in each mosaic! .
Savour the public artworks of Malanda:
Farmer,
horse , slide & dog - in front of Shire Council
Building Farmer,
kids & Fergie tractor - in front of Dairy Centre Majestic
Theatre - archtecture Malanda
Markets - local craft .
Community
Mosaics - Jack May Park Bronze
Statue - Jack May Park Exhibitions
- The Show, Festival Dairy
Museum - displays .
Itineraries
Malanda
town
Why not start your discovery
tour of the Atherton Tablelands with a walk around the
quaint village of Malanda. May we suggest a must 10 things
to see and do: .
1. The Malanda Hotel, built in 1911 claimed to be the
largest wooden structure in Australia with its grand ballroom
and staircase.
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2. The Majestic
Theatre said to be the oldest continually operating
cinema in Australia and with potato sack seating. "Saturday
night at the movies, who cares what picture you see!" .
3. Walk the Mosaic Trail starting at the town library
– Nine vibrant artworks which commemorate the rich
history of Malanda’s community.
4. The Malanda Dairy Centre
– showcasing the historical progress of Malanda and
its surrounds. View a work of art in progress, a large
tapestry depicting pioneering Australian aviatrixes, being
created by the Tableland Tapestry Weavers for display
in the Alice Springs Women’s Pioneer Museum. Take
a browse through the art and craft shop, let the aroma
of freshly roasted coffee entice you to stay and linger
longer.
5. A visit to the Fairy
Shop is a must – how many towns have one of these?
.
6. Jessie’s Porcelain Dolls and Craft – As well,
she boasts an excellent Australia wide mail order service.
.
7. For one of the best selections of wines in rural
Australia why not pop into The Little Bottler, where
you will be pleasantly surprised at their fantastic
range. .
8. The Malanda
Falls Visitor Centre where you can step back in
time to watch the creation of the Atherton Tablelands.
Learn about the geological, cultural and natural history
of Australia’s tropical rainforest. .
9. Across the road from the
Visitor’s Centre you can take a leisurely stroll
through the pristine remnant rainforest where you may
be fortunate enough to sight the rare Lumholtz Tree Climbing
Kangaroo, along with other rainforest wildlife. .
10. Top all this off with a refreshing swim in the Malanda
Falls swimming hole in a crocodile-free cool mountain
stream.
Ravenshoe
Circuit
From Millaa Millaa take the East Evelyn Road which travels
past the Millaa Millaa Lookout (spectacular views of
Mt. Bartle Frere) to join the Kennedy Highway and on
to Ravenshoe, Queensland’s highest town (920m).
This scenic route travels past Windy Hill Wind Farm,
Queensland’s only wind generated power system.
A must to see is the Ravenshoe Visitor Centre and just
a short drive out to The Millstream Falls.
From Ravenshoe take the Kennedy Highway north towards
Atherton. Follow the signs into Mt.Hypipamee National
Park to view the Crater which is a huge volcanic vent
hole and also Dinner Falls.
Rejoin the Kennedy Highway and travel west to the historical
mining town of Herberton with it’s interesting
displays of the tin mining era dating back to the mid
19th century and a world class camera museum.
Travel back to Malanda via the Herberton Range and
past Hastie‘s Swamp, with it’s world class
bird hide. .
The
Waterfall Circuit
From Malanda take the Palmerston Highway to Millaa Millaa
and on to the Theresa Creek Road to begin your picturesque
30km waterfalls drive, including the famous Millaa Millaa
Falls. Eat in or take yourself off for a picnic lunch,
the choice is yours!
. Lake
Tinaroo- Danbulla Circuit
For the adventurous circumnavigate Lake Tinaroo via
Danbulla Drive giving scenic views across the Lake,
stop off at the historic chimney site, eerie Mobo Crater,
and the amazing Cathedral Fig Tree before you join the
Gillies Highway to travel back to Malanda.
Atherton-Lake
Tinaroo Circuit
Travel to Atherton from Malanda where you can visit the
heritage listed Hou Wang Temple (a remnant of the north’s
Chinese connection with the gold mining era) and also
an extensive collection of gemstones and fossils in downtown
Atherton. Leave Atherton at this point to travel to the
Woodworks Gallery at Tolga and on to Tinaroo Village via
Kairi. Enjoy a walk on the Lake’s foreshore with
its fantastic picnic facilities before returning to Malanda. . More information about the Atherton area may be
veiwed at the Tropical Tablelands Tourism website.
The
Crater Lakes/Yungaburra/Peeramon
10 minutes drive from Malanda will find you at Lake Eacham,
ideal for swimming, bird watching, rainforest walk. Nearby
is the giant Red Cedar tree (estimated to be over 500
years old). Rejoin the Gillies Highway for a short drive
to Lake Barrine where you can enjoy a cruise on the lake
and/or delicious refreshments served at the foreshore
teahouse. At the historic village of Yungaburra walk the
heritage trail and/or the Allumbah Pocket nature trail,
visit the Lake Eacham Hotel or you may choose to dine
at one of the a la carte restaurants, or take a short
drive to the Curtain Fig Tree. Perhaps end your day with
a visit to the historic Peeramon Pub for a “coldie”
before returning to Malanda.
History and Indigenous Culture
Malanda was the Aboriginal name for the
North Johnstone River and Tutaboulin, the traditional
name for Malanda Falls. Malanda rainforest the home of
the pygmy-like Ngadjon Jii people whose food, shelter
and weapons were harvested from the forest. Their descendants
are treasured members of today's community and the local
Ngadjon Jii dance troupe are an essential part of the
Malanda Monsoon Festival.
.
From 1882, Christie Palmerston explored this area leading
the way for timber cutters, prospectors, and in 1906 land
surveyors. The first settlers arrived in 1907 bringing
with them tools to cut down the trees in order to establish
pastures for dairy cattle and a butter industry.
The Tolga - Johnstone Railway
reached Malanda in 1910 allowing outward transport of
cabinet timbers and cream. .
The English family built the magnificent timber hotel
and launched it with a gala social event that included
woodchop competitions, sports and dancing on the verandah.
The local pioneer families developed a thriving dairy
and grazing industry and new crops are such as macadamias,
avocados and bamboo shoots are being tested today. .
More information:
Ngadjon Jii website
Eacham Historical Society
website .
You're welcome to printout
a Destination Malanda flyer for display
About us
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Farmer,
horse , slide & dog - in front of Shire Council
Building
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