Ravenshoe is the highest town in Queensland and home to the highest pub in Queensland. It is located on the Tablelands, the Cairns hinterlands, at 920m, it’s cooler, lusher, and greener than the coastal strip. It’s a nice rural town to visit, and we think you should add it to your itinerary, particularly if you can be there for the Ravenshoe Jacaranda Festival, held in October.
The old Ravenshoe train station. It’s really quaint and the gardens are lovely.
Ravenshoe
Ravenshoe in spring, the jacarandas coming into flower.
In this post we’ll share some of our photos from Ravenshoe, and tell you what there is to do in Ravenshoe, the best time to visit, and how to get there.
Ravenshoe Elevation and Climate
The Ravenshoe Hotel sits at an elevation of 916m above sea level; the town is “officially” at 920 m elevation. Significantly higher than most Great Dividing Range towns on the Tablelands, and this makes the climate much cooler.
Because of this, you can visit year-round without the crazy temperatures on the coast. The best time to visit is the dry season, broadly May to October, the late autumn, winter and spring months.
That said, to see the waterfalls at their best, you’ll need to visit in the wet season, summer.
Ravenshoe Jacaranda Festival
The Ravenshoe Torimba Festival is a local event over several days. The word “Torimba” is a splice of Tourism and Timber.
It is held in October when the jacaranda trees are in flower. Find out more at the official website.
In 2025 I’ve read that the main festival is on October 18th and we plan to go.
Where Is Ravenshoe?
We made a map showing Ravenshoe’s location in Queensland Australia. Interestingly, there is also a Ravenshoe in Ontario, Canada.
Ravenshoe is in The Misty Mountains, an elevated are of Queensland with lush rainforests, waterfalls and walking trails.
The Ravenshoe Pub
The Ravenshoe Hotel, the highest pub in Queensland, established 1927.
We haven’t eaten at The Ravenshoe Hotel ourselves, so we can’t tell you if it’s any good, but they have good reviews. We love old country pubs, and this one is kept as it was back in the day. I have been unable to find the real Ravenshoe Hotel menu online, it looks like they don’t have a website. I’m still working on it!
I’m fairly certain that this hotel has accommodation, but again, nothing I can find online. The best way to contact them for booking enquiries is through their Facebook page, you should be able to find a phone number there.
Ravenshoe Train Station
Ravenshoe’s beautiful old railway station. AKA Ravenshoe Steam Rail and part of Ravenshoe Heritage Steam Railway.
The Tablelands Railway Line opened in sections through from the late 1800s to early 1900. At its full extent, it stretched from Cairns to Ravenshoe. The Kuranda Scenic Railway and Savannahlander were both parts of this line.
The Atherton to Ravenshoe section closed in 1988. But Ravenshoe still has its own steam engine, The Capella, in 2025 she turns 100 years old. This steam train may still run a 1 hour tourist ride today, its very hard to find information, but I’m trying to find out more.
I know that she will be running under her own steam in October as part of the Tourimba Festival. The scedule is here.
Things To Do in Ravenshoe
We enjoyed shopping at The Barn in Ravenshoe.
In Ravenshoe town itself, you can visit the station, check out the old trains and vehicles, and of course, see the highest pub in QLD. Also explore The Ravenshoe Visitor Centre, Nganyaji Interpretive Centre, & Heritage Gallery. This centre features Ravenshoe’s timber, railway, and wartime heritage. Thousands of troops were stationed in the area during World War II for training.
Near Ravenshoe, consider visiting some of the following. The links will take you to sites with more information for visitors.
Millstream Falls National Park, home to the widest single drop waterfall in Australia (allegedly) and Little Millstream Falls
Herberton & Herberton Historic Village. North of Ravenshoe, on the 52, on the way to Atherton, about a 30-minute drive. This link will take you to our post on visiting Herberton, with lots of photos.
Most of the “things to do” on the Atherton Tablelands are accessible from Ravenshoe. Cairns is also not too far away, for you trips to The Great Barrier Reef.
How To Get To Ravenshoe, How Far, Drive Times
Ravenshoe to Port Douglas
The drive time from Ravenshoe to Port Douglas should be about 2 hours. Stay on the Tablelands and head north, passing through Atherton, Mareeba (a hidden gem not to miss), and Julatten (guide). You could head down to the coast and take the coastal road, The Captain Cook Highway. The views of the Coral Sea are superb, but it will take you longer, not least because of the road repairs.
Cairns to Ravenshoe
Expect the drive from Cairns to Ravenshoe to take about 2 hours. First, head south of Cairns City to Gordonvale, take Route 52, The Gillies Range Rd, and then 25 and 24. You could take the Range Road up from Smithfield, north of Cairns, but this route may take slightly longer.
Ravenshoe to Yungaburra
Yungaburra is quite close to Ravenshoe, only 60 km away, and it’s another cute heritage town. Yungaburra is only about 45 mins away, on Route 1, The Kennedy Highway.
Ravenshoe To Cooktown
It would be really ambitious to drive to Cooktown from Ravenshoe, but if you plan to, stay on the Talelands and take the inland route (not the coastal route). Head north through Mareeba, Atherton, and MT Molloy, then stay on this road, don’t take the left to Julatten, Mossman, and Port Douglas. Drive time, about 4 hours. We have a post about visiting Cooktown, what is there to see and do, and it also covers these two ways to get to Cooktown. The distance is roughly 350 km.
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