The Atherton Tableland rail trail currently comprises three sections – 20km from Atherton to Walkamin, an ‘informal’ 7.5km section from Walkamin to Mareeba Airport, and a recently constructed 7km section from the Airport to Mareeba Heritage Museum.

Atherton and Mareeba have all facilities while Tolga (6 km north) has toilets, cafe and pub, while the small settlement of Walkamin (14.5 km north of Tolga) has toilets, car parking and a small store

Northern Section – Atherton to Walkamin – 20km

The trail begins at Platypus Park on the southern side of Atherton and runs through the centre of the township. There are many trails leading to the Atherton Forest Mountain Bike Park (refer to map here), and the Atherton Skills Park and MTB trailhead lie on the trail.

The trail runs north to Tolga, passing the Tolga Scrub, a remnant of endangered mabi forest that once covered most of the Atherton Tablelands.

A diversion off the trail leads to the popular 28km Tolga to Kairi cycling loop.

From Tolga the trail heads gently downhill to Rocky Creek, which, during World War II, housed the largest military hospital complex in the Southern Hemisphere with some 60,000 Australian soldiers treated here for war-related conditions.

The trail passes the restored Rocky Creek igloo, one of the complex’s remaining buildings. Across the road is the Rocky Creek campground and war memorial park, the focus of Victory in the Pacific celebrations each year. There are rest and toilet facilities at Rocky Creek.

The trail continues beneath the Kennedy Highway road bridge and runs a further six km north to the small village of Walkamin through agricultural land – (see map at current Atherton Tablelands Rail Trail)

Central Section – Walkamin to Mareeba Airport – 7.5km

From Walkamin heading north, the 7.5km trail to the Mareeba Airport adopts a gentle downhill grade but is rough and informally ridden. It passes through some attractive Eucalypt country as well as agricultural properties. Mareeba Shire Council have indicated that this section could be upgraded for use during 2023 which is great news!

Mareeba Airport to Mareeba Heritage Museum – 7km

Mareeba Shire Council have recently completed this section. It is a linear trail which offers an excellent surface and Eucalypt groves provide good morning and afternoon shade for most of the trail. The  Mareeba Heritage Museum is a wonderful end to your ride and offers Tours and Activities, Visitor Information and Events Calendar.

Once the link between Mareeba Airport and Walkamin is completed, the Atherton to Mareeba Rail Trail will be 36km – the fourth longest trail in Qld.