Outback Tour and Chillagoe Caves
Billy Tea Safaris 
- Cairns
Chillagoe Outback tour
Cost: |
A$0 (2 Passengers) |
Duration:
Valid for 01APR25-31MAR26: 11.5 hours.
Departure Days:
Valid for 01APR25-31MAR26: Monday, Wednesday and Friday except 25DEC and 01JAN.
Departure Time:
06:50am.
Departure Point:
Cairns.
Pickup:
Cairns city accommodation (from 6:50am)
Dropoff:
Cairns city accommodation (6:30pm)
Meals:
- Outback pub lunch.
- Morning tea.
Not Included:
- Transfers from Ellis Beach, Thala Beach and Port Douglas accommodation.
- Afternoon tea.
Not Available
Cost: |
A$0 (2 Passengers) |
Inclusions:
Valid for 01APR25-31MAR26:
- Cairns city accommodation transfers.
- Knowledgeable and engaging outback nature guide.
- Travel diverse landscapes, from Rainforest clad ranges to open dry Woodland on a mix of sealed roads and dusty outback tracks.
- See tropical farmlands and sample local produce at Skybury.
- Regular sightings of Kangaroos, Emu's and majestic Wedge Tailed Eagles.
- Explore the remarkable Chillagoe Caves on a Ranger guided tour.
- Visit Balancing rock and see remnants of ancient Aboriginal Rock Art.
- Visit Chillagoe's historically significant mining site and smelter ruins.
- Meet the locals over lunch at a fair-dinkum, Aussie outback pub.
- Hand-feed rare and endangered Rock Wallabies at Granite Gorge.
What to Bring:
- Money for afternoon tea.
- Enclosed footwear.
- Comfortable clothing (a light coat for winter months, June-August).
- Hat.
- Sunscreen.
- Camera.
- Water bottle.
- Insect repellent.
Itinerary:
Valid for 01APR25-31MAR26:
Picking up at your accommodation in a Billy Tea Safaris custom 4WD vehicle, discover the accessible Australian Outback on this unique and immersive full-day tour from Cairns. Travelling inland, witness the transition from coastal rainforest clad mountains to dry-tropical woodland, mixed-use farming land and the spectacular karst landscapes of the Chillagoe-Mungana Caves National Park. The tablelands region around Mareeba is a valuable food-bowl generating a wide variety of produce such as avocados, mangoes, limes, lychees, table grapes, sugarcane and cotton. Morning tea is served on the scenic deck at Skybury Café, Australia’s leading producers of sweet red-papaya and some outstanding Arabica coffee! We drive on towards Chillagoe across the bed of a former inland sea, on the lookout for majestic Wedge Tailed Eagles, Kangaroos and Emus while your guide points out other distinctive flora and fauna. Small outback communities and historic mining towns contrast with modern-day wind turbines visible on the nearby Emerald Range. On arrival at Chillagoe, join a ranger guided tour through one of the regions remarkable limestone caves, 400-million years in the making. With torch in hand, learn about the formation of the caves impressive decorations including Stalactites, Stalagmites and brilliant sparkling crystals. This cool, dark environment is home to a range of illusive creatures, including echolocating micro-bats, white-rumped swiftlets, and the harmless spotted python whose ability to prey using heat sensing pits is perfectly adapted to life in a low light environment. Back above ground, enjoy a photo opportunity at the extraordinary Balancing Rock before a short walk to the neighbouring Wullumba Rock Art Site providing a glimpse into more than 37,000 years of local indigenous occupation. The Chillagoe Smelters employed over 1000 people in it’s prime, processing Copper, Lead, Silver and Gold contributing significantly to the regional economy. Ceasing operations in 1943 these eerie abandoned structures stand as a testament to the regions mining heritage. Say g’day to the locals as we refresh with lunch and a cold drink at a fair-dinkum Aussie pub before our final stop at Granite Gorge with the opportunity to hand-feed the rare and endangered Mareeba Rock Wallabies in their natural habitat.
Child Policy:
Valid for 01APR24-31MAR26:
Infant: 0-3 years inclusive - free of charge
Child: 4-16 years inclusive - child rates apply.
Important Information:
Valid for 01APR25-31MAR26:
Transfers:
- Return transfers are included from Cairns City accommodation.
- Transfers from the Northern Beaches and Port Douglas are available at additional cost with clients picked up by International Coaches and transferred to the Canopy's Edge bus stop to meet the Billy Tea Vehicle. Reverse in the afternoon. Guests alight at the same location in the afternoon with return to accommodation by own arrangements. Smithfield is a 13km/15min drive 1-way from Palm Cove or 54km/55min from Port Douglas. Transfers can be arranged at additional cost: Northern Beaches: $35pp nett Port Doulgas: $100ppnett (min 2 pax).
General:
- Department of Transport Regulations state seat belts are compulsory for all passengers and infants and must be worn at all times.
- Billy Tea Safaris reserves the right to alter or cancel itineraries due to weather conditions, flooding or other factors beyond the control of the operator, no refund will be given in these circumstances or in the event of any delay.
- Billy Tea Safaris is not liable for any failure to make connections with any other service or guarantee the vehicle type used or operation of any particular service.
- Billy Tea Safaris will not be held responsible for any personal injury or loss due to events beyond their control.
- A reasonable level of fitness is required for this tour as there are steps into the caves, uneven ground.
Booking Conditions:
- Please advise hotel pick up/drop off information at time of booking.
- The tour may be closed, or itinerary changed due to the wet season where conditions may close roads and access to the caves.
- Billy Tea Safaris reserves the right to alter or cancel itineraries due to weather conditions, flooding or other factors beyond the control of the operator, no refund will be given in these circumstances or in the event of any delay.
Activity Level:
- Sections of the tour involve short walks in warm conditions on uneven ground, as well as some stairs without handrails. A basic level of mobility and fitness is required.
Not Available
