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)
Cancellation Policy
For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
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)
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.
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)
Pickup points
Select a pickup point
Options
Standard Ticket
Chillagoe Caves and Outback Day Trip from Cairns
Pickup included
Reviews
212 reviews
Total reviews and rating from Viator & Tripadvisor
good taste of the outback
Michael B,Mar 28, 2026
- Review from Viator
5.00Rowan was a terrific guide and provided lots of good info. He was an extremely careful and safe driver and an all round good guy. This is a great tour to get a feel for the outback if you are staying in Cairns. We actually decided to take this tour instead of driving out there ourselves because it looked like driving out to Chillagoe on narrow and sometimes gravel roads would be risky and also Billy Tea tours takes care of arranging the cave tour which is necessary to see the caves. The tour definitely got us more interested in life in the outback.
A long day, but is well worth the time!
astepforever,Mar 25, 2026
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00Loved our guide + driver Rowan! He has always kept us informed of whats going to happen when and managed our expectations. He is very knowledgeable and shared a lot of info in a fun way while he was driving. Also a very caring person. The tour itself is absoutely content rich - from caves to smelter site to rock wallabies - you have the outback of cairns packed in one day. A nice escape from the humid coastline and tourist packed city center.
Thank you!
Ashley S,Mar 20, 2026
- Review from Viator
5.00Absolutely fantastic experience! Every part of it was beautiful. The guide was incredible and knowledgeable. Would highly recommend to anyone!
Chillagoe
Allan W,Mar 11, 2026
- Review from Viator
5.00Worth the time, but it is a long day. All parts of the tour are excellent, tour guide & rangers are very knowledgeable
This is an amazing...
Caroline B,Feb 15, 2026
- Review from Viator
5.00This is an amazing experience! I had such a friendly and informative guide and the stops we made were fantastic.
Perfect tour if you want...
Stephanie B,Jan 14, 2026
- Review from Viator
5.00Perfect tour if you want to see the bush. Food at the Skybury Cafe was incredible and had a beautiful view. The park ranger at the cave was very knowledgeable and the rock wallabies were precious. We were lucky to go on an overcast day, but definitely bring water, sunscreen and a hat.
Worth it
sharon w,Dec 24, 2025
- Review from Viator
5.00It's a really long day but very interesting and informational. Fun stops and great guides! Gets you out of the rainforest and into the bush.
A fantastic day
MiloandFallon,Dec 3, 2025
- Review from Viator
5.00Great to go inland rather than staying on the coast. It was a great day and we saw a lot. Rowan our driver and tour guide was very knowledgeable, respectful and attentive to our needs. An excellent tour allowing us to experience some of Queenslands history, produce, Australia’s beautiful landscape and wildlife. I would highly recommend it.
TERRIBLE AUDIO
amandapA8657PW,Nov 25, 2025
- Review from Tripadvisor
2.00I’ll start with the good. Staff was helpful coordinating pick up locations. Tour was great for first 20 minutes when we could hear the guide. The speaker was completely garbled the rest of the day. I understand glitches happen, but when asked if the system could be adjusted it was stated as “a known issue”for that particular bus. It’s not fun for the guide nor any of the paying clients if communication isn’t clear. Bummed I missed out on the history and agriculture of the area. Please do better
A different experience to the coast, driver James was great, plenty of stops to check out.
James M,Nov 21, 2025
- Review from Viator
5.00Go with the flow and drink plenty of water, worth the time to see an amazing country, very different to the coast
Related Experiences
Operated by Billy Tea Safaris