Getting there
Flights to Cairns operate from every Australian capital city and direct flights are available from Auckland, Wellington and Christchurch. Atherton is approximately 100km from Cairns airport and is accessible via bus or car. If hiring a car to travel to Atherton we recommend contacting other AQUA members (or contact us to put travelers in touch) to share car hire and travel.
Trans-north Bus. Cairns-Atherton, with two stops in the Cairns area (CBD and Smithfield). Specific route information, map and timetable included here – http://www.transnorthbus.com.au/bus-services/cairns-atherton
For latest public transport information, including updates/disruptions to services, see – https://translink.com.au/cairns
There are also airport shuttle services, something which could work for group bookings. Examples include,
http://www.tablelandstoursandtransfers.com.au/transfers.php
https://1300rideshare.com.au/index.php
https://www.jayride.com/suburb-transfer/australia/atherton-4883-queensland
Uber options, and taxi companies do have branches in Atherton (131-008 Taxi in particular).
Numerous car-rental companies based at the airport or close to it. Do recommend people book ahead due to tourist season.
Some accommodation places will arrange to meet guests in Cairns, particularly if there are a number of guests coinciding, so worth asking at the time of booking.
Accomodation
There are numerous accommodation options in Atherton.
The following is not an exhaustive list.
Atherton Hotel www.athertonhotel.com.au/accommodation
Rooms feature a flat screen television with Foxtel satellite channels and a queen bed in each room and ensuite bathroom. The hotel premises also includes off street car parking, coffee and tea making facilities and a laundry.
Room types:
- Studio Queen: 1 queen bed
- Studio Family: 1 queen bed and 3 single beds
- Studio Queen + Single: 1 Queen, 1 single
Special offer for AQUA2020 attendees: The Atherton Hotel have offered reduced rates ($95/night) for bed and breakfast accommodation for conference attendees. If this is of interest, contact Julie Reedy (07) 4091 7611 at the hotel and state that you are attending the AQUA Conference to secure a room.
Motels
Atherton Motel www.athertonmotel.com.au
A variety of rooms sleeping 1–5 people.
Prices range from $130 to $150 per night.
Summit Rainforest Retreat https://www.summitrr.com.au/en-us
Offers a variety of room options, including single, double and triple bed rooms, a 1BR apartment and 4BR house.
Prices start at $120/night twin share
The Atherton Hinterland Motel http://www.athertonhinterlandmotel.com.au/
Offers a variety of options, from standard queen and twin rooms, to family rooms and a 2BR apartment.
Prices range from $125 – $185 per night
B&Bs
Atherton Blue Gum B&B www.athertonbluegum.com/en-us
Various room options.
Prices range around $120 – $140/night
Caravan Parks and Campgrounds
Atherton Halloran’s Leaisure Park
Offers powered and unpowered campsites and a variety of cabins (villas)
For prices: https://www.halloransleisurepark.com/rates/
Big4 Atherton Tableands Holiday Park https://www.nrmaparksandresorts.com.au/atherton-tablelands/
Offers a variety of accommodation options from unpowered campsites to small ‘ecocabins’ to large cabins and villas that accommodate up to 6 people.
Prices range from $31 – $185/night
Atherton Holiday Park http://www.athertonholidaypark.com/
Offers powered and unpowered campsites, ensuite campsites and a variety of cabins including 2 bedroom cottages, Family Villas and Stone Cottages.
See http://www.athertonholidaypark.com/accommodation for rates
Backpackers/Youth Hostels
Atherton Backpackers www.athertonbackpackers.com.au
Offer a variety of accommodation options, including dorm rooms, single rooms, double rooms and some rooms with private ensuite.
Prices range from $30 – $90 per night
The Barron Valley Hotel. https://bvhotel.com.au/accommodation/
Just down the road from the conference venue. The website mentions that it has backpacker accommodation but provides no further details.
For more information: Phone: 07 4091 1222; Email: info@bvhotel.com.au