Chillagoe Caves and Outback Day Trip from Cairns
5
LIKELY TO SELL OUT*
Chillagoe Caves and Outback Day Trip from Cairns
By Billy Tea Safaris
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About
Benefit from personalized attention on an all-inclusive small-group tour through Tropical North Queensland to Chillagoe-Mungana Caves National Park. Ride in a rugged 4WD vehicle from Cairns to attractions including Chillagoe Caves and Granite Gorge, and cross the McAllister Ranges and the Great Dividing Range en route. Look for kangaroos and other native Australian wildlife, see historic mining towns, and stop for morning tea and a pub lunch.
Lowest price guaranteeReserve now & pay laterFree cancellation
Ages 0-99, max of 19 per group
Duration: 11h 30m
Start time: Check availability
Mobile ticket
Live guide: English
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Highlights
- Includes morning tea, lunch, park admission fees, and cave tour
- Travel in an air-conditioned 4-wheel drive vehicle
- Hotel pickup and drop-off provided from Cairns
- A small group means more attention from your guide
- Return transfers wtih local driver guide and live commentary
- Lunch at a classic Aussie pub in Chillagoe
- Chillagoe-Mungana Caves National Park Guided Tour with a local ranger
- Visit the Chillagoe Smelter Ruins
- Visit Balancing Rock and see Aboriginal Rock Art
- Granite Gorge National Park and see local rock wallabies
- Morning Tea at Skybury Cafe and Roastery with tea, coffee and sweet treats
What's not included- Port Douglas & Northern Beaches transfers additional cost (book with reservations before travel)
- Start:Multiple pickup locations offered.Pickup details
- Port Douglas & Northern Beaches transfers additional cost (once booked, please book with reservations before travel)
Hotel pickup offeredDuring checkout you will be able to select from the list of included hotels.End:This activity ends back at the meeting point. - Not wheelchair accessible
- Infant seats available
If you have questions about accessibility, we’d be happy to help. Just call the number below and reference the product code: 3063CHILOBT- Confirmation will be received at time of booking
- Not recommended for travellers with back problems
- No heart problems or other serious medical conditions
- Travellers should have a moderate physical fitness level
- 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)
- This experience requires good weather. If it’s cancelled due to poor weather, you’ll be offered a different date or a full refund
- This experience requires a minimum number of travellers. If it’s cancelled because the minimum isn’t met, you’ll be offered a different date/experience or a full refund
- This tour/activity will have a maximum of 19 travellers
- For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours in advance of the start date of the experience.
- If you have questions about this tour or need help making your booking, we’d be happy to help. Just call the number below and reference the product code: 3063CHILOBT
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AU$229.00
per adult
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About the operator
Don’t take it from us – here’s what people have to say about this operator:
- c_linev7320 contributionsAmazing tour!Absulotely worth it! The views are amazing and the tour guide gives a lot of information. Would definetely recommend it.Written 8 December 2024
- Joseph L0 contributionsFun day full of natureFantastic tour guide, saw a few crocs, very fun and informative experience. Enjoyed the coconut! Conveniently picked up from our hotel, super easyWritten 8 December 2024
- El R0 contributionsBest bang for your bucks in CairnsWe took the Daintree Rainforest 4WD Tour, which also included the Mossman Gorge & Cape Tribulation with Billy Tea Safaris. Our guide, Gavin, was very knowledgeable and succeeded in creating a magical atmosphere during the 10h of the tour. Every question about plants, animals, and arboriginal culture was answered with passion and a smile. He sometimes surprises us singing at the didgeridoo, so the immersion was complete. We appreciated the well planned tour with thouthfull breaks to keep you interested and alert. From seeing crocodiles on the river or cassowarries on the road to a walk and a bath in the magical rainforest, even getting an original ice cream at the end of the tour, everything was perfect. If you wonder what more can you ask for? Maybe a generous lunch? Oh, that was already in the program 😀.Written 8 December 2024
- amandasS6922PP0 contributionsWish there was more time in the dayThe driver G greeted us with a friendly smile. His commentary was both informative and entertaining. The stops showed great aspects of the area. If only there were more hours in the day.Written 7 December 2024
- S-ABSussex0 contributionsFabulous day in the rainforest and mangrovesThis was a fabulous way to spend a day exploring Daintree forest and Cape Tribulation. Tony (Gavin!) is a brilliant guide and knew an amazing amount about the area, its flora and fauna. Every part of the trip was splendid. Thank you Billy Tea 😎Written 5 December 2024
- CathW5100 contributionsGreat Day in the DaintreeReally enjoyed seeing the rainforest and hearing all about the Daintree. Loved the cruise, boardwalk, swim, lunch, ice cream and the whole day!Written 1 December 2024
- J4287JRdavidd0 contributionsBilly Tea-riffic DayWe signed up on the Billy Tea Rainforest and Cape Tribulation tour off the advice of our hotel and we are very glad we did and feel that the company's reputation is well deserved. We were given clear advice on the when's/where's, what to bring and what to expect and it meant that we had no issues at all on a hugely impressive day. There is a fair bit of driving involved, which I see some other reviewers took some umbrage with... frankly I don't know what they expected, given the distances and the challenges of getting from A to B on the bumpy roads in the middle of a rainforest. The fact is that a) the minivan is both comfortable, fit with aircon and has windows that you can look out of and b) that the tour guide gives an interesting and insightful explanation as we go meant that it didn't feel like a long trip at all. My wife and I enjoyed the travel as a characteristic of the day, as opposed to something to be endured. For my part, the highlight was the rainforest walk as this made fascinating by the tour and explanation. This only just beat a very pleasant lunch at a lodge in the middle of a rainforest (followed by a swim in a creek with water so transparent it was almost invisible), which was a close second. That said, there were so many highlights - Cape Tribulation being one, and the boat tour and accommodating crocs being another - that it seems unfair to try and rank them. We got plenty of amazing photos and both agreed it was time and money well spent and everything the advert promised. A tour is always only as good as the tour guide and we were fantastically well looked after by Rowan and his guide-in-training Carl/Kyle (forgive me, I should have made a note at the time). They were both extremely welcoming, chatty and friendly and always made sure we knew what we needed to know and rewarded any questions with an insightful answer. They were the primary factor that made a good day into a great one. My biggest regret of the day is that I had no cash to buy them a beer as they went home late due to a car accident that had caused some traffic. While we floated down the river, they seamlessly sorted an alternative plan for the day and, rather than sacrifice any element of the tour, they went home late to ensure we did everything. Thanks guys! All in all, I'd recommend the experience for anyone wanting to fit a full range of sights into a single day and will definitely be booking with Billy Tea again if the opportunity presents it.Written 1 December 2024
- Flyer267859168440 contributionsExcellent daytrip to see the Daintree Rainforest!Nice daytrip, leaving from Cairns it takes a while to get to Daintree. But well worth it! The vehicle was quite comfortable although a bit noisy at times. The lunch was excellent and at a very nice location! All in all recommended!Written 1 December 2024
- Li G0 contributionsA day with full of activity.Our tour guide also our driver is very knowledgeable and humorous. A day with him, full of activity and information, is a treat. Highly recommendedWritten 27 November 2024
- dermNinja0 contributionsAn Exceptional Tour ExperienceI travel extensively, and I’m not usually a huge fan of organized tours. However, every so often, I decide to let someone else handle the planning so I can sit back and relax. And I’m glad I did this time! This was a fantastic experience from start to finish, and I believe what truly made it special was the tour guide—Ronan or Rowan (I’m not sure of the correct spelling). He was a wealth of information that I found genuinely interesting, and at no point during this full-day tour did I feel bored. The planning was seamless and covered all the highlights I was expecting, but what stood out was how the guide went above and beyond my expectations to make the experience truly memorable. Our guide was professional, knowledgeable, and fantastic at his job. It was a very much appreciated and unforgettable day for meWritten 21 November 2024
- joysI695AJ0 contributionsIllogical pickups and dropoffsWe were picked up from our hotel and was 2nd pick up, We continued picking up passengers from other hotels around Cairns. However we drove past our hotel 4 times. There was no logical order in pickups. We were not the only ones. We must have gone down every street at least 2 or 3 times. The trip was okay overall however we didn't see any wildlife except a stingray on the beach stop. The meal was excellent. Best steak I've ever eaten. It advised us to take swimming gear. However the place we stopped at was at lunch we were given 1hr to eat and swim. There was no where to change but more so no where to swim. The water was 1 inch deep. The journey again was like the pickups. Very illogical in drop offs. After passing our hotel twice and then turning left at a corner when our hotel was opposite we asked could we be dropped off and walk which was all of 1 minute. We weren't the only ones that did this 2 parties also did it. If you want an unguided tour of Cairns you've got the right trip.Written 20 November 2024
- Lee C0 contributionsLovely day out and taster of DaintreeLovely Day, great informative guide, lovely food and creek swim…only disappointment was not seeing any crocs on the river cruise (but that’s wildlife for you)! Gives a little flavour.Written 14 November 2024
- C7056FAkatherines0 contributionsA top experience in the Port Douglas / Cairns area.A top experience in the Port Douglas area. While snorkeling the Great Barrier Reef is obvious, do NOT miss seeing Daintree NP. They picked me up in Port Douglas, and our group had a great day seeing crocodiles on a river trip, eating a delicious lunch in the rain forest, swimming in a cold clear creek, and seeing Cape Tribulation. The best was the terrific guiding of AJ - everywhere along the way, and especially on the boardwalk through the rainforest. He is infectiously positive about this area and told us many interesting facts and stories about animals, plants, and history. We had Daintree ice cream (a dish with 4 flavors!) and a fantastic time together as a group.Written 13 November 2024
- Elise B0 contributionsInformative and wonderful sightsFantastic experience. Huge day jam packed with so much great info and wonderful sights. Our guide Andy was so knowledgeable and extremely welcoming. Would highly recommend to anyone visiting FNQ.Written 9 November 2024
- Crazyokie0 contributionsGreat way to experience the DaintreeWow. Simply wow. Rowan was our guide / driver and he was simply amazing. It is a long drive from Cairns to the Daintree but the truck is quite comfortable and Ro made it seem short - he is very knowledgeable about the Daintree and gave us a ton of info about the rainforest, the creatures that live there, the weather (cyclone Jasper, getting 6 meters of rain annually). After all the buildup, the Daintree did not disappoint. It is amazing. Cape Tribulation was really cool, the river cruise was great (and we got to see Scarface, the dominant male saltwater croc on that section of the river). Lunch was fantastic - barramundi (local white fish). We'll be talking about this trip for a long time, and Billy Tea is a big reason why.Written 1 November 2024
These reviews are the subjective opinions of Tripadvisor members and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
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5.0
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Richard H
1 contribution
Nov 2021
This tour was marked down since the beginning of the year as something I wanted to see, and I heard very good reviews across a wide variety of social media sites. Our guide Hirani provided very informative information about the regions culture, history, geology and biodiversity. Highlights of the day was an amazing morning tea at Skybury Coffee Plantation, especially scones, cream and red papaya jam. The ranger guided tour of Royal Arch Cave by Ashley who did an amazing job keeping us safe, beautiful Fish and Chips for lunch at the Post Office Hotel. Seeing the Wallabies at Granite George capped off an amazing experience wonderfully facilitated by Hirani. This has been the highlight of my trip to Cairns so far.
Written 2 November 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Thank you so much for joining us and Hirani on the Outback Day trip! It's so wonderful to read that you had a good day!
Written 25 November 2021
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
KEB59
Perth, Australia9 contributions
June 2021
Our tour was a wealth of knowledge and kept us informed of local flora and fauna. Morning tea was a delight and the scenery spectacular. The caves was a great experience and ranger Dave had a great sense of humour. Lunch was at the pub and a cold beer was had. Some rock climbing to see some unusual boulder formations, some indigenous rock art and then homeward bound.
Written 5 June 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Thanks Keb!
Written 20 June 2021
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
Stu W
Cairns, Australia827 contributions
Apr 2024 • Couples
After a wet, grey start, our first-class Guide, Gavin (aka Steve Irwin with a goatee) took us safely over the water-damaged Kuranda Range and, as predicted, into a day filled with sunshine and blue skies.
Great coffee, scones and paw-paw at Skybury Coffe farm, a dozen km west of Mareeba then on to Chillagoe.
The Royal Arch was a great experience and made so enjoyable with our knowledgable cave guide and Ranger Dave!
Good pub Lunch followed a visit to the old copper smelting site.
Stops at old Almaden railway station and the Mareeba golf course to experience a mob of at least 50 Grey Kangaroos. Wonderful timing Gav!
After a final 30 minute visit to Granite Gorge to find another dozen Wallabies, we headed home to Cairns.
A fantastic day for everyone.
Take water, hat, camera, snacks and sun cream.
Mobiles work well in towns (Dimbulah, Almaden, Chillagoe, Mareeba)
Thanks Gavin for a wonderful day.
Great coffee, scones and paw-paw at Skybury Coffe farm, a dozen km west of Mareeba then on to Chillagoe.
The Royal Arch was a great experience and made so enjoyable with our knowledgable cave guide and Ranger Dave!
Good pub Lunch followed a visit to the old copper smelting site.
Stops at old Almaden railway station and the Mareeba golf course to experience a mob of at least 50 Grey Kangaroos. Wonderful timing Gav!
After a final 30 minute visit to Granite Gorge to find another dozen Wallabies, we headed home to Cairns.
A fantastic day for everyone.
Take water, hat, camera, snacks and sun cream.
Mobiles work well in towns (Dimbulah, Almaden, Chillagoe, Mareeba)
Thanks Gavin for a wonderful day.
Written 25 April 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Always-in-the-Sun
St. Croix14 contributions
Feb 2020
My wife and I booked this tour and enjoyed every minute of it. Every bit of the journey was wonderful. The drive was long, but it allowed you to see a great deal of this area and how the landscape changes, agriculture, and history. Though the caves were the highlight of the trip, the other stops along the way were equally as interesting.
Our Guide did a great job explaining things and ensuring that the group was well hydrated and taken care of. We highly recommend the tour.
Be sure to bring a seat cushion, the seats are not very comfortable. Not sure the owners of the tour have ever sat in the back, also if you are in the very back seats, you may miss a good portion of the driver sharing information, as there are no speakers in the rear of the bus.
Our Guide did a great job explaining things and ensuring that the group was well hydrated and taken care of. We highly recommend the tour.
Be sure to bring a seat cushion, the seats are not very comfortable. Not sure the owners of the tour have ever sat in the back, also if you are in the very back seats, you may miss a good portion of the driver sharing information, as there are no speakers in the rear of the bus.
Written 14 February 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Hi there, thanks for your review, we are glad to hear you had a great time! We most certainly look after all of our busses with ongoing maintenance and full maintenance completed every year.
Written 17 February 2020
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
Tanya M
Townsville, Australia26 contributions
Feb 2023 • Solo
What a Fantastic way to see Chillagoe! Mark our tour leader did a wonderful job driving the 4x4 through some rough and boggy tracks, teaching is about the history and showing us all that was there to offer! Lunch was delicious, caves were just incredible! End of the day was topped off with some pats with some friendly wallabies. Absolutely loved it!!!
Written 1 March 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Angela
2 contributions
July 2021 • Family
Our guide Hirani was very informative and she made the long journey to the caves pass quickly with her entertaining and funny stories. We had many stops along the way to break up the long journey.
The caves were amazing and definitely the highlight of the day trip. However after spending such a long time driving there I was disappointed we only got one hour to explore a portion of only one of the three caves in the area. I would have happily missed all the other activities to spend more time at the caves.
For those wishing to explore all three caves, this is not the tour for you. Otherwise most of the activities included were enjoyable especially feeding the rock wallabies at Granite Gorge.
The caves were amazing and definitely the highlight of the day trip. However after spending such a long time driving there I was disappointed we only got one hour to explore a portion of only one of the three caves in the area. I would have happily missed all the other activities to spend more time at the caves.
For those wishing to explore all three caves, this is not the tour for you. Otherwise most of the activities included were enjoyable especially feeding the rock wallabies at Granite Gorge.
Written 20 July 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Hi Angela, we are sorry to read you didn't feel like you had enough time in the caves. Everything is clearly stated in the tours itinerary. Hopefully you get another chance to visit and spend as much time as you'd like! Thank you so much for choosing to join us on this adventure, we are definitely glad you enjoyed the Rock Wallabies and granite Gorge
Written 3 December 2021
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
regina c
Philadelphia, PA1 contribution
Mar 2024 • Couples
We had a really fun day with Billy Tea Safaris on the Chillagoe Caves and Outback tour. Our guide (Gavin) was great. We made several interesting stops during the day which really added to the enjoyment. Gavin shared lots of fun information along the way and made sure everyone was comfortable and enjoying themselves. He even went out of his way to make sure we saw a "mob" of kangaroo up close. This tour is a full day out of Cairns and well worth it. Highly recommend it and this company.
Written 1 April 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Jen Saunders
Melbourne, Australia3 contributions
July 2024 • Couples
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.
Written 26 July 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Anon632016
Torquay, UK2 contributions
Sept 2023 • Family
Our tour guide 'Gav' was extremely approachable, entertaining, engaging, informative and knowledgeable. The day was well planned and pitched at the abilities of the individual also taking into consideration the ages and welfare of all. We managed to see lots of things that we wouldn't have managed ourselves in a few days let alone one. The trip brought home some of the hardship of days gone by and how much toil was involved in creating some sort of infrastructure to access raw minerals, we had an insight into indigenous lives and cultures, natural wonders and iconic wildlife. Vehicle comfortable complete with some good ol' Aussie 'toons' from John Williamson to ACDC! Plenty of stops including a lovely brekkie stop at the coffee plantation and typical pub lunch. Would definitely recommend it to others and hopefully will experience one of the other trips when we manage to visit the land down under in the future
Written 1 October 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Eva S
Melbourne, Australia139 contributions
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.
Written 1 June 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Can you purchase tickets at caves or must you book in advance? We will be driving there from Cairns.
Written 21 January 2019
Can you purchase tickets at caves or must you book in advance? We will be driving there from Cairns.
Written 21 January 2019
We are staying in Port Douglas,can we get picked up from there for this tour
Written 12 May 2018
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