Atherton is a town of about 8,000 people and the centre of the Tablelands Regional Council. There are many cycling opportunities around the region, mainly on quiet, gravel, country roads.
The Mareeba to Atherton Rail Trail (32kms) is now complete and allows an easy extension to your ride.
The managers at the NRMA Parks and Resorts caravan park are very biker friendly. They are 1.6kms south of town on the Herberton Road, where you can easily access the rail trail in town.
If you are in your own car the two crater lakes Eacham and Barrine are delightful and a short drive from Atherton.
Yungaburra is 12kms from Atherton and offers several nice coffee shops and cafes as well as the Peterson Creek Platypus walk.
The IGA is regarded as one of the best in Australia and is situated near McDonalds and adjacent to the Information Centre.
Accommodation
- NRMA Atherton Tablelands Holiday Park (formerly Woodlands). Located at 141 Herberton Road. This is 1.4kms from the town centre. They have a bike wash-down and maintenance facility.
- Atherton Hinterland Motel (T: 07 40 913 311) – located close to Woolworths and other shop.
- Atherton Motel (T: 07 40 911 500) – located at 102 Maunds Road, Atherton.
Food recommendations in Atherton
- Cyclers central is The Station Café at the start of The Pioneer Trail. Maggie and her daughter Claire love cyclists and serve a great array of deli type food and great coffee.
- Billycart Brewery (65 Tolga Road, 1km from the centre of town) should not be missed. Great craft beer and a different food van each night. The Brewery can be accessed by cycling north along the Rail Trail. Very biker friendly. Trivia every 2nd Thursday. Only open Thursday to Sunday 12 noon to 9.00pm.
Food recommendations in Tolga
- Good coffee at the SpringBean Café in the main Street.
- Lenny’s St Eatery on the main highway.
Bicycle hire
- DirteBike. Contact Peter Blakey (M: 0436 452 416; E: blakeyp64@gmail.com; FaceBook)
- Anthony Lincy is new to Atherton but is an excellent bike mechanic and may have some rental bikes in the future (M: 0475 792 523).
Attractions
- A multitude of options around Atherton.
- The Crysal Caves on Main Street in Atherton.
Other Cycling Options
- Seven Sisters Loop – A 22kms loop starting and finishing in Yungaburra. Maps at the information Centre in Yungaburra.
- Atherton Forest Mountain Bike Park – 50kms of MTB trails. This bike park is renowned Australia wide.
- Tolga/Kairi Loop – 30kms of very quiet, mainly gravel roads. This is a great warm up for The Pioneer Trail.