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Outback and Chillagoe Caves Tour

from A$239
11 hours 25 mins
Chillagoe
4+

Discover Chillagoe Caves and Tropical North Queensland on a guided full-day outback tour from Cairns. Travel by air-conditioned 4WD, visit Skybury Coffee Plantation in Mareeba, explore Chillagoe-Mungaga Caves, see Aboriginal rock art, historic mining towns, Balancing Rock, Chillagoe Smelter Ruins, and meet wallabies at Granite Gorge. Includes lunch at an Outback pub.

Adult $239 | Child (4-16) $179 | Family (2 adults & 2 children) $750

Key Highlights

  • Journey through the McAllister Ranges spotting native bush birds and wildlife
  • Morning tea at Skybury Coffee Plantation in Mareeba
  • Guided exploration of Chillagoe-Mungaga Caves National Park
  • Visit to historic mining towns and Chillagoe Smelter Ruins
  • See Balancing Rock and Aboriginal rock art sites
  • Encounter wallabies at Granite Gorge
  • Enjoy lunch at an authentic Aussie Outback pub

What’s included

  • Accredited guide
  • Travel in custom-built air-conditioned 4WD vehicle
  • Morning tea at Skybury Coffee Plantation
  • Guided Chillagoe-Mungaga Caves tour
  • Visit to Granite Gorge
  • Lunch at an Outback pub

Overview

Experience a full-day outback adventure from Cairns, exploring the Chillagoe Caves and remarkable destinations across Tropical North Queensland. You will travel in a custom-built air-conditioned 4WD vehicle, guided by a friendly, accredited local expert.

Your journey begins with a scenic drive up the McAllister Ranges, where you can spot bush birds such as emus, wedge-tail eagles, squatter pigeons, kangaroos, and frilled neck lizards. Stop for a morning tea break at the renowned Skybury Coffee Plantation in Mareeba.

Continue towards Chillagoe, listening to informative commentary about the region's rich wildlife, history and Aboriginal culture. Explore the Chillagoe-Mungaga Caves National Park with a local guide, visit historic mining towns and small outback communities, and see the impressive Chillagoe Smelter Ruins and Balancing Rock for memorable photo opportunities.

Learn about Aboriginal rock art before visiting Granite Gorge, where you can observe wallabies in their natural habitat. A hearty lunch at an Aussie Outback pub completes your authentic outback experience.

Commonly asked questions.

The tour includes Cairns accommodation transfers, travel in a small-group 4WD, morning tea at Skybury Coffee Plantation, a guided Chillagoe Caves tour, Aboriginal rock art sites, the historic Chillagoe Smelter Ruins, Balancing Rock, an Aussie pub lunch and a visit to Granite Gorge.
The tour operates in small groups, with vehicles carrying approximately 16–20 passengers.
The cave experience is a guided tour through ancient limestone formations, chambers and underground passages. The cave tour takes approximately one hour and includes stairs and uneven ground.
A reasonable level of fitness is recommended. The cave tour involves stairs, uneven surfaces and some walking, and visitors need to be comfortable moving through the cave system.
There are several confined sections within the caves. Guests who are uncomfortable in enclosed spaces should discuss this with the guide before entering.
The tour visits culturally significant Aboriginal rock art sites and includes information about the area's Indigenous history and Dreamtime stories.
The historic smelter ruins are remnants of Chillagoe's former mining industry and provide an insight into the important role copper and other minerals played in the development of the region.
Yes. An authentic Australian pub lunch at the Chillagoe Hotel is included in the tour.
There are opportunities to see native wildlife including wallabies, kangaroos, emus, wedge-tailed eagles and other Australian birdlife. Wildlife sightings are not guaranteed.
Bring comfortable walking shoes, a hat, sunscreen, a refillable water bottle and a camera. A light jacket is recommended during cooler months. Closed-in shoes are compulsory for the cave tour.
Yes. Children aged 4–16 years are welcome. Children need to be able to walk through the caves, as prams and strollers are not permitted inside.

Additional info by the operator.

  • 7:00am - Pickup from Cairns accommodation
  • 8:30am - Atherton Tablelands & Skybury Coffee Plantation
  • 10:30am - Travel through the Outback towards Chillagoe
  • 12:00pm - Chillagoe Caves guided tour
  • 1:30pm - Lunch at a historic Chillagoe pub
  • 2:30pm - Aboriginal rock art & historic mining sites
  • 3:30pm - Chillagoe Smelter Ruins & Balancing Rock
  • 4:30pm - Granite Gorge & wallaby spotting
  • 7:00pm - Return to Cairns