Lake Eacham, QLD: Getting there, swimming, walks & wildlife

Volcano-formed Lake Eacham in the Crater Lakes National Park, Queensland, is a fabulous crocodile-free Atherton Tableland swimming spot. But the Lake Circuit Track around the shore is a great opportunity to spot native wildlife.

How was Lake Eacham formed?

Lake Eacham in the Crater Lakes National Park, Queensland, was more than 9,000 years ago by a volcano. The groundwater superheated, there were two massive explosions, and the resulting crater filled with rainwater.

To enjoy sunset at Lake Eacham on an Atherton Tableland day tour from Cairns, book here.

Crater Lakes National Park, Queensland

These days, Lake Eacham looks much more peaceful. It’s a glorious blue pool surrounded by rainforest in the Atherton Tableland, and is part of the Wet Tropics World Heritage Area.

The Crater Lakes National Park was founded in 1994, with Lake Eacham lumped in with nearby Lake Barrine.

Where is Lake Eacham?

Lake Eacham is just off the Gillies Range Road from Gordonvale to Atherton. The nearest town is Yungaburra, home of the Yungaburra Markets.

The distance from Cairns to Lake Eacham is 66km. That makes for a driving time of around one hour and nine minutes.

The easiest way to visit Lake Eacham from Cairns is on an Atherton Tableland day tour. Costing $129 at the time of writing, these tours also stop at other beauty spots such as Josephine Falls, the Hypapimee Crater, Millaa Millaa Falls, the Curtain Fig Tree and the Babinda Boulders.

The tours can be booked online.

Swimming at Lake Eacham, QLD

It’s possible to go swimming in Lake Eacham – in fact, steps have been installed to make swimming easier. It’s too high up for crocs to reach, so there are no crocodiles at Lake Eacham.

Non-motorised watercraft such as kayaks are also permitted.

Lake Eacham in the Atherton Tableland, Queensland — Lake Eacham in the Atherton Tableland is part of the Crater Lakes National Park. Photo courtesy of Tourism and Events Queensland.

There are also picnic tables here, although camping is not permitted at Lake Eacham.

You might, however, prefer to go for a walk. Lake Eacham isn’t enormous, and the walk around the circumference is about 3km long. The Lake Circuit Track is relatively flat, and should take about an hour to complete.

Lake Eacham wildlife

There’s also a good chance of seeing wildlife along the way. More than 180 species of bird have been recorded in the area, while enormous Amethystine pythons live in the surrounding forests. You’re also likely to see turtles and frogs in the lake itself.

In terms of mammals, keep an eye out for bats, possums, kangaroos and bandicoots.

Atherton Tableland day trip

If you hire a car in Cairns, Lake Eacham can easily be included in a looping day’s drive.

This day trip can include the enormous Cathedral Fig tree in Danbulla National Park, the Curtain Fig near Yungaburra, the Golden Drop fruit winery in Biboohra and the Kuranda Koala Gardens or the Barron Gorge National Park in Kuranda.

Several of these spots are also visited on day tours. Various options are listed on the Viator site, and can be explored here.

Trip-booster! 8 great day trips from Cairns to power-up your holiday

Kuranda combo package – take the Kuranda Scenic Railway up and the Skyrail cable car down.
Green Island tours with beach time, glass bottom boat and snorkelling. (Or pick a Fitzroy Island trip instead).
Moore Reef day tour – with underwater observatory, snorkelling gear, glass bottom boat & semi-submersible cruises.
Great Barrier Reef snorkelling cruise – with snorkelling stops at two excellent spots on the Reef.
Cape Tribulation rainforest day tour – with Mossman Gorge Aboriginal cultural experience and Daintree River crocodile-watching cruise.
Atherton Tableland waterfalls and rainforest tour – including wildlife-spotting and a swim in a volcanic lake.
Outback 4WD tour – visiting Chillagoe Caves, Aboriginal rock art and Granite Gorge.