Chillagoe Caves and Outback Day Trip from Cairns
Overview
Available languages
11 hours 30 minutes
Mobile ticket
The only Outback Full-Day Tour! Explore the Chillagoe Caves, Granite Gorge and other gems of the Australian Outback on this full-day tour.
With a naturalist guide, you'll travel by 4WD vehicle through the McAllister Ranges, the Great Dividing Range and the Australian Outback while listening to informative commentary about the region’s wildlife, history and Aboriginal culture. Take a guided tour through the Chillagoe-Mungana Caves National Park with a local ranger, drive near the wetlands to spot Australian native wildlife, see historic mining towns, and enjoy morning tea at the local Skybury Coffee Plantation and lunch at a classic Chillagoe Pub during this small-group tour limited to 19 passengers.
Additional Info
Specialized infant seats are available
Not recommended for travelers with spinal injuries
Not recommended for travelers with poor cardiovascular health
Travelers should have at least a moderate level of physical fitness
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)
What To Expect
Cairns
Pick up by your driver guide from the Cairns area. (Port Douglas and Northern Beaches transfers are available but for an additional cost, please book with reservations before travel and Southside accommodation - please make your way to the tour operator's office to join tour.)
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.
Options
Standard Ticket
Chillagoe Caves and Outback Day Trip from Cairns Pickup included
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 wtih 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
Port Douglas & Northern Beaches transfers additional cost (book with reservations before travel)
Southside accommodation - please make your way to the tour operator's office to join tour.
Pickup points
Select a pickup point
Cancellation Policy
For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
Reviews
224 reviews
Total reviews and rating from Viator & Tripadvisor
A Long Way to Go!
P9486YYpeterr,Jul 4, 2026
- Review from Tripadvisor
3.00The day was well organised and the truck was comfortable but the sites we visited were ok but not great. A long way to go to visit. If you are in the area, by all means have a look at the Balancing Rock, Chillagoe caves and the Granite Gorge Nature Reserve, I am just not sure that it is wirth the lobg trip from Cairns!
Wallabies were great, be...
Karenna B,Jun 22, 2026
- Review from Viator
4.00Wallabies were great, be prepared for a lot of driving and sitting though. Appreciate the door to door service
Highly recommended!
Dave R,Jun 21, 2026
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00A great day out with as many experiences as they can realistically fit in. Our driver Rohan was extremely knowledgeable and provided great commentary throughout the day. We are Aussie and enjoyed every aspect. Overseas visitors would not be disappointed. A great way to see a different part of Australia - just a bit farther out of Cairns and the more common rainforest tours. The caves at Chilligoe are well worth visiting. The trip was as described, communication from the office was excellent. It is a long day but Rohan never made us feel rushed nor did we miss anything from the published itinerary. Well done to everyone at Billy Tea Safaris !
Chillagoe
PatriciaL P,Jun 21, 2026
- Review from Viator
5.00AJ was very knowledgeable! We appreciated his ability to answer any question. We enjoyed seeing this area.
Trip worth doing
Julie C,Jun 18, 2026
- Review from Viator
5.00Rowan was a great host, very knowledgeable would highly recommend the tour, was well worth the moneytri
Absolutely an amazing...
Julie B,Jun 8, 2026
- Review from Viator
5.00Absolutely an amazing tour. The driver. Mark, was interesting, informative, and had a good sense of humor. The rock wallabies were the highlight of the day. Highly recommend!
Chillagoe trip
Pam J,Jun 3, 2026
- Review from Viator
5.00This tour was excellent. Rohan, our guide, provided us with lots of information about our destinations and what would happen at each stop. He also knew when to be quiet so we could nap on our way back from Chillagoe to Mereba. The itinerary was well planned. We had a long drive to Chillagoe but stopped for morning tea. We went to the caves and then had lunch. Activities were planned near Chillagoe. We visited the smelter ruins, balancing rock and Aboriginal Rock Art. All these involved short walks. We then travelled back to Cairns, stopping at Granite Gorge. This broke the journey and was a wonderful place to hand feed rock wallabies. The morning tea and lunch were both excellent. Skyberry Cafe was really nice and lunch was served in a typical outback pub at Chillagoe. I was very happy with the guide, the tour itself and the places we visited.
Outback/Caves
catherine W,May 23, 2026
- Review from Viator
4.00It's a fair time spent on bus, but worth it for the scenery, stunning contrast, red earth, falling rocks, caves and wallabies
The real Australia
Paul v,May 2, 2026
- Review from Viator
5.00It would be wrong to visit Australia without seeing the outback. Snakes, wallabys, kangeroos, Achidna, and rock wallabys all in one day. The real Australia.
Good to see but a lot of driving
T123194,Apr 24, 2026
- Review from Tripadvisor
4.00The caves were amazing to see and very interesting. We had a great stop on the way home where we could hold animals and feed wallabies which I loved. Be aware that the day involves a lot of driving (think it was around 3 hours there and back). There's not really any commentary or engagement during the drive.
Related Experiences
Operated by Billy Tea Safaris