Name: Full Day Chillagoe Caves and Outback Experience with Lunch
Price: 239.00 AUD
Availability: InStock
Rating: 4.5 (2 reviews)

Highlights

Experience caving at the famous Chillagoe Caves with a local ranger
Savour a delicious lunch at a century-old pub
Visit the historical Chillagoe Smelter Ruins and Balancing Rock
See Aboriginal Rock Art and learn about some Dreamtime stories
Explore Granite Gorge Nature Park and see the native rock wallabies

Travel off the beaten track and embark on a journey into the true Aussie outback. Pass by mountainous ranges to the vast expanse of the outback as you arrive at the Chillagoe Caves, majestic limestone towers, and caverns. Visit Balancing Rock, Granite Gorge, and enjoy lunch at a classic outback pub.

What's included?

Courtesy pick-up and drop-off from your accommodation
Travel in an air-conditioned custom-built 4WD vehicle
Accredited local driver-guide for the day
Morning tea at Skybury Coffee Plantation with tea, coffee and light refreshments
Guided National Parks Chillagoe Cave tour
Entry to Granite Gorge to see wallabies
Lunch at an Aussie pub
All National Park fees
Visit Chillagoe Smelter Ruins
Visit Balancing Rock and Aboriginal Rock Art

After a complimentary pickup from your accommodation in a custom-built 4WD, ascend the McAllister Ranges and be taken on a beautiful journey through diverse landscapes, from lush mountains to the raw Australian outback. Along the way, make sure to keep watch for wallabies, emus, and other native wildlife that frequent the route. Pass by rolling agricultural paddocks, brimming with paw paw, lychee and mangoes before crossing over the Great Divide and into the Western watershed. The first stop is Skybury Coffee for a delightful morning tea featuring local tea or coffee, scones, and tropical fruit and soak up the sweeping views of the countryside from the deck. Continue the journey past historical towns to the Chillagoe-Mungana Caves National Park, home to spectacular limestone towers and underground caves. Immerse yourself in rich history as you explore the caves with a local guide and learn about the fossilised remains of the ancient coral reefs, some 420 million years old.

The next stop on the agenda is the Chillagoe Smelter Ruins, a heritage-listed refinery. Learn about the history of the Chillagoe copper smelters, whose old chimneys dominate the western horizons, and visit the remains of the once-mighty smelters to understand what life may have looked like working there. Then it's time to dig into a true Aussie meal at a century-old pub, before visiting a quaint gift shop filled with Chillagoe marble and local Aboriginal art. Visit Balancing Rock for an iconic photo opportunity and ogle at stunning Aboriginal art. Round out the tour with a stop at Granite Gorge to get up close and personal with adorable rock wallabies.

This experience is part of the Responsible range because they are ECO-certified by Ecotourism Australia.

Important information

Session Length

This experience is approximately 10 hours in duration.

Guidelines

Please advise any dietary requirements at the time of booking
Please provide the ages of any children at the time of booking so booster seats can be arranged
Return transfers to your Cairns City accommodation is included. Port Douglas, Northern Beaches and Southside accommodation is an additional cost (min 2 passengers for Port Douglas)

Cancellation

Change your booking up to 48 hours before the start time of your experience
Changes are not permitted within 48 hours of your experience
Late arrivals or no shows may result in you forfeiting your experience

Numbers on the Day

This experience must meet 3 passengers to operate. This tour has a maximum of 14 participants.

Weather

Itineraries may be changed, operate in a different order or some destinations may not be reached at the discretion of the provider guide on the day due to weather, possible road closures and for the safety of all passengers.

Dress Code

Comfortable clothes and flat closed in shoes - no thongs (flip flops) and no high heels. If you do not have closed in shoes you may not be allowed in the Caves due to safety reasons and the decision of National Parks. In winter you will need to take a light coat.

Location

This experience takes place around Chillagoe, departing Cairns, Northern Beaches and Port Douglas.

Reviews

4.5

2 reviews

5 stars 1

4 stars 1

3 stars 0

2 stars 0

1 star 0

Really Enjoyable Sightseeing Experience

Nicky 17 August 2022

This was a thoroughly enjoyable trip...a long day but very worthwhile...and not too strenuous. We were well catered for by our guide (Gavin) who provided interesting history and background into what we were viewing. Morning Tea at Skybury was yummy (even though no starfruit) and lunch at Chillagoe most enjoyable (quick swap from the planned pub meal cos of COVID staff shortages). This unexpected change did not cause any problems and was handled well. The highlights were definitely the Chillagoe Cave, & the Rock Wallabies at Granite Gorge. Ash (the guide in the Cave) was very knowledgable and experienced...a couple of tight spots but nothing too scary (even for a claustrophobic like me). A little bit of a climb to the Balancing Rock but definitely recommended. The historic mine site was really interesting. We even got to see the Savanahlander Train at the historic station in Almaden. I think that only happens on Wednesdays. We needed a jacket cos it was cool in the bus early in the morning. A really enjoyable day.

Fantastic Chillagoe Caves

Adrian 17 August 2022

Having seen caves all over the world this was one of the best, particularly having to traverse some pretty challenging terrain with no artificial lighting. I compare this to the Vietnamese tunnels being narrow and a challenge to pass through. There were many things to see on the way, but unfortunately, the native forna were not particularly visible. All in all I can recommend this excursion.