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Chillagoe Caves and Outback Day Trip: Explore Australia's Natural and Historic Gems from Cairns
4.8
197 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.
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:
24 hours
Highlights
- Cairns - Your driver guide will pick you up from the Cairns area. Transfers from Port Douglas and Northern Beaches are available at an additional cost; please book with reservations before traveling.
- Skybury Cafe & Roastery - Located in the heart of one of Australia’s most diverse and rich food bowls, Skybury Tropical Plantation has been…
- Cairns - Your driver guide will pick you up from the Cairns area. Transfers from Port Douglas and Northern Beaches are available at an additional cost; please book with reservations before traveling.
- Skybury Cafe & Roastery - Located in the heart of one of Australia’s most diverse and rich food bowls, Skybury Tropical Plantation has been producing the country’s finest coffee and tropical fruit for the past 30 years. Enjoy morning tea with coffee, tea, and sweet treats.
- Chillagoe-Mungana Caves National Park - Discover the Chillagoe Caves. Follow your guide through the fossilized remains of ancient coral reefs that are over 400 million years old. These limestone labyrinths, once part of an inland sea, are a spectacular sight.
- Chillagoe Smelters - Explore the history of the Chillagoe copper smelters, whose old chimneys dominate the western horizon. Visit the remains of the once-mighty smelters and imagine what it was like to work there.
- Balancing Rock - Visit Balancing Rock for an iconic photo opportunity. Then, see Aboriginal Rock Art and learn about some Dreamtime stories from your guide.
- Chillagoe Cockatoo Hotel Motel - Enjoy lunch at a true Australian Outback Pub in the heart of Chillagoe town. Please advise of any special dietary requirements before traveling.
- Granite Gorge Nature Park - This privately owned nature park near Mareeba offers stunning scenery as you walk along the short circuit navigating massive boulders. The striking scenery and abundant wildlife are a treat.
The main attraction at Granite Gorge is the rock wallabies, an endangered species unique to the Mareeba area. Additionally, you’ll encounter other native wildlife.
What's Included
- Chillagoe-Mungana Caves National Park Guided Tour with a local ranger
- Granite Gorge National Park and see local rock wallabies
- Return transfers with local driver guide and live commentary
- Morning Tea at Skybury Cafe and Roastery with tea, coffee and sweet treats
- Visit the Chillagoe Smelter Ruins
- Visit Balancing Rock and see Aboriginal Rock Art
- Lunch at a classic Aussie pub in Chillagoe
- Chillagoe-Mungana Caves National Park Guided Tour with a local ranger
- Granite Gorge National Park and see local rock wallabies
- Return transfers with local driver guide and live commentary
- Morning Tea at Skybury Cafe and Roastery with tea, coffee and sweet treats
- Visit the Chillagoe Smelter Ruins
- Visit Balancing Rock and see Aboriginal Rock Art
- Lunch at a classic Aussie pub in Chillagoe
What's Not Included
- Port Douglas & Northern Beaches transfers additional cost (book with reservations before travel)
- Port Douglas & Northern Beaches transfers additional cost (book with reservations before travel)
Additional Information
Experience the ultimate Outback Full-Day Tour! Discover the Chillagoe Caves, Granite Gorge, and other treasures of the Australian Outback on this comprehensive day trip.
Accompanied by a naturalist guide, journey in a 4WD vehicle through the McAllister Ranges, the Great Dividing Range, and the Australian Outback, all while enjoying insightful commentary…
Experience the ultimate Outback Full-Day Tour! Discover the Chillagoe Caves, Granite Gorge, and other treasures of the Australian Outback on this comprehensive day trip.
Accompanied by a naturalist guide, journey in a 4WD vehicle through the McAllister Ranges, the Great Dividing Range, and the Australian Outback, all while enjoying insightful commentary about the area’s wildlife, history, and Aboriginal culture. Join a local ranger for a guided tour of the Chillagoe-Mungana Caves National Park, drive near wetlands to observe native Australian wildlife, explore historic mining towns, and savor morning tea at the Skybury Coffee Plantation and lunch at a traditional Chillagoe Pub. This small-group tour is limited to 19 passengers for a more personalized experience.
- Please advise any specific dietary requirements at time of booking
- Please wear closed-toe shoe and bring a light jacket or sweater in the cooler months (June - August)
- A reasonable level of fitness is required, as there are steps and uneven terrain leading into the caves
- Port Douglas & Northern Beaches transfers additional cost (once booked, please book with reservations before travel)
Location
Cairns
Cancellation Policy
For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
Customer Ratings
4.8
(197 Ratings)
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Mary
Oct 7, 2025
Outstanding tour - Rowan was absolutely wonderful! This tour went into the Outback with stops at Chillagoe Caves and an old mining site. His enthusiasm and love of what he was doing and showing us made this a top notch tour. He made this tour a delight and I wish I could book all my tours with him. Definitely worth it.
The caves were amazing and the rock wallabies were so cute!
Review provided by Tripadvisor
R479rrhayleyp
Oct 2, 2025
Great way to see another side of Cairns - We had such an awesome day out with Billy Tea Safaris! The whole tour was really well put together and ran super smoothly. The 4WD was comfy and air-conditioned, which made the long drives really easy.
Our guide Rohan was amazing, so friendly and full of knowledge about the history, wildlife and Aboriginal culture. He kept the day interesting and fun, and even gave us some great tips for Cairns that were absolutely spot on!
The highlights for us were definitely exploring the Chillagoe Caves, seeing ans feeding the adorable rock wallabies at Granite Gorge.
This tour is such a unique way to see the diversity of Far North Queensland, it really does pack a lot into one day without feeling rushed. Highly recommend to anyone wanting to experience both the natural beauty and rich culture of the outback from Cairns.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Aaron_g
Sep 26, 2025
The trip was really well... - The trip was really well planned. Lots of driving but broken up with good stops along the way. Good to see something different from the rest of the Cairns experiences.
Review provided by Viator
Sarah_a
Sep 10, 2025
Quite a lot of distance... - Quite a lot of distance travelled on this tour but there are plenty of breaks. The caves were huge and you had a pleasant drop in temperature. Enjoyed lunch just a burger but a nice one. AJ our guide was very entertaining and informative. Overall a good day.
Review provided by Viator
K9995ndmarkb
Sep 5, 2025
What a great day out! - Pick up was on time AJ the driver/guide was a great guy and very knowledgible and interesting on all things during the trip. The 1st stop for coffee and scones was excellent and in a very nice setting. The caves were amazing Mick the local guide was excellent and knew his stuff. We then went to balancing rock and aboriginal wall art short walk here no drama . we then stopped for a pub lunch no complaints here either. We also stopped at an old pub for refreshments and then onto the granite gorge to feed the wallaby all enjoyed this event., the truck was comfotable with great air con .All in all a great day out, thanks to AJ for making it so good!
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Steven_t
Jul 31, 2025
This is a long day trip... - This is a long day trip but worth it. Our guide Rowan was extremely knowledgeable about all aspects of the trip, explaining the transition from tropical coast through mountain rainforest to outback territory. The trip starts well with tea and scones at Skybury. Chillagoe Caves are excellent even though there is only time to see a fraction of them. The ex mine and smelter works are very interesting though it is a shame such a scar has been left on the beautiful outback landscape. Balancing rock is amazing then to finish the lovely rock wallabies at Granite Gorge. A very interesting trip.
Review provided by Viator
Anna_b
Jul 30, 2025
Interesting day out, away from crowds - Great tour with Rowan into the unknown. Real Australia, far from the popular tourist spots l. Chillagoe Caves tour with ranger Ash was amazing. Coffee plantation and breakfast just right. Lunch at a proper Ausdie outback pub was spot on. Afternoon walks to old copper smelting works, interesting rock formations and to feed Rock Wallabies all lovely. Really diverse. Vehicle much comfier than expected. Really enjoyed all of it. If you want something different, fo this tour.
Review provided by Viator
Christinala772im
Jul 17, 2025
A time to relax, breathe and enjoy. - Rowan was an excellent tour guide. He delivered interesting and informative information which was excellent. He took great care of everyone. I loved the quiet of this tour- time to think and relax without the hustle and bustle of a lot of tourists. The caves were well worth seeing as were the Atherton Tablelands - different terrain. Excellent tour.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Urbananomads
Jul 12, 2025
Experience the Outback! - We definitely felt like we experienced the Outback! There was a nice mix of activities with the caves (we saw bats, toads, and spiders), rock art and hikes, and authentic Aussie pub. Or favorite was the stop to visit with the rock wallabies!
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Dan1969lim
Sep 18, 2025
An enjoyable day tour. - While the overall trip was interesting, and the weather good, I felt that a little time could be spent at the smelting plant. The ruins looked interesting, and even a 15-min chance to explore the place will be good. Besides this, the visit to the caves, balancing rock was quite interesting. The rock wallabies at the end was a nice stop. It was enjoyable, and our guide, Daniel, was great with his commentary.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
