The Crystal Caves
The Crystal Caves
4.5
9:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Monday
9:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Tuesday
9:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Wednesday
9:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Thursday
9:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Friday
9:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Saturday
9:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Sunday
9:00 AM - 5:00 PM
About
One hour from Cairns on the Atherton Tableland, share one man’s passion for crystals and fossils. On this self-guided tour, you journey through 300m2 of man-made tunnels and grottos with million year old natural crystals and prehistoric fossils. Interactive crystal displays allow you to feel and photograph and even crack your own…
Duration: 1-2 hours
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See what travellers are saying
- VictoriaLondon, United Kingdom9 contributionsWell worth a visit!A total GEM! We stumbled across this place on our trip round the waterfall circuit. We all loved it. Cracking our own geodes, my son was in heaven. So much so he’s gone back with my husband today, a 4hr round trip!!!Sounds like the perfect day. Waterfalls and crystals. Glad to hear your husband and son came back againWritten 13 November 2023This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.Visited October 2023Travelled with familyWritten 3 October 2023
- Benjamin M6 contributionsPerfect for those wanting something a little different!This place is one of the best attractions in the FNQ region! The museum was well designed and featured many stunning pieces (crystals). At the end, having the opportunity to crack open your very own geode (cost extra but worth it!) was fantastic. Crystals and jewellery for sale were well priced and the staff, very friendly and knowledgeable. Plan to come back here next time I am in the area! Crystal enthusiasts, this is a must visit for you.Thank you so much for recognising our ongoing efforts to bring something unique to visitors and locals of Tropical North Queensland. We hugely value our staff and am glad that you did tooWritten 13 November 2023This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.Visited September 2023Travelled with friendsWritten 12 October 2023
- KathydaleChicago, Illinois26 contributionsDon't miss it!This was fun! The cave is fake, but very well done. It's a fabulously creative way to display a lot of awesome crystals and fossils. The specimens are remarkable and made even more interesting by the display. I don't want to ruin and surprises but if you're in the area, it's not to be missed!Thanks for the amazing review! We’re so glad you enjoyed your visit and had fun exploring our crystal cave. We’re thrilled that you appreciated the creativity behind the displays and the fascinating specimens! We hope you’ll visit us again soon – there’s always more to discover!Written 14 November 2024This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.Visited June 2024Travelled as a coupleWritten 16 June 2024
These reviews are the subjective opinion of Tripadvisor members and not of TripAdvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
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4.5
520 reviews
Excellent
333
Very good
129
Average
35
Poor
13
Terrible
10
These reviews have been automatically translated from their original language.
This service may contain translations provided by Google. Google disclaims all warranties, express or implied, with respect to translations, including any warranties of accuracy, reliability, and any implied warranties of merchantability, fitness for a particular purpose, and freedom from forgery.
IPryor56
Townsville, Australia1 contribution
Feb 2020 • Family
My 8 yo GrandDaughter & I were completely in our element at the Caves. We spent many hours admiring the crystals and she split her own Geode! We highly recommend exploring the caves... but allow a few hours so you do not miss a thing. One of our best displays was the Amethyst in the rose quartz brook. 👍😁
Written 29 June 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.
The Amethyst is amazing isn't it! And I appreciate you calling the rose quartz feature a brook. That's exactly what we were aiming for
Written 30 June 2020
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
Pantherboy
Georgetown, Australia4,784 contributions
Dec 2020 • Solo
I have driven past The Crystal Caves hundreds of times when passing through Atherton and have always thought I have to have a look one day. Today, I did just that. It was quite a surprise, much better than I thought it would be. An innovative and educational exhibition. There were equal numbers of adults and kids really enjoying winding their way through the caves. Whilst there aren't anywhere near the number of exhibits as at the excellent Ted Elliott collection at the famous Terrestrial centre at Georgetown, this still has a very impressive collection from around the world. The real attraction here is the wonderfully innovative way it is all displayed. Plenty of great stuff to buy as well, and you can crack your own geode. Entry to the caves is $25 for adults. Great value, and a great experience!
Written 19 December 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.
Glad you enjoyed it and finally took the time to stop and have a look. Did you know by the way, that many of the specimens in the Ted Elliot Collection were donated by Rene? They were great mates and shared many stories and swapped many rocks over the years, like Rene, he was a true collector
Written 5 January 2021
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
Ting828
Brisbane38 contributions
Oct 2020
Despite just window shopping, I had to drop a review purely based off the customer service. We were warmly greeted by a friendly face. A quick overview was provided of the activities on offer but no pressure to do any of it. Advice was given regarding our travels and wonderful backstories were provided to the art that was surrounding us.
The lady that we interacted with (I think her name was Melissa?) held a real passion for her job which extended to her interactions with us and other customers. It was a wonderful place to be and left us with a smile.
The lady that we interacted with (I think her name was Melissa?) held a real passion for her job which extended to her interactions with us and other customers. It was a wonderful place to be and left us with a smile.
Written 26 October 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.
Thank you so much. I will pass this onto Melissa. She really is a gem isnt she! Pun intended:)
Written 29 November 2020
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
suzanab1966
7 contributions
Jan 2020 • Family
What a great concept right here in the Atherton Tablelands. The staff were incredibly friendly, knowledgeable and gracious. Our adult children were visiting and enjoyed the day immensely. Only reservation was that there was a large amount of people come in at the same time and they had maybe 10-12 young children out of control running around and shouting, bumping into others, spoilt this perfect day.
Written 29 June 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.
Thanks for your review. We do encourage children to learn about rocks and crystals, unfortunately, once they are in the museum, we rely on parents to control the excitement... we will, however let customers know if there is a large number of kids in the museum which will allow them to make the choice of waiting. Thank you for the idea
Written 30 June 2020
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
Benjamin M
6 contributions
Sept 2023 • Friends
This place is one of the best attractions in the FNQ region! The museum was well designed and featured many stunning pieces (crystals). At the end, having the opportunity to crack open your very own geode (cost extra but worth it!) was fantastic. Crystals and jewellery for sale were well priced and the staff, very friendly and knowledgeable. Plan to come back here next time I am in the area! Crystal enthusiasts, this is a must visit for you.
Written 12 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.
Thank you so much for recognising our ongoing efforts to bring something unique to visitors and locals of Tropical North Queensland. We hugely value our staff and am glad that you did too
Written 13 November 2023
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
abbythings
Picton, Australia107 contributions
July 2020 • Couples
I’m a rock hoarder - but this collection is displayed in the absolute best way for anyone and everyone to enjoy. I was a bit dubious about ‘man made caves’ but seriously- just do it, Kids, mums, dads, young and old will love this place and the incredible experience and learning- the staff are great, super friendly. Warning ⚠️ stick to your budget lol this place is filled with rare and wonderful treats and treasures.
Written 25 July 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.
It's so good to hear the skeptics converted. Pleased that we could impress a hoarder.
Written 29 November 2020
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
MacBenoy
Adelaide, Australia22 contributions
Oct 2024 • Family
A stunner, starts low level and builds to a stunning effect. You'll be lucky to find anything comparable ANYWHERE else. We saw kids, parents, teens and grands and they were all impressed. There is also a stylish shop with purchase opportunities for all ages and budgets. I sound like a paid salesman, but this is a distinctive hidden gem (literaly) the likes of which we've never seen in 50 years of travel.
Written 21 October 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.
Wow! 50 years! I can't wait to pass that onto Rene.
Thank you so much for the amazing review! We’re absolutely stoked to hear that you had such a fantastic time at The Crystal Caves. And isn't it awesome that everyone, from kids to grandparents, can enjoy it.
We’re really proud of our shop and what we offer, and it’s great to hear you found something for everyone. Your kind words really made our day!
We can’t wait to welcome you back next time you’re in the area – hope to see you again soon!
Written 14 November 2024
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
sjpals
Canberra, Australia6 contributions
Oct 2024 • Solo
I love crystals so went out of my way to go and wish I didn’t.
Don’t bother.
The jewellery and stones in the shop are not much better than I could get online, but are an ok price.
The tour and crack a geode were expensive and car parking is only one hour, so would feel rushed to do it.
It is ‘pet friendly’ and there was a very smelly dog in the shop. Totally put me off, and I left.
Don’t bother.
The jewellery and stones in the shop are not much better than I could get online, but are an ok price.
The tour and crack a geode were expensive and car parking is only one hour, so would feel rushed to do it.
It is ‘pet friendly’ and there was a very smelly dog in the shop. Totally put me off, and I left.
Written 23 October 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.
Thank you for taking the time to share your thoughts. We’re sorry to hear that your visit didn’t meet your expectations, but we do appreciate your feedback.
We’d like to clarify that the parking is council-managed, and there is an all-day free parking area behind the main street, which is clearly signposted as you arrive. We hope this information can make your next visit more convenient.
We also want to thank you for pointing out that our prices are competitive. We take pride in offering real, quality stones, something that can be difficult to guarantee when shopping online, so we’re glad to know you noticed that.
As for the pet-friendly atmosphere, we understand that not everyone shares the same preferences. Most of our customers really appreciate being able to bring their dogs into the shop, and we do our best to maintain a welcoming environment for everyone.
We truly value your feedback and hope you’ll consider visiting us again in the future.
Written 14 November 2024
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
C. m
6 contributions
July 2024 • Family
Variety of crystals
Huge presentation effort!
Super interactive and educational
The whole family loved it
And feel free to crack a geode, even the staging is great and a person explains how old your geode is and its characteristics.
Incredible team that takes the time to explain.
Frankly perfect!
Huge presentation effort!
Super interactive and educational
The whole family loved it
And feel free to crack a geode, even the staging is great and a person explains how old your geode is and its characteristics.
Incredible team that takes the time to explain.
Frankly perfect!
Automatically translated
Written 27 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.
G'day,
Un grand merci pour votre avis fantastique ! Nous sommes ravis d'apprendre que toute votre famille a adoré l'expérience. Nous sommes fiers de l'effort que nous mettons dans la présentation des cristaux et dans le côté interactif et éducatif de la visite. C'est génial de savoir que le craquage de géode et les explications ont enrichi votre expérience !
Nous ne manquerons pas de transmettre vos gentils mots à l'équipe – ils seront ravis de savoir que vous avez apprécié leur travail.
Nous espérons vous accueillir à nouveau bientôt pour une autre expérience inoubliable !
Written 15 November 2024
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
kandiklaws
1 contribution
July 2020 • Family
I've been visiting the crystal caves since I was a child as I have a lot of relatives who live in and around the Atherton Tablelands, and it has never disappointed me. The Crystal Caves sparked my lifelong fascination in gems and minerals. The staff are always ready to help you find the perfect gift and are well educated about where the crystals can be found and which one is the best for you. I'd practically live there if I could! You simply must visit!
Written 21 July 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.
That is amazing. I can't believe we have been a part of your life for so long! We opened in Atherton in 1983 and continue to grow and change! Thanks for sharing
Written 29 November 2020
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
We will be in Cairns in march 2024. We don't drive. Is there a tour or public transit , bus or trains, that would take us to the Crystal Caves? Thanks
Written 11 February 2024
Hi Michel
I apologise, not on Tripadvisor much. Hope you had a joyeous time in Cairns. x
Written 7 April 2024
Are the displays full wheel chair accessible?
Written 17 May 2017
The caves are very accessible. Take your time - it's amazing what you will find tucked away in the walls. The shop is also very interesting, whether you buy or not. Staff are very friendly. A very pleasant way to spend some time in Atherton.
Written 17 May 2017
Hi,
cracking a geode starts at $20 and goes right up to $200 depending on the size. remember that if you select one and the opening is very small or the crystals are dull, you get to choose another...
Written 31 August 2015
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