Chillagoe Caves and Outback Day Trip: Explore Australia's Natural and Historic Gems from 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…
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…

Location
Cairns
Cancellation Policy

For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.

Customer Ratings
4.8
(176 Ratings)
5 stars
4 stars
3 stars
2 stars
1 star
Z9409nqmaryb
May 19, 2025
Wonderful day in Chillagoe!!! - The Skybury Cafe for morning tea was an unexpected, refreshing treat! The coffee was excellent- smooth and rich with beautiful presentation… the scones with papaya syrup and fresh whipped cream were amazing! The ranger at the caves was very informative and answered all our questions, she was super… the caves were interesting and easy to walk through- we were happy that each person had their own torch… Balancing rock was a bit of a steep climb but doable for most (about 200 meters)… got to see some aboriginal art and guinea hens! Lunch was in Chillagoe town at the local pub and very good… our visit to the rock wallabies was amazing- they were so incredibly cute- an incredible experience close up to them! A highlight of the trip and a perfect end to the day! We loved them!
Review provided by Tripadvisor
William_f
Apr 11, 2025
Very good tour, our guide... - Very good tour, our guide Ro was excellent from driving, to talking about all activities very safe at all times.
Review provided by Viator
Jeanetteds7442rg
Apr 5, 2025
Must do while in Cairns! - This was such a great tour! The various stops to and from the caves were all excellent. Don't miss out on this adventure to the outback with a touch of history, a splash of coffee, and a cuddle with a wallaby!
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Mihai_i
Mar 17, 2025
Nice one - Trip was a success, guide was witty and knoledgeble, locations we stopped at were awesome... its worth it for sure
Review provided by Viator
Deborah_m
Mar 12, 2025
Chillagoe Outback Tour - This was a wonderful excursion. Our tour guide Ro with Billy Tea Safaris was so knowledgeable and entertaining. It was a long day but worth it.
Review provided by Viator
Gerald_w
Mar 9, 2025
Caves - Andrew was a great guide. Mick at the caves was excellent. To us the guides make the trip. So the travel, extensive, was filled with tales (don't know how tall) of the area and the characters. The Caves are marvelous, a treasure.
Review provided by Viator
Royal_k
Mar 5, 2025
Excellent tour. Guide... - Excellent tour. Guide was great, very educational. Cave was different than many we have visited. Seeing the rock wallaby was a real treat!
Review provided by Viator
Mark_b
Feb 16, 2025
Fantastic opportunity to see the Australian Outback - What a great day! We wanted a tour that would bring us out of the city, and into the Outback. Our tour guide, Mike, picked us up in a great all wheel drive vehicle, and proceeded to take us on a fantastic tour into the heart of the countryside. We stopped for tea and scones along the 100km drive, and then toured the Chillagoe caves and abandoned smelter sites. Beautiful scenery and history behind these sites. The tour of the caves was exceptional. We then had lunch at a local restaurant, and proceeded to the balanced rock site. Our final stop to see the rock wallabies was interrupted by a major storm, and Mike gave us the option to wait it out, or proceed. We voted to proceed, and all I can say is it was good we had the all wheel drive vehicle for the return trip. Mike traversed the creeks, and got us back safely. Overall, a long, but fantastic experience seeing the outback countryside.
Review provided by Viator
I3630yalauram
Apr 16, 2025
Great trip but long travel times - Overall a great trip. Our guide, Rowan, was very friendly and informative. The coffee plantation stop basically just stopping at the cafe for coffee and scones (both very good). Nice view from the cafe. Caves were very interesting - lots of bats which were unusually active. Arachnaphobes beware, there are big huntsman spiders too! Lunch at the pub was very much an outback pub meal - friendly staff and food was filling but basic. The walk in the area with the balancing rock was cool (I am a geology nerd) but relatively short, and the wallabies were cute, although felt much like feeding them in zoos / wildlife parks. I have rated 4 rather than 5 because there is a lot of time on the bus compared to the activities, which is unavoidable if you want to get to the ‘outback’. The bus is reasonably comfortable and Rowan made it as interesting as possible talking us through the changing landscapes but make sure to set your expectations appropriately.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Complacentlyinsane
Mar 11, 2025
Good day-long activity (except the captive wildlife at the end) - The tour is mostly pretty good, and Mike was a great guide+driver. The only reason for a 4-star is a matter of personal preference, which is a dislike for capitve wildlife and places that exhibit them. After such a great day outdoors, it felt like being taken to a tourist trap for the sake of it when we stopped at Granite Gorge Nature Park. But everything else was pretty amazing.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
From $154
up to 10 guests
1 - Adult
Cancellation: Free cancellation up to 24 hours before the start of your experience (local time).