Chillagoe Caves and Outback Day Trip: Explore Australia's Natural and Historic Gems from Cairns
4.8
134 Ratings
Cairns
Embark on a full-day adventure from Cairns to explore the Chillagoe Caves, Granite Gorge, and other natural and historic gems of the Australian Outback. Discover the region's wildlife, history, and Aboriginal culture while enjoying morning tea at a local coffee plantation and lunch at a 100-year-old pub. Limited to 14 people for a personalized experience.
Duration:
11 hours, 30 minutes
Cancellation:
1 day
learn more
Highlights
- Billy Tea Safaris - pick up from the Cairns area
-
Skybury Cafe & Roastery - The heart of one of Australia’s most diverse and richest food
bowls Skybury Tropical Plantation has grown the country’s best coffee and tropical fruit for the past 30 years. Enjoy morning tea, with coffee, tea and sweet treats. - Chillagoe-Mungana Caves National Park - Explore the Chillagoe Caves. Follow your guide through the fossilized remains of the ancient coral reefs over 400 million years old. Once an inland sea, these limestone labyrinths are a spectacular sight to see.
- Chillagoe Smelters - Here we delve into the history of the Chillagoe copper smelters, whose old chimneys dominate the western horizon. We visit the remains of the once-mighty smelters to ponder what it was like working there.
- Balancing Rock - Visit Balancing Rock for an iconic photo opportunity. Then, see Aboriginal Rock Art and learn about some Dreamtime stories with your guide.
-
Post Office Hotel - Enjoy lunch at a true Australian Outback Pub built back at the turn of the century! Burgers, Fish & Chips and Vegetarian meals are available and refreshments at own cost. Mingle with the locals and
leave a handwritten message on the wall of this classic 100-Year-Old Aussie Pub. - Granite Gorge Nature Park - A privately owned nature park near Mareeba with stunning scenery as you walk along the short circuit navigating massive boulders. Striking scenery and wildlife galore.
The big drawcard at Granite Gorge is the rock wallabies. This colony is an endangered species that is unique to the Mareeba area. Plus, you’ll see other native wildlife.
What's Included
- Granite Gorge National Park and see Wallabies
- Hotel pickup and drop-off (Cairns and Northern Beaches area only)
- Morning Tea at Skybury Cafe and Roastery
- Transport by air-conditioned vehicle
- Chillagoe-Mungana Caves National Park Tour
- Visit Balancing Rock and see Aboriginal Rock Art
- Lunch at a 100-year-old Aussie pub
- Chillagoe Smelter Ruins
- Local driver guide
What's Not Included
- Port Douglas & Northern Beaches transfers additional cost (contact reservations)
Additional Information
Embark on an exclusive full-day journey into Australia’s Outback from Cairns and Port Douglas! Discover Chillagoe Caves, Granite Gorge, and more treasures of the Outback, guided by a professional naturalist. Ride through the McAllister Ranges, the Great Dividing Range, and the vast stretches of the Australian Outback in a 4WD, while enriching your knowledge about the area’s fauna, historical chronicles, and Aboriginal traditions. Visit the Chillagoe-Mungana Caves National Park, take a drive beside the wetlands to observe Australia’s indigenous wildlife, and explore historical mining towns. Relish morning tea at Skybury Coffee Plantation and enjoy lunch at a Chillagoe Pub that’s over a century old, as part of this small-group tour capped at 14 participants.
- Please advise any specific dietary requirements at time of booking
- Please wear closed-toe shoe and bring a light jacket or sweater
- A reasonable level of fitness is required, as there are steps and uneven terrain leading into the caves
Location
Billy Tea Safaris
Cancellation Policy
For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
Customer Ratings
4.8
(134 Ratings)
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Marlena
Apr 6, 2024
highly recommend outback tour - I did the Chillagoe Caves and Outback tour and I literally had the best day of my life! The tour was well organized with delicious brekkie and lunch. The tour guide explained everything and was really enthusiastic and could answer every question. I personally loved seeing the outback and desert as well as the caves, feeding and petting wallabies, and seeing real kangaroos! It was definitely worth every dollar. I can highly recommend this tour!
Review provided by Tripadvisor
R5019wbreginac
Apr 1, 2024
A fun day out of Cairns seeing lots of diverse sites - We had a really fun day with Billy Tea Safaris on the Chillagoe Caves and Outback tour. Our guide (Gavin) was great. We made several interesting stops during the day which really added to the enjoyment. Gavin shared lots of fun information along the way and made sure everyone was comfortable and enjoying themselves. He even went out of his way to make sure we saw a "mob" of kangaroo up close. This tour is a full day out of Cairns and well worth it. Highly recommend it and this company.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
R110ifdeanj
Mar 13, 2024
Must do experience - Awesome day out to Chillagoe. Gav was extremely knowledgeable and made the experience of traveling out so much more interesting. Caves were awesome and granite Gorge was a great experience with the little rock wallabies.
Definitely worth doing and thanks Billy tea safaris for an unforgettable day
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Pmurphy67
Mar 13, 2024
Great guided day to the Outback - We booked the Outback trip late in our trip planning and solely based on the great reviews as a fun, and away from the water excursion. Billy Tea did not disappoint. We had a great time, our guide was knowledgeable and funny, the stops were informal and fun, we saw and learned a lot. This is a great way to experience the other side (inside) of NE Australia when visiting the costal towns and reef
Review provided by Tripadvisor
X2275jvrebeccas
Mar 8, 2024
Chillacoe Cave and nore - We had a fabulous time! Great opportunity to see kangaroos and wallabys and much more. The cave and balancing rock were fun, coffee plantation great as well. Gavin, our guide is very knowledgeable and we learned a lot about Australia from him!
Review provided by Tripadvisor
83lissets
Mar 8, 2024
Friendly, Interesting, & Furry wildlife - Gav is very friendly & makes the tour extra great. Gav is considerate, outgoing, takes his time, & is very knowledgeable. The female cave guide also was awesome. Mahalo!
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Darrel_g
Feb 21, 2024
Great trip highly recommended - Excellent trip it was well organised and informative . The guide was great . The cave experience was amazing. Great morning tea and lunch . A long day but was well worth it. Great value for money. Would have like to spend more time in the cave as it seemed a bit rushed.
Review provided by Viator
Ron
Feb 17, 2024
Great outback adventure - We had a excellent day with Gavin, he is passionate, very knowledgeable and great storyteller. We were not disappointed, seen lots of wildlife, great lunch, met some locals and informative cave tour.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Rose_m
Feb 29, 2024
Relaxed and informative day trip - Very well organized. Guide Rowan was top notch and very knowledgeable. The caves were beautiful and lived feeding the rock wallabies. Liked that it was a small group. Only negative part was felt the slogan “outback” was misleading
Review provided by Viator
Ella_b
Feb 18, 2024
Rock wallabies were awesome! - Really great day! Our tour guide Gav was excellent making sure we got to see as much as possible and had lots of knowledge on the local area. Meeting the rock wallabies was the highlight! They jumped into our laps and were super friendly -really cool experience! Got to hold a snake, skink and parrot too!
Review provided by Viator
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