Recently Viewed
Chillagoe Caves and Outback Day Trip: Explore Australia's Natural and Historic Gems from Cairns
4.8
155 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:
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 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
What's Not Included
- 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 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.
Customer Ratings
4.8
(155 Ratings)
5 stars
4 stars
3 stars
2 stars
1 star
Johansvlaiman
Jul 30, 2024
Best tour ever - The tour was fantastic, we get to see some cool caves and rock wallabies. The tour guide was very informative and fun. We got to know a lot of stuffs and had amazing lunch as well in an outback pub which was very lovely.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Absolutelyfabulous31
Jul 26, 2024
The Best Day Out - We did the one day Chillagoe Tour with pick up from Palm Cove. The transfer from Palm Cove, the driver was excellent in every sense of the word, which was a great way to start this tour. We meet the group and our Tour Leader, Gavin, was fantastic. He had a bucket load of stories to share with us all - we were a very multi cultural group. Gavin's passion for the environment was highlighted when he noticed an injured python on the highway. He stopped and moved it off the highway into the grasses - what a thrill it was to see our very own "Crocodile Dundee" in action. The tour did not disappoint and very well worth the cost. The Cave Tour Leader was so knowledgeable and the Cave itself was fascinating. The included lunch at the outback pub was really good. Our only disappointment was our return driver (booked by Billy Tea) to Palm Cove. Felt like I was just in a taxi and the service we got at the beginning from the same company was certainly not given at the end.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Blertak353
Jul 19, 2024
Fun, knowledge and beautiful scenery - The tour with Rowen as guide was an impressive, varied and extremely interesting experience. Rowen not only made the tour knowledgeable, but also showed the gift of responding to our needs and breaking the ice quickly. The atmosphere was relaxed and pleasant throughout, with Rowen having an insightful answer to every question and always loosening the mood with humor.
This tour left lasting impressions that I will never forget. Rowen always explained the next steps clearly and kept the route transparent, so we always knew what was coming next. As a solo traveler I quickly felt immersed in the world of Chillagoe and the Australian bushland. It was not only a lot of fun, but also an opportunity to gain in-depth knowledge of the village and enjoy it at the same time.
A really great experience I can only recommend to anyone!
In addition: I was able to participate in the tour despite an older injury to my foot and the route was pleasant to run. Non-slip shoes are important (good sole & not flat).
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Nicole_v
Jul 3, 2024
Chillagoe Caves and Outback Day Trip was fantastic - We really enjoyed this tour, mainly because our tour guide, Gavin (Gavan?), was fantastic. He had a commentary for most of the ride, which I like. I enjoy hearing all the information he had to share. His knowledge of the animals in the outback was fantastic.
He held the snake while we were at the campground stop, which allowed those that wanted to touch the snake to do so. Since he had the same snake as a pet (python carpet snake, I think), he was extremely knowledgeable and comfortable with / about these snakes (maybe all snakes!).
He knew where to stop to see the kangaroos, wallabies, and several birds. We even saw some birds that he said he doesn't see all the time.
It was clear he respects all cultures, and particularly the Aboriginal Australians, as he mentioned several people that he talks to (and talked to, as some have now passed) at various stops, where he learned their culture and ways of the world.
Gavin was able to explain some of the Aboriginal art that was drawn on the rocks (near the Balancing Rock), in part, because of his friendship he had with an Aboriginal Australian. Same with explaining the Rainbow Serpant, and how some birds signify family members. It was all very fascinating. We saw some English lads who were on our tour with Gavin the next day on The Great Barrier Reef tour -- when we saw a rainbow, they also mentioned the Rainbow Serpant (referenced from Gavin's information).
The cave was also interesting. We saw spiders and bats (no snakes, although I'm sure they were there!). The different formations of the stalactites and stalagmites were very pretty and interesting. If you are afraid of any of these animals, don't go in the cave. It's one narrow path where all people are and you can't run about screaming about these animals (this cave is the animals homes--we are the intruders).
Gavin showed us Australian marble and it was beautiful.
Also, the scones were fantastic!!
The entire tour was wonderful!!
Review provided by Viator
Sophie_k
Jun 16, 2024
Great time with Gavin in the Outback! - Had a really great time on this tour. Although, I went by myself and the trip was really informative about the outback and Australia in general. Gavin did a fantastic job, had great energy and was able to share with us his personal stories, connections to the Aboriginal peoples, flora and fauna. He also took the time to play us some modern Australian music, providing a deeper understanding of modern Australia culture. They are all part of my Spotify playlist now! Had a great time and would really recommend to anyone spending some time in Cairns. It is a long day trip, but the sights were the most beautiful- and it did truly feel like something different and exciting to do in the area.
Review provided by Viator
Dawn_r
Jun 11, 2024
Diverse and Worth It - This was a great day! We made many stops to view and experience the diverse landscapes and culture. Starting the day at a coffee plantation was Beautiful and set the tone for the excitement and beauty ahead of us. Andy, our driver and guide, was fabulous and so in tune with his community. I’d love to take another tour with him. He’s patient and reliable.
Review provided by Viator
Khuan_j
Jun 8, 2024
Awesome outback experience - We started off with breakfast at Skybury cafe which was great. Then we went to explore a cave followed by lunch. Smelter was next then balancing rock and rock art. Lastly was granite gorge park to feed wallaby. They were so cute! We enjoyed this tour so much with our driver guide Ro. He’s easily one of the best around. He looks after everyone. Thank you.
Review provided by Viator
Les_e
May 31, 2024
Wicked Adventure - Gavin from Billy Tea Safaris was the guide to be with. Excellent commentary, humour and music play list. The caves are fantastic experience and the local topography interesting and diverse. A great tour across the ranges, tablelands into the arid outback.
Review provided by Viator
Christopher_w
Aug 8, 2024
Caves were Good, Bumps were Bad, Take a Cushion - The trip from Cairns to Chillagoe and back was memorable for the transport. The ride was one where we felt every bump in the road. The bus/truck we were in while having air conditioning may not have had springs to absorb the shock. The best part was travelling along a dirt road that had just been graded and was very smooth. The tour guide/driver was very informative along the way. The caves experience was excellent, the smelter visit was underwhelming visually but is a remnant of past history. Morning tea and lunch provided was very good. The stop at Granite Gorge was interesting with the rock wallabies and the caged parrots especially a nice surprise.
Review provided by Viator
Eva
Jun 1, 2024
A long day - It was a long day, we enjoyed the drive through the changeing spectacular landscape. Our driver Mark was a very competent driver, but we would have liked more information. This also applies to the cave tour. The morning tea at the coffee plantation's restaurant was excellent, a short tour of the plantation and opportunity for photos of the coffee bushes, and en route of avocado and mango trees would have rounded it up. However, the drive to the caves is a long distance, and we realise that you can't pack everything into the one day.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
