Quick Answers
How long has the Lake Barrine Tea House been open?
Since the early 1920s.
What can I have there?
Morning tea and lunch, overlooking the crater lake.
What else is there to do?
Boat cruises on the lake and walking tracks through the rainforest.
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“The Lake Barrine Tea House has been serving morning tea above a crater lake since the 1920s. Some traditions survive because they are simply, quietly, exactly right.”
Lake Barrine Tea House: A Heritage Experience Above the Crater Lake
The Lake Barrine Tea House is one of those rare places that have been doing essentially the same thing, in essentially the same way, for over a century — and have remained entirely worth visiting throughout. Established in the early 1920s as a teahouse for the growing number of visitors to the newly designated lake reserve, it sits on a slight rise above the shore of Lake Barrine, surrounded by ancient rainforest, with a verandah view that has changed very little since the building was first constructed.
The menu is traditional, unfussy, and very good — cream scones, Devonshire tea, cakes, sandwiches, and light lunches that suit the setting perfectly. There is nothing ironic or knowing about the experience: it is a genuine heritage tearoom in a genuinely beautiful location, and it delivers exactly what it promises. For families visiting with grandparents, for couples on a romantic morning drive, or for anyone who simply wants to sit somewhere lovely and eat something delicious, the Lake Barrine Tea House is an irreplaceable part of a Tablelands visit.
Peterson Creek
Granite Gorge
Atherton Tablelands Tours
Emerald Creek FallsThe Tea House is open most days from morning until mid-afternoon. It is also the departure point for the Lake Barrine boat cruises, which run throughout the day and offer a wonderful perspective on the lake and its surrounding rainforest. Combining a cruise with morning tea makes for one of the best two-hour experiences on the Tablelands.
A Hot Getaways destination. Where Care is Our Compass.
Travel Kindly
At Hot Getaways, care is our compass — and a little kindness makes every journey better. When you visit the Atherton Tablelands, we gently ask you to:
- Tread lightly — stay on tracks and lookouts, and take special care around waterfalls, which can be slippery and swift.
- Respect the wildlife — never feed the platypus, tree-kangaroos or birds, and observe them quietly from a distance.
- Support local — choosing local operators, cafés and guides helps this beautiful place thrive.
- Honour Country — we travel on the traditional lands and sea Country of Australia’s First Peoples, with gratitude and respect to the Traditional Custodians past and present.
- Be kind to each other — a smile, a little patience and a helping hand make the day lovelier for everyone.
Small acts of care add up to something wonderful. Thank you for travelling kindly.
