Crater Lakes National Park comprises of two separate sections - Lake Barrine and Lake Eacham. Both sections protect clear, blue crater lakes surrounded by cool rainforest. At Lake Barrine a walking track, giant bull kauri pine trees and privately-owned teahouse and boat cruises make it a popular stop for visitors. Lake Eacham, a favourite of locals and visitors alike, offers swimming, birdwatching, picnic areas and shady walking tracks.
Lake Barrine is on the eastern part of the Atherton Tableland. It is about 60 km or one hour's drive from Cairns via the Gillies Highway. The Atherton Tableland is also accessible via the Kennedy Highway from Cairns, the Palmerston Highway from Innisfail or the Mossman Mt Molloy Road from Port Douglas. In geological terms Lake Barrine is a volcanic maar, surrounded by rainforest. The deep waters of the lake and the pleasant coolness of the Atherton Tableland have combined to make Lake Barrine a popular stop for visitors to the area. The track around the lake allows for forest-fringed, secluded views of the lake and excellent opportunities for viewing wildlife. A pair of towering bull kauri pine trees, over 45 m tall, is a feature of the park.
Lake cruises operate from the privately-owned Lake Barrine Teahouse. The gentle boat trip gives a different perspective on the lake and its wildlife. The privately-owned teahouse offers meals with relaxed views over the water.
Picnic tables, shelters, toilets, and barbecues are provided and two viewing decks offer uninterrupted views of the lake and its inhabitants. Visitors are encouraged to place their rubbish in the bins provided and to refrain from feeding the wildlife, including the fish and turtles. Enjoy a cool dip or snorkel the edges of Lake Eacham. Steps, ramps and ladders have been provided. Do not jump or dive from viewing decks, the pontoon, concrete blocks, lake edges or overhanging vegetation. Be aware of submerged objects and other swimmers. Commercial diving is not permitted.
Lake Eacham is on the eastern part of the Atherton Tableland, about 68 km or just over one hours drive from Cairns via the Gillies Highway. The Atherton Tableland is also accessible via the Kennedy Highway from Cairns, the Palmerston Highway from Innisfail or the Mossman Mount Molloy Road from Port Douglas. Lake Eacham is a clear, blue lake surrounded by lush rainforest. Walking tracks through the rainforest provide secluded forest-fringed views of the lake and excellent opportunities for viewing wildlife.
In geological terms, the lake is a maar a volcanic crater formed by massive explosions from the superheating of groundwater. The crater has filled with water, forming a lake 65 m deep. A number of rainforest communities can be seen along the 3 km track encircling the lake. Over 180 bird species have been recorded from the rainforest here and you may be lucky enough to see one of the few species of marsupial active during daytime - the small musky rat-kangaroo.
Picnic tables, shelters, toilets, and barbecues are provided and two viewing decks offer uninterrupted views of the lake and its inhabitants. Visitors are encouraged to place their rubbish in the bins provided and to refrain from feeding the wildlife, including the fish and turtles.
