Lake Barrine
Lake Volcanic crater lake within Queensland's Crater Lakes NP
A volcanic crater lake in Queensland’s Atherton Tablelands; rainforest walks, boat cruises and a historic teahouse attract day‑trippers.
Lake Barrine is a volcanic crater lake on the Atherton Tablelands in Far North Queensland, Australia. It lies within Crater Lakes National Park and is one of the region’s small crater lakes.
Fringed by rainforest, the shoreline is accessible by short walking tracks and there are small visitor facilities at the lake. The setting is used for short walks, wildlife viewing and boat cruises on the water.
The lake occupies a volcanic crater formed by past eruptions; the surrounding forest and the lake were set aside for conservation as part of the national park. The area has been managed for both conservation and low-impact recreation.
The lake sits near the village of Yungaburra on the Atherton Tablelands, inland from the city of Cairns in northeastern Queensland.
- Boardwalk: A short lakeside walk passes through rainforest and offers close views of the shoreline.
- Park status: Located inside Crater Lakes National Park which protects the lake and surrounding rainforest.
How to Get to Lake Barrine #
Lake Barrine is about a 25-40 minute drive from Atherton and roughly 1-1.5 hours from Cairns by road. The site is signposted from main Tablelands roads and has a small car park; check Queensland Parks and Wildlife Service for seasonal updates.
Tips for Visiting Lake Barrine #
- Take the Crater Lakes Circuit walking track early to enjoy rainforest sounds and fewer people.
- Watch for tree-kangaroos and platypus in quieter creeks around the lake.
- Bring a light rain jacket-tropical showers are common even in fine weather.
Best Time to Visit Lake Barrine #
May-October (dry season) offers the most comfortable hiking and wildlife-spotting conditions.
Weather & Climate near Lake Barrine #
Lake Barrine's climate is classified as Humid Subtropical (Dry Winter) - Humid Subtropical (Dry Winter) climate with warm summers (peaking in January) and mild winters (coldest in July). Temperatures range from 12°C to 28°C. Abundant rainfall (1960 mm/year), wettest in February with a pronounced dry season.
January
January is the warmest month with highs of 28°C and lows of 19°C. Heavy rain (261 mm).
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February
February is mild with highs of 27°C and lows of 20°C. The wettest month with heavy rain (450 mm).
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March
March is mild with highs of 26°C and lows of 19°C. Heavy rain (281 mm).
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April
April is mild with highs of 24°C and lows of 17°C. Heavy rain (260 mm).
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May
May is mild with highs of 22°C and lows of 15°C. Significant rainfall (163 mm).
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June
June is cool with highs of 21°C and lows of 12°C. Regular rainfall (93 mm).
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July
July is the coolest month with highs of 20°C and lows of 12°C. Moderate rainfall (74 mm).
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August
August is cool with highs of 22°C and lows of 12°C. Moderate rainfall (59 mm).
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September
September is mild with highs of 24°C and lows of 14°C. Moderate rainfall (43 mm).
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October
October is mild with highs of 26°C and lows of 16°C. The driest month with just 29 mm.
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November
November is mild with highs of 28°C and lows of 17°C. Moderate rainfall (69 mm).
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December
December is mild with highs of 28°C and lows of 19°C. Significant rainfall (178 mm).
