Atherton Tablelands

Queensland, Australia | 265km

Image: Mark Watson

The roads up here are heaven on a Harley^®. Kick-off by following the Captain Cook Highway north out of Cairns; a spectacular stretch of tarmac that runs right along the uniquely tropical blue-green Coral Sea – a reminder of just how far north you are. After a compulsory stop in the picturesque Port Douglas, head inland towards Mount Molloy and thread your way up through the rainforest. When you get to the top the terrain flattens and the views are impressive – Lake Mitchell is a stunner. At Mareeba you can opt to take the Kennedy Highway back to Cairns – a very respectable riding road – but then you’d miss a massive dose of high-quality corner crunching along the Gillies Highway – 19 kilometres with 360 corners! Mountain ranges, waterfalls, cane fields and great roads, this place has it all.

Waterfall watching
If you’re a fan of naturally falling water, then all of your watery wishes come true here. A 17-kilometre circuit encompassing the most photographed waterfalls in Australia – Millaa Millaa Falls, Zillie Falls and Ellinjaa Falls. Don’t forget to pack your swimmers!

Step back in time
A short detour out of Atherton will get you to the Herberton Historic Village. This living museum celebrates Australia’s timber, farming and mining history with shops, a functioning tearoom, antique motor vehicles (including a 1923 Harley), vintage tractors and more.

Click here to view this route in the Harley-Davidson Ride Planner and start planning your next adventure.

Originally published in 2023.

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