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The Cairns Highland is well known as the Atherton Tablelands.The Atherton Tableland is a fertile plateau which is part of the Great Dividing Range in Queensland. It is located west to south-south ?west inland from Cairns.The area covers 64,768km2, the population within the area is about 47,000 concentrated in the major centres of Atherton, Mareeba, Malanda and Kuranda.

Despite being located in the tropics, there is a wide variation in climate across this area, influenced by changes in altitude and the Great Dividing Range. Eastern areas are generally wetter and cooler, whereas western areas are hotter and drier. Most mango orchards are located in western area. The agriculture of this area has a large diversity of plant and animal industries and production of both tropical and sub-tropical crops, including tree crops, field crops, animal industries and lifestyle horticulture.

Annual rainfall : 915.3mm
Elevation : 400m
Mareeba is a gateway town of the tablelands. The town's name is derived from an Aboriginal word meaning “meeting of the waters”. Mareeba is on the confluence of the Barron River, Granite Creek and Emerald Creek. Many crops are grown such as mangoes, avocados, sugar cane, pineapple and coffee. Tobacco was once a main-stay of the local economy, but is no longer grown in here. Unique mango wines are available here. The mango harvest season starts around Christmas time in this area. Mareeba is famous for hot air balloon tours because of consistently good weather and attractions such as rock wallabies in Granite Gorge and bird watching in the wetlands.

Elevation : 480m
Located 34km west of Mareeba and known for its large production of mangoes, Mutchilba each year hosts the “Mango Mardi Gras”, which is a celebration of the many mango farms in the region. The mango harvest starts in December in this area.

Mean max temp : 35℃
Mean min temp : 10.5℃
Annual rainfall : 783.2mm
Elevation : 407m
Dimbulah is located 48km west of Mareeba. A thriving tobacco industry supported the local economy until 2004 when government policy forced its demise. Dimbulah now produces alternative crops such as mango, avocado, limes and cash crops. The harvest season of mangoes starts at the end of November in Dimbulah.　When harvest season has started, many backpackers will visit Dimbulah to get a job. The Great Wheelbarrow race which is held every May is an important event in Dimbulah.This is a charity race running 140km from Mareeba to Chillagoe in the west with a wheelbarrow over 3 days.