Cairns to Chillagoe: Caves, Wallabies & Outback Pub Lunch

Summary

Outback caves ancient coral wallabies and a real bush pub lunch

You’ll leave Cairns behind for a day trip into real Outback country: sipping strong coffee at Skybury Plantation, exploring ancient Chillagoe Caves with a local ranger, sharing lunch in an Aussie pub, and meeting wild rock wallabies at Granite Gorge. There’s something quietly moving about touching limestone older than memory or hearing Dreamtime stories echo off cave walls — it stays with you.

What’s the experience like?

I didn’t expect the drive out of Cairns to feel like such a jump — one minute it’s all palm trees and that sticky coastal air, then suddenly we’re bumping along red dirt roads with the windows down, dust swirling in behind us. Our guide, Mick (who somehow knows every bird by its call), started pointing out old mining towns as we crossed the Great Dividing Range. We stopped for morning tea at Skybury Plantation — I’ll be honest, their coffee was strong enough to wake up a wombat. The breeze smelled like sweet fruit and roasted beans, which was oddly comforting this far from home.

The Chillagoe Caves themselves were nothing like I pictured. You squeeze through these cool stone passages while the ranger tells you about ancient reefs and Dreamtime stories — I kept running my hands along the walls just to feel how smooth they are in places. There’s this moment where everyone goes quiet except for a drip somewhere deep inside; even Mick stopped talking (which is saying something). Afterward we wandered over to see the old copper smelter ruins — those chimneys look almost out of place against all that open sky.

Lunch was at a proper Outback pub in Chillagoe town. It’s not fancy but there’s something about sitting with a cold drink and swapping stories with locals that makes you forget how far you’ve come. Someone played Slim Dusty on the jukebox — maybe too loud but nobody seemed to mind. On the way back, we stopped at Granite Gorge. The rock wallabies there are smaller than I thought, with these twitchy little noses; one let me feed it right from my hand (I’m still grinning thinking about it). The sun was already dropping low when we left, painting everything gold and making me wish we could linger just a bit longer.

Step-by-step itinerary

Day 1 — Explore Chillagoe Caves and Outback

• Pick up from Cairns area
• Enjoy morning tea at Skybury Plantation
• Tour Chillagoe-Mungana Caves with guide
• Visit Chillagoe copper smelters remains
• See Balancing Rock and Aboriginal Rock Art
• Have lunch at Chillagoe Outback Pub
• Walk Granite Gorge Nature Park and see wildlife

Top questions

How long does the Chillagoe Caves & Outback day trip from Cairns take?

The tour lasts a full day, including travel time from Cairns and all stops.

Is hotel pickup included for the Chillagoe Caves tour?

Yes, return transfers from Cairns hotels are included; Port Douglas & Northern Beaches pickups cost extra.

What do you see on this day trip from Cairns?

You visit Skybury Coffee Plantation for morning tea, explore Chillagoe Caves with a local ranger, see copper smelter ruins and Aboriginal rock art, have lunch at an Outback pub in Chillagoe town, and meet rock wallabies at Granite Gorge.

Are meals included on the Chillagoe day tour?

Morning tea at Skybury Plantation and lunch at an Aussie pub in Chillagoe are both included.

Is this tour suitable for people with limited mobility?

No; uneven terrain and steps in the caves require moderate fitness and closed-toe shoes.

Can I feed the rock wallabies at Granite Gorge?

Yes, feeding rock wallabies is part of the experience at Granite Gorge Nature Park.

Who leads the cave tour part of this trip?

A local ranger guides you through the Chillagoe-Mungana Caves.

What’s included

Your day includes hotel pickup from Cairns (with optional transfer from Port Douglas or Northern Beaches), morning tea with fresh coffee or tea and sweet treats at Skybury Plantation, guided entry into Chillagoe-Mungana Caves National Park led by a local ranger, time exploring copper smelter ruins and Aboriginal rock art sites near Balancing Rock, lunch at an authentic Outback pub in Chillagoe town (dietary needs can be accommodated), plus entry to Granite Gorge Nature Park where you can meet endangered rock wallabies before returning in comfort by 4WD vehicle.