Atherton Tablelands Rail Trail
40.22 kmCoarse gravel overall. Good, hard-packed, shaded surface between Mareeba and Mareeba Airport. Rougher going with soft sand and loose rock on the approx. 7-8km stretch between Mareeba Airport and Walkamin, an unsealed section riders have reported needing to walk in places (under progressive resurfacing by QLD DTMR as of 2024-2025). Generally good packed gravel from Walkamin through Rocky Creek to Tolga and on into Atherton, with some sandy patches reported near Tolga.Mareeba to Atherton (Peter St)
A rail trail on the Atherton Tablelands linking Mareeba and Atherton along the former Cairns-Ravenshoe railway corridor, opened in 1903. The route climbs from Mareeba (approx. 400m elevation) up onto the Tablelands, passing through eucalypt woodland and farmland, the small settlements of Walkamin and the WWII-era Rocky Creek war memorial site, and the town of Tolga, before finishing at Peter St on the southern outskirts of Atherton. Rich Aboriginal and WWII history along the way, with produce stalls and coffee shops in the regional towns at either end.
Mareeba to Walkamin (approx. 14.6km): good, shaded gravel surface heading south from Mareeba towards Mareeba Airport; a since-upgraded 7km section between the airport and Walkamin. Walkamin to Rocky Creek (approx. 7.8km): gentle grade through mixed eucalypt and farmland, crossing the Kennedy Highway via an underpass near Rocky Creek. Rocky Creek to Atherton (approx. 12.6km): continues south through Tolga and agricultural land to Platypus Park in Atherton, then on to Peter St via the Atherton-Herberton Historic Rail Trail extension.
Route & amenities map
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Amenities (105)
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