Queensland · Attraction
Curtain Fig Tree
Ancient rainforest giant
schedule 1 min read / Updated Jun 2026
One of the most remarkable trees in Australia, the Curtain Fig Tree near Yungaburra is an enormous strangler fig estimated to be over 500 years old. Its cascading curtain of aerial roots drops more than 15 metres to the forest floor, creating a scene that stops visitors in their tracks. A short, wheelchair-friendly boardwalk leads from the car park directly to a viewing platform at the base of the tree.
The Curtain Fig Tree stands within Curtain Fig National Park, a small but significant pocket of World Heritage-listed wet tropical rainforest just two kilometres west of Yungaburra. The tree began life as an epiphyte on a host tree that eventually toppled sideways, causing the fig's aerial roots to cascade vertically and create the distinctive curtain formation that gives it its name.
Visiting is straightforward and completely free. A sealed car park sits right alongside the road, and the boardwalk to the tree takes only a few minutes to walk. The surrounding forest is alive with bird calls and the rustle of wildlife, making it a rewarding stop even for visitors who linger for just half an hour.
The Curtain Fig Tree is listed on the Queensland Heritage Register and is one of the most photographed natural landmarks on the Atherton Tablelands. Early morning visits offer the best light for photography and a better chance of spotting the resident platypus in nearby Peterson Creek.
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Scenic views
