Tinaroo Falls Dam

Completed in 1958, Sunwater’s Tinaroo Falls Dam is one of the few reminders of a once-thriving tobacco industry. At a cost of $12 million, its primary purpose was to ensure continuity of water supply to a crop that brought great wealth to the Atherton Tableland. From 2008 to 2013, $24.7 million was invested in the Tinaroo Falls Dam Improvement Project. This included installation of active crest anchors, a dam crest wave wall, downstream protection works and raising the saddle dam.

Lake Tinaroo is a popular location for many recreation activities, including swimming, boating, water sports and camping. Thanks to fish-stocking efforts, the lake has become a destination for recreational anglers due to the extraordinary size of its resident barramundi. The lake continues to provide water supply to the same farms that now produce a wide variety of crops including fruit and vegetables, sugar cane and coffee.

The dam also has an important role in generating hydroelectricity locally.

Saturday 28 Oct 2023
Post-conference Technical Tour
0700 - 0900 Departure from Cairns Convention Centre
0900 - 1100 Site inspection of Tinaroo Falls Dam hosted by Sunwater, including morning refreshments
1100 - 1130 Coach travel
1130 - 1300 Howe Farming, tour of avocado and banana packing sheds and Okey Creek Dam
1300 - 1330 Coach travel
1330 - 1415 Lunch at Mareeba
1415 - 1500 Coach travel to Kuranda
1510 For those returning to Cairns via rail, leave coach at Kuranda station
1530 Train departure
1725 Train arrives at Cairns Station - only a 10-15 minute walk back to the Cairns Convention Centre /your hotel.
1500 For those returning to Cairns via coach, travel to Holloways Beach
1530 Afternoon refreshments and a beach/esplanade stroll at your leisure
1630 Coach departure for Cairns
1700 Coach drop off if required at Cairns Airport
1730 Coach return to Cairns Convention Centre
Ticket prices, for delegates and guests, 3 options:
  • Coach, round trip $150
  • Coach, Gold Class train return * $225 (25 seats only, first in best dressed)
  • Coach, Royale Class train return ^ $200

*Gold Class

  • Dedicated attendant service
  • Individual seating, lounge-style chairs
  • Ambient, historical carriage décor
  • Kuranda Scenic Railway gift pack including Kuranda Scenic Railway badge, pen and postcard
  • Souvenir trip guide
  • Stop and disembark at Din Din (Barron Falls) station, with stunning views of Din Din (Barron Falls)
  • Afternoon Tea featuring a selection of Queensland and local Tablelands produce such as Gallo Dairyland Cheese, Skybury Coffee, Wondaree Macadamias, Tropical Sorbets, freshly baked muffins, quality Australian white and red wines and Great Northern Brewing Company Super Crisp Lager
  • Welcome drinks served onboard the train, 20 minutes prior to departure, when boarding at Kuranda Station
  • Food and beverage service ends at Freshwater Station, 20 minutes before arrival at Cairns Station

^Royale Class

  • Souvenir trip guide available
  • Seating in refurbished Heritage carriages
  • Ambient, historical carriage décor
  • Audio commentary
  • Stop and disembark at Barron Falls station, with stunning views of Din Din (Barron Falls)
  • Chilled refresher towel, in summer months
  • Filtered water available in each carriage
  • Served by our Guest Service Attendants
  • Australian sparkling wine, orange juice, locally grown macadamia nuts and souvenir postcard.

The tour itinerary will be announced soon.
Please note that the departure time for the tour will be Sunday at 8.00 am and as such ensure your flight into Adelaide is on Saturday.