PORT DOUGLAS FOOD TOUR FIELD GUIDE
Award‑Winning, Adults‑Only Tablelands Tasting — A Day of Cheese, Chocolate and Spirits from Port Douglas
A full‑day culinary circuit from Port Douglas into the Atherton Tablelands that visits producers, distilleries and a lakeside teahouse — a practical guide to planning the nine‑hour tasting itinerary.
Award‑Winning, Adults‑Only Tablelands Tasting — A Day of Cheese, Chocolate and Spirits from Port Douglas.
Experience a culinary adventure through the Atherton Tablelands, where lush rainforests meet golden savannah plains and the region’s volcanic soils produce bananas, coffee, avocados, macadamia nuts and more — a day of boutique producers, handcrafted cheeses, chocolates and award‑winning spirits culminates in a tranquil rainforest finish.
This is a day tour of fixed duration that runs as a full‑day outing from Port Douglas.
Highlights
Outing Highlights
The Atherton Tablelands: a tropical food bowl
The tour threads through volcanic farmland and World Heritage rainforest on the Atherton Tablelands, a fertile region known for its diverse tropical produce — from citrus and mango to macadamias and coffee — and the small producers who distil and transform it.
Cheese, chocolate and spirits
Stops include a working dairy and cheese factory, a family ice‑creamery and North Queensland’s first distillery — an itinerary built around tasting handcrafted cheeses, chocolates, tropical fruits and award‑winning spirits.
A lakeside lunch and a private rainforest finish
The day pauses for a relaxed lakeside lunch at Lake Barrine Teahouse, and ends at a private 160‑acre rainforest property where guests sip Queensland wines and craft beers amid a peaceful outback retreat.
What the day feels like
What the day feels like
You move steadily through the Tablelands: a beachfront breakfast to set the pace, short transfers between boutique producers, relaxed tastings at a dairy, ice‑creamery and distillery, and a languid lakeside lunch before closing with drinks in a private rainforest enclave. The emphasis is on curated, hands‑on tasting and meeting local producers rather than long walks or strenuous activity.
THE REGION
The Atherton Tablelands: a tropical food bowl
The tour threads through volcanic farmland and World Heritage rainforest on the Atherton Tablelands, a fertile region known for its diverse tropical produce — from citrus and mango to macadamias and coffee — and the small producers who distil and transform it.
THE TASTES
Cheese, chocolate and spirits
Stops include a working dairy and cheese factory, a family ice‑creamery and North Queensland’s first distillery — an itinerary built around tasting handcrafted cheeses, chocolates, tropical fruits and award‑winning spirits.
THE SETTING
A lakeside lunch and a private rainforest finish
The day pauses for a relaxed lakeside lunch at Lake Barrine Teahouse, and ends at a private 160‑acre rainforest property where guests sip Queensland wines and craft beers amid a peaceful outback retreat.
Suitability
Who it's for
Who this is right for — and who should look elsewhere.
Practical planner
Details to review before reserving
Comfortable shoes for short walks, a hat, sunscreen, a camera and a water bottle are recommended for the day.
Light, comfortable clothing and supportable footwear will make visiting farms, teahouses and distilleries more comfortable; bring a refillable water bottle to stay hydrated.
Review cancellation policies before reserving.
Frequently asked questions
Planning Your Outing
Do I need to book in advance?
No, you do not strictly need to book in advance, but booking is highly recommended because tours have limited availability and can fill quickly.
What is included in the tour?
All tastings, a gourmet lunch and return transfers are included; tastings include cheeses, chocolates, tropical wines, spirits and fresh local produce.
Do I need to be 18 or over to join?
Yes. This is an adults‑only tour; alcohol tastings are available only to guests 18 and over, though older teenagers may be considered on a case‑by‑case basis.
Can you cater for dietary requirements?
Yes — vegetarian and gluten‑free diets can be accommodated; the operator does not cater for vegan or halal diets. Please advise at the time of booking.
How long does the tour last?
The tour runs for approximately 7 hours, including stops and transfers.
Can I buy products at the venues?
Yes. Many venues offer cheeses, wines, spirits and other gourmet treats for purchase, and some offer shipping options.
Where do you pick up from?
Pickups are offered from Port Douglas and selected areas; check at the time of booking to confirm whether your accommodation is included.
Is swimming included on the tour?
No. The tour does not include swimming; guests looking to cool off should use their resort pool or book a separate snorkelling reef trip.