1 Day Chillagoe – Aussie Outback 4WD Tour
Adult $239|Child 4-16 yrs $179|
Family 2A+2C $750
Departs 7am – 6pm
Join this exclusive small-group 4WD tour that travels inland to Chillagoe, North Queensland’s Outback. Enjoy morning tea at Skybury Coffee Plantation in Mareeba, spot kangaroos, emus, wildlife galore! Drive past diverse dry tropical farmlands. Pass through historic mining ghost towns and small outback communities. Visit the local Aboriginal Rock Art and Balancing Rock. Explore the famous Chillagoe Caves and see the once-booming Chillagoe smelter ruins, enjoy an Outback Aussie lunch in a 100-year-old pub.
The only full day outback tour from Cairns! Includes Chillagoe Caves, Aboriginal Rock Art, Granite Gorge, Wallabies, Skybury Cafe, Outback Pub and more!
Departing Monday, Wednesday and Friday (except Good Friday, 4th May 2026, Christmas Day and New Years Day
Pick-up from Cairns included.
Itinerary
Explore the Chillagoe Caves, Granite Gorge and other highlights of Tropical North Queensland on this full-day Outback tour from Cairns.
Stop 1: Skybury Coffee Plantation for Morning Tea – enjoy a coffee or tea and a morning snack (such as scones, jam and cream, and tropical fruit) while enjoying the balcony views.
Stop 2: Private local ranger-guided Chillagoe-Mungana Caves National Park Tour – take a step back in time and be inspired by the knowledge of your guide as he explains about the fossilized remains of the ancient coral reefs some 400 – 420 million years old, with hidden limestone labyrinths give a portal to a lost world just like our own Great Barrier Reef. This was once the inland sea. Millions of years in the making, the limestone formations and Chillagoe-Munagana Caves are nothing short of spectacular.
Stop 3: Chillagoe Smelter Ruins – here we delve into the history of the Chillagoe copper smelters, whose old chimneys dominate the western horizon. We visit the remains of the once-mighty smelters to ponder what it was like working there.
Stop 4: Aussie lunch at Chillagoe’s 100-year-old pub – a true Australian Outback Pub built at the turn of the century! There is time to visit the unique gift shop in Chillagoe, which specialises in Chillagoe marble and local Aboriginal art.
Stop 5: Visit Balancing Rock for an iconic photo opportunity!
Stop 6: See Aboriginal Rock Art and learn about some Dreamtime stories.
Stop 7: Visit Granite Gorge to see the wallabies – get up close and personal with these local rock wallabies at Granite Gorge National Park and have time to explore this National Park before making your way home.
There are also stairs to climb to get into the caves. A reasonable level of fitness is required for this tour. It is not suitable for people with mobility issues or wheelchairs
Please advise of any dietary requirements at the time of booking. Itinerary may be subject to change due to weather conditions in the wet season. Tour is only available from Cairns. Tour Operator will provide Baby Seats or Booster Seats. Please advise upon booking; all children up to 7 years.
Please note: Itineraries may be changed or operated in a different order, or some destinations may not be reached at the discretion of Billy Tea Safaris’ guide during the day due to weather and possible road closures, and for the safety of all passengers.
Inclusions
- Small-group day tour in a luxury 4WD
- Hotel transfers from Cairns CBD
- Travel off the beaten track down exclusive 4WD backroads- Morning tea Skybury Coffee Plantation with local coffee or tea, and a snack
- Spot kangaroos, emus, wallabies, wedge-tail eagles (wildlife galore!)
- Visit the Balancing Rock for a photo opportunity
- See some Aboriginal Rock Art and learn about local Dreamtime stories
- Visit the Chillagoe Smelter Ruins
- Explore the famous Chillagoe Caves with a local expert guide who will share stories and the local history of the area
- Find fossils in ancient limestone casts at Chillagoe
- Enjoy an Aussie Outback lunch in the 100-year-old local pub in Chillagoe
- Visit the wallabies at Granite Gorge and see local wildlife
- Pass through historic mining ghost towns & small outback communities
What to bring
- Hat
- Sunglasses
- Camera
- Sunscreen
- Water bottle
- Extra cash or credit card for additional purchases
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Here’s why thousands of customers trustCairns Discovery Tours.
🗓️ Flexible Cancellations
Enjoy peace of mind with our flexible booking policy. Most Cairns Tours can be cancelled up to 24 hours before departure with a full refund. (Helicopter tours are 48 hours) We make exploring Cairns stress free, so you can book with confidence.
💳 Book Now, Pay Later
Reserve your place on our popular Cairns day tours with Klarna’s Book Now, Pay Later option, or just give us a call or send us an email to secure your booking. We will be in touch to arrange payment 7 days before your departure. Perfect for planning your Cairns holiday without upfront costs.
🌴 Local Since 1995
For over 30 years, Cairns Discovery Tours has been proudly locally owned and operated. Established in 1995, we’ve shared the tropical beauty of Far North Queensland travellers from around the world. Based in Cairns, we offer authentic tour experiences backed by genuine local knowledge and long standing connections to the region.
👩🏫 Expert Local Guides
Our passionate Cairns tour guides are storytellers, historians, and nature enthusiasts. With deep local knowledge, they bring the Great Barrier Reef, Daintree Rainforest, and Cairns’ tropical heritage to life, ensuring an unforgettable and educational experience.
