Farmland on the Atherton Tablelands
I am frequently amazed at the number of families visiting Tropical North Queensland that give the Atherton Tablelands a miss. A short hours drive from Cairns, the Tablelands offer varied scenery, wildlife experiences, relief from the searing heat of the coast, and some pretty spectacular food. Food tourism is well established on the Tablelands with a host of companies offering gourmet tasting tours. None of these caters for families with small children though so a self-drive tour is your best option. We recently trialed this family food trail ourselves. The drive to Stop 1 is about 1 ½ hours from Cairns. Plan to dedicate the better part of the day to the food trail depending on whether you decide to explore the region further.
From Cairns drive south along the Bruce Highway and turn right into the Gillies Highway.
Stop 1: Shaylee Strawberry Farm
Location: On the corner of Gillies Highway and Marks Lane between Atherton and Yungaburra.
Shaylee Strawberry farm is open for strawberry picking to the public from July to November. At other times you can purchase strawberry jam, gelato and ice-cream.
From Shaylee Strawberry Farm head down Marks Lane turning left at Malanda-Atherton Road and head towards stop 2.
Stop 2: Gallo Dairyland
Location on Malanda-Atherton Road East Barron .
Gallo Dairyland provides an educational dairy experience. Visitors can view cow milking (3pm daily) and cheese and chocolate making. A café provides light meals. You can purchase some mighty fine cheese and chocolates here. My young children also love the free animal nursery that is onsite.
After visiting Gallo Dairyland head back towards Atherton and turn right into the Kennedy Highway towards stop 3.
Stop 3: The Peanut Place
Location: On Kennedy Highway Tolga.
This roadside shop sells yummy locally grown raw, boiled, flavoured and roasted peanuts. We have a peanut butter addict in the family so I stocked up here.
Next head on the Kennedy Highway towards Cairns. Turn right at the lights toward Kuranda Village down Rob Velvers Drive to Stop 4.
Stop 4: Kuranda Home Made Tropical Fruit Ice Cream.
Location: Kuranda Village on Rob Velvers Drive near the entrance to Emu Ridge Gallery.
Those that stay to watch the milking at Gallo Dairyland may not arrive at Stop 4 prior to closing time (4pm). Kuranda Home Made Tropical Fruit Ice Cream, as its name implies sells homemade ice-cream. All the flavours are sourced locally (except ginger) and are 100% natural. As well as standard family favourites this ice-cream van sells exotic fruit flavours such as dragonfruit and custard apple.
After an exquisite day of delicious food head back on the Kennedy Highway to Smithfield where it joins the Captain Cook Highway.
Cheese tasting at Gallo Dairyland
Shaylee Strawberry Farm on the Atherton Tablelands
The Peanut Place. Atherton Tablelands
Kuranda Homemade Tropical Fruit Ice-Cream
This post is linked to Friday Daydreamin at R We There Yet Mom?
Thankyou for including us in your Tableland tour. The Atherton Tablelands has so much to offer and is well worth the drive.
You are most welcome. Gallo Dairyland really makes a special effort for families with little kids (I didn’t even write about the toy corner).