The Loop
Image by JH Photography & Prints
Real stories. Local adventures. Life on the Tablelands.
Real stories. Local adventures. Life on the Tablelands.
Welcome to The Loop — your insider’s look at what life’s really like across the Atherton Tablelands. From scenic drives and secret swimming holes to gardening tips, family outings and profiles of local legends, this is where the region comes to life in words and pictures.
Everything here is written by locals, for locals (and those who wish they were).
All
26
Family Life
6
Playgrounds, kid-friendly spots, swimming holes, weekend ideas
For those adventuring with little ones in tow.
For those adventuring with little ones in tow.
Local Adventures
14
Walks, day trips, hikes, waterfalls, scenic drives
Discover the best ways to explore the Tablelands by foot, car, or trail.
Discover the best ways to explore the Tablelands by foot, car, or trail.
Sustainable Living
7
Gardening tips, foraging, seasonal food, plastic-free life
Smart, conscious living rooted in the region.
Smart, conscious living rooted in the region.
Tales of the Tablelands
4
First-person stories, local profiles, guest contributions
Real voices. Local insight. Stories worth sharing.
Real voices. Local insight. Stories worth sharing.
A Beginner’s Guide to Composting
Compost is a soil-like material that is created when vegetable and plant matter break down. It’s widely accepted around the world as a superfood for your garden, but it’s not a modern gardening concep...
Veggie Gardening in Hot Months
Looking for inspiration for your Tablelands veggie garden in November? My advice is: Wait until March! Yes, use the months between now and then to plan and prepare your garden beds, but if you are not...
Backyard Gardening Tips
On the Tablelands, I always encourage beginner gardeners to start growing veggies in Autumn because we have ideal conditions then. Spring here is often frustratingly hot and dry. Here are some tips to...
Atherton Mountain Bike Park for beginners
I’d like to start this article with a disclaimer. I’m an amateur mountain biker, actually I would hesitate to classify myself to that standard. I’m one of those annoying bikers that presses the brakes...
Discover the Atherton Mountain Bike Park
Tucked into the hills above Atherton, the Atherton Forest Mountain Bike Park has become one of Far North Queensland’s most respected riding destinations. With over 70km of trails winding through nativ...
Camping FNQ’s Overlooked Wilderness
I was scrolling through the National Parks website a few months ago checking on the “park alerts” page for any closures that may thwart my future travels, when I noticed a couple of parks that I had n...
The Lost Causeway
A little over 20 years ago I found myself in the position of photographically recording the rapidly deteriorating infrastructure that once belonged to the Department of Forestry in North Queensland. I...
Discovering Queensland’s Dinosaur Trail
If you’ve got dinosaur lovers in the family — or you’re just after an adventure packed with discovery, quirky towns, and big open skies — the Queensland Dinosaur Trail delivers in spades. Beginning in...
Station Stays on the Atherton Tablelands
There’s been a new development in recent years with property owners opening their gates to travelers and campers. It’s been getting harder to find places to camp with more and more people getting bitt...
10 Family Ideas for Rainy Days on the Tablelands
Anyone tired of the rain? Check out these Rainy Day Tips (printed in the March 2020 issue of What’s On & Where to Go Magazine)
Skateparks & Pump Tracks on the Atherton Tablelands
For all our readers who are bike crazy (or have bike crazy children) here is a list of Skate Parks and Pump Tracks across the Tablelands. From easy to advanced tracks, there’s something for everyone o...
Kid Friendly Cafes & Restaurants on the Atherton Tablelands
We can all think back to a time we were told to sit quietly at the table while our parents conversed with family and friends. With a rumbling belly and an overactive, impatient mind that was itching t...
Living With Snakes
There are over 40 species of snakes found in Tropical North Queensland, and the Atherton Tablelands offers a range of varied and unique habitat types for many of them. These include the highly venomou...
Stannary Hills and North Queensland’s Mining Heritage
Wandering the backroads of North Queensland, it becomes obvious that not too long ago there were many people living and working in these remote and dusty locations. Sometimes you need to look deeply t...
Horse Riding on the Atherton Tablelands
The Atherton Tablelands is a great area for horse riding; there are several options available for both horse and rider to experience a variety of trails and scenery. It is very pleasant to own a horse...
Lake Barrine Walk
Yungaburra is a small rural village decorated with baskets of coloured flowers and unique little cafés. The village is the largest National Trust village in Queensland with many heritage listed build...
Winter Gardening: It’s Cool
Imagine for a moment that you live in England. You’re on the opposite side of the planet so summer has just started for you. Today you had a minimum of 10°C and a maximum of 20°C. Sound familiar? Engl...
Romantic Picnic Places
Whether it’s the first date or the thirtieth anniversary, a picnic is a perfect romantic activity to strengthen a relationship, and there’s no shortage of beautiful spots on the Tablelands. Our top pi...
Plastic Free July
Reducing the amount of plastic in our lives can improve our general wellbeing. If you avoid plastic, you are more likely to consume whole foods, avoid unhealthy processed foods, feel comfortable by we...
Overnight Hikes – Walter’s Waterhole
In the few months that it is not raining, Tully Falls National Park boasts some of the loveliest walks in the region. Located in the southwest corner of the Tablelands, the park is known for its prist...
Dealing with the Excess (Food Waste & Preserving)
Imagining three months ahead is normal for me. Those of us who grow annual veggies do this all the time, conscious of the delay between the planting of a seed and the harvest.
Here in May I am now pl...
Exploring Art Galleries on the Atherton Tablelands
Nestled throughout the picturesque Atherton Tablelands lies a vibrant art scene waiting to be discovered. From traditional Aboriginal art to contemporary pieces by local and international artists, the...
Swimming on the Atherton Tablelands
Swimming can be an awesome way to spend a day with kids . Enjoyable for both adults and children, with the extra bonus of burning off all the excess energy that kids tend to have, it’s a win-win. Find...
Discovering Kuranda: A Fun-Filled Adventure
Kuranda, the quaint village nestled in the lush rainforest of Far North Queensland, is a picturesque destination for a family adventure. Whether your kids are keen on animal encounters, experiences, o...
Playgrounds for Wet Weather
Hooray! It’s the wet season! Time to get our boots and rain jackets on and be prepared to get wet, or in true Millaa Millaa style embrace the elements barefoot and jacket-free. For a lot of the past y...
Where To Go Map 2024-25
It’s holiday season and it’s time to go exploring! Natural wonders abound on the Tablelands and we have highlighted some of the most popular options in the Where to Go Map on pages 8 and 9 of the Dece...
Discovering Queensland’s Dinosaur Trail
If you’ve got dinosaur lovers in the family — or you’re just after an adventure packed with discovery, quirky towns, and big open skies — the Queensland Dinosaur Trail delivers in spades. Beginning in...
10 Family Ideas for Rainy Days on the Tablelands
Anyone tired of the rain? Check out these Rainy Day Tips (printed in the March 2020 issue of What’s On & Where to Go Magazine)
Skateparks & Pump Tracks on the Atherton Tablelands
For all our readers who are bike crazy (or have bike crazy children) here is a list of Skate Parks and Pump Tracks across the Tablelands. From easy to advanced tracks, there’s something for everyone o...
Kid Friendly Cafes & Restaurants on the Atherton Tablelands
We can all think back to a time we were told to sit quietly at the table while our parents conversed with family and friends. With a rumbling belly and an overactive, impatient mind that was itching t...
Swimming on the Atherton Tablelands
Swimming can be an awesome way to spend a day with kids . Enjoyable for both adults and children, with the extra bonus of burning off all the excess energy that kids tend to have, it’s a win-win. Find...
Playgrounds for Wet Weather
Hooray! It’s the wet season! Time to get our boots and rain jackets on and be prepared to get wet, or in true Millaa Millaa style embrace the elements barefoot and jacket-free. For a lot of the past y...
Atherton Mountain Bike Park for beginners
I’d like to start this article with a disclaimer. I’m an amateur mountain biker, actually I would hesitate to classify myself to that standard. I’m one of those annoying bikers that presses the brakes...
Discover the Atherton Mountain Bike Park
Tucked into the hills above Atherton, the Atherton Forest Mountain Bike Park has become one of Far North Queensland’s most respected riding destinations. With over 70km of trails winding through nativ...
Camping FNQ’s Overlooked Wilderness
I was scrolling through the National Parks website a few months ago checking on the “park alerts” page for any closures that may thwart my future travels, when I noticed a couple of parks that I had n...
Discovering Queensland’s Dinosaur Trail
If you’ve got dinosaur lovers in the family — or you’re just after an adventure packed with discovery, quirky towns, and big open skies — the Queensland Dinosaur Trail delivers in spades. Beginning in...
Station Stays on the Atherton Tablelands
There’s been a new development in recent years with property owners opening their gates to travelers and campers. It’s been getting harder to find places to camp with more and more people getting bitt...
Stannary Hills and North Queensland’s Mining Heritage
Wandering the backroads of North Queensland, it becomes obvious that not too long ago there were many people living and working in these remote and dusty locations. Sometimes you need to look deeply t...
Horse Riding on the Atherton Tablelands
The Atherton Tablelands is a great area for horse riding; there are several options available for both horse and rider to experience a variety of trails and scenery. It is very pleasant to own a horse...
Lake Barrine Walk
Yungaburra is a small rural village decorated with baskets of coloured flowers and unique little cafés. The village is the largest National Trust village in Queensland with many heritage listed build...
Romantic Picnic Places
Whether it’s the first date or the thirtieth anniversary, a picnic is a perfect romantic activity to strengthen a relationship, and there’s no shortage of beautiful spots on the Tablelands. Our top pi...
Overnight Hikes – Walter’s Waterhole
In the few months that it is not raining, Tully Falls National Park boasts some of the loveliest walks in the region. Located in the southwest corner of the Tablelands, the park is known for its prist...
Exploring Art Galleries on the Atherton Tablelands
Nestled throughout the picturesque Atherton Tablelands lies a vibrant art scene waiting to be discovered. From traditional Aboriginal art to contemporary pieces by local and international artists, the...
Swimming on the Atherton Tablelands
Swimming can be an awesome way to spend a day with kids . Enjoyable for both adults and children, with the extra bonus of burning off all the excess energy that kids tend to have, it’s a win-win. Find...
Discovering Kuranda: A Fun-Filled Adventure
Kuranda, the quaint village nestled in the lush rainforest of Far North Queensland, is a picturesque destination for a family adventure. Whether your kids are keen on animal encounters, experiences, o...
Where To Go Map 2024-25
It’s holiday season and it’s time to go exploring! Natural wonders abound on the Tablelands and we have highlighted some of the most popular options in the Where to Go Map on pages 8 and 9 of the Dece...
A Beginner’s Guide to Composting
Compost is a soil-like material that is created when vegetable and plant matter break down. It’s widely accepted around the world as a superfood for your garden, but it’s not a modern gardening concep...
Veggie Gardening in Hot Months
Looking for inspiration for your Tablelands veggie garden in November? My advice is: Wait until March! Yes, use the months between now and then to plan and prepare your garden beds, but if you are not...
Backyard Gardening Tips
On the Tablelands, I always encourage beginner gardeners to start growing veggies in Autumn because we have ideal conditions then. Spring here is often frustratingly hot and dry. Here are some tips to...
Living With Snakes
There are over 40 species of snakes found in Tropical North Queensland, and the Atherton Tablelands offers a range of varied and unique habitat types for many of them. These include the highly venomou...
Winter Gardening: It’s Cool
Imagine for a moment that you live in England. You’re on the opposite side of the planet so summer has just started for you. Today you had a minimum of 10°C and a maximum of 20°C. Sound familiar? Engl...
Plastic Free July
Reducing the amount of plastic in our lives can improve our general wellbeing. If you avoid plastic, you are more likely to consume whole foods, avoid unhealthy processed foods, feel comfortable by we...
Dealing with the Excess (Food Waste & Preserving)
Imagining three months ahead is normal for me. Those of us who grow annual veggies do this all the time, conscious of the delay between the planting of a seed and the harvest.
Here in May I am now pl...
The Lost Causeway
A little over 20 years ago I found myself in the position of photographically recording the rapidly deteriorating infrastructure that once belonged to the Department of Forestry in North Queensland. I...
Stannary Hills and North Queensland’s Mining Heritage
Wandering the backroads of North Queensland, it becomes obvious that not too long ago there were many people living and working in these remote and dusty locations. Sometimes you need to look deeply t...
Lake Barrine Walk
Yungaburra is a small rural village decorated with baskets of coloured flowers and unique little cafés. The village is the largest National Trust village in Queensland with many heritage listed build...
Dealing with the Excess (Food Waste & Preserving)
Imagining three months ahead is normal for me. Those of us who grow annual veggies do this all the time, conscious of the delay between the planting of a seed and the harvest.
Here in May I am now pl...