Join us as we embark on the only full day outback tour from Cairns! Includes Chillagoe Caves, Aboriginal Rock Art, Granite Gorge, Wallabies, Skybury Cafe, Outback Pub and more!
Explore the Chillagoe Caves, Granite Gorge and other highlights of Tropical North Queensland on this full-day tour from Cairns.
Days
- 1 day
Group size
- Max 21
Start / finish
- Cairns / Cairns
Return
- See itinerary for details
Transport
- A custom-built luxury 4WD with an accredited guide, with courtesy pick-up and drop-off at your Cairns accommodation. Port Douglas pick-ups cost extra.
Meals
- Morning tea at the coffee plantation with scones, jam and cream and tropical fruit, then an outback lunch at the Chillagoe pub.
Route
Included experiences
- Chillagoe-Mungana Caves — a private ranger-guided walk through limestone laid down as coral reef 400 million years ago
- Chillagoe Smelter Ruins — the copper smelter chimneys and what it was like to work there
- Chillagoe's 100 year old pub — an outback lunch, with a marble and Aboriginal art gift shop in town
- Balancing Rock — the photo stop out on the western plains
- Aboriginal rock art — and the Dreamtime stories behind it
- Granite Gorge National Park — rock wallabies up close, with time to explore
- Skybury Coffee Plantation — morning tea on the balcony at Mareeba
- The drive out — wallabies and emus, then paw paw, lychee and mango farms before the Great Divide
Pictures / Videos
Reviews
4.9
Based on 122 reviews
Verified from
Real reviews from travellers who've done this tour, gathered from around the web and paraphrased.
AI summary of 122 reviews
Travellers consistently praise the knowledgeable, friendly and often humorous guides, who share detailed commentary on the region's history, geology, flora, fauna and Aboriginal culture, and who take care to manage expectations and keep the group comfortable. The most frequently mentioned highlights are the Chillagoe caves, feeding the rock wallabies at Granite Gorge, and other stops including the coffee and scones morning tea, the pub lunch, Balancing Rock and the old mining sites, with reviewers noting good value and well-organised full days. Many also comment on the vehicles, which are generally described as clean and air-conditioned. Reviewers of the company's Daintree and Cape Tribulation tours similarly commend the guides, the river cruise, lunch and the ice cream stop. The most common caveat is the long amount of driving with limited commentary on some drives, and several note bumpy roads, occasional roadwork delays, and feeling somewhat rushed at food or swimming stops.
How we collect and publish reviews
Where they come from. Our reviews are gathered from independent review sites and from guests who share feedback with us directly after their trip. They come from people who have actually travelled on the tour.
Why some are edited. Many of our guests travel in their second or third language. Where a review is hard to read, we lightly edit spelling, grammar and punctuation, or paraphrase a sentence for clarity. We never change the rating, the meaning or the sentiment, and we never write a review on a guest's behalf.
Reading the originals. Reviews sourced from public review sites appear there in their original form, and can be read in full at their original source at any time.
“Cairns Inland trip”
An excellent day tour — morning tea at Skybury in Mareeba, then the outback drive to Chillagoe for a tour of the caves (much bigger than we expected) and Balancing Rock, lunch at the Chillagoe pub, and a visit to Granite Gorge. Our guide Michael was a wealth of knowledge, and we'd never have experienced these places without Billy Tea. A long day, but well worth it and great value.
“Highly recommended!”
A great day out with as many experiences as they can realistically fit in. Our driver Rohan was extremely knowledgeable with great commentary all day. As Aussies we enjoyed every aspect, and overseas visitors won't be disappointed — it's a great way to see a different part of Australia beyond the more common rainforest tours. The Chillagoe caves are well worth visiting. It's a long day, but Rohan never made us feel rushed and we didn't miss anything from the itinerary. Well done Billy Tea Safaris.
“Good to see but a lot of driving”
The caves were amazing to see and very interesting. We had a great stop on the way home where we could hold animals and feed wallabies which I loved. Be aware that the day involves a lot of driving (think it was around 3 hours there and back). There's not really any commentary or engagement during the drive.
“A long day, but is well worth the time!”
Loved our guide + driver Rowan! He has always kept us informed of whats going to happen when and managed our expectations. He is very knowledgeable and shared a lot of info in a fun way while he was driving. Also a very caring person.
The tour itself is absoutely content rich - from caves to smelter site to rock wallabies - you have the outback of cairns packed in one day.
A nice escape from the humid coastline and tourist packed city center.
A well-run tour company. We've done the Daintree, Chillagoe and Down Under Dive trips with them — great staff, well-organised activities, decent food and enough time at each stop.
“BEAUTIFUL, I hope you go, it is so worth it”
This is a must! James had so much knowledge about so many things! He told us so much I took notes on my phone. We actually saw a male Cassowarie with his 2 babies... BEAUTIFUL, I hope you go, it is so worth it
I joined the Outback Chillagoe tour and it was one of the most interesting experiences of my stay in North Queensland. The guide was excellent — talkative, engaging and full of knowledge, clearly loving what he does. I loved the contrast between lush, tropical Cairns and the red, dry outback: in a few hours you go from rainforest to open plains, termite mounds and ancient limestone caves. A long day, but absolutely worth it — a chance to see another, raw and authentic side of Queensland.
“A wonderful day in the rainforest.”
A super day.
Our guide, Rowan, was very informative and gave the perfect level of commentary. Cape Tribulation was wonderful, the river cruise was great and the swimming in the creek after a nice lunch was so refreshing.
Great to see a saltie as well.
“Nature rich excursion guided by knowledable locals”
Billy Tea Safaris offered a well-structured, enriching, and scenic rainforest experience that delivered great value for a full-day outing. Starting with the trip down Raintree River to meet Scarface the Croc to a refreshing dip in the creek in the forest before lunch. If you're after a nature-rich excursion guided by knowledgeable locals—with a mix of adventure, wildlife, and scenery—this tour is a solid pick.
Our guide Dan made it a great day and was always around to answer any questions we had on the day.
An awesome day with Billy Tea Safaris — really well put together and running smoothly, with a comfy air-conditioned 4WD for the long drives. Our guide Rohan was friendly and full of knowledge about the history, wildlife and Aboriginal culture, and even gave us spot-on tips for Cairns. Highlights were the Chillagoe Caves and feeding the adorable rock wallabies at Granite Gorge. A unique way to see the diversity of Far North Queensland without feeling rushed — highly recommend.
“Outstanding tour”
Rowan was absolutely wonderful. This tour heads into the outback with stops at Chillagoe Caves and an old mining site, and his enthusiasm and love of what he does made it top-notch. The caves were amazing and the rock wallabies were so cute — definitely worth it. I wish I could book all my tours with him.
“A Must Do in Cairns”
The best trip ever with superstar host Jeremy. We drove a long way and we had a great commentary from Jeremy. He was superb and made the day for me. We explored the rain forests went swimming, seeing a croc to two and had a wonderful lunch. Really great day out.
“Life is nature ”
Fantastic day out. The rainforest was spectacular. Our guide was very friendly and informative. Even bought us ice cream. 4 scoops !
“Nature rich excursion guided by knowledable locals”
Billy Tea Safaris offered us a well-structured, enriching, and scenic rainforest experience that delivered great value for a full-day outing. Starting with a trip down the Daintree river where we met Scarface the Croc to a refreshing swim in the creek before lunch. If you're after a nature-rich excursion guided by knowledgeable locals—with a mix of adventure, wildlife, and scenery—this tour is a solid pick. Our driver Dan was very knowledgable and made the day more interesting.
“Informative Taste of Nature”
The nice thing about this tour is also the sad part - you really only get a taste of the places you visit. So, if you hate being in the Daintree rainforest walk, no worries! It's only a short walk and very easy with no hiking. However, if you love something like swimming in the river after lunch (don't get the fish, it's just meh), you only have a very short time for it. I loved our tour guide, but the few others we ran into seemed just as fun/knowledgeable as AJ, who was extremely passionate about the topics covered. It was lovely getting a local expert's insight to things like crocs, aboriginal practices, and modern issues. Just remember it's a lot of driving, but your guide can probably talk the whole way if you want ;)
“Great, informative, good value tour of the Daintree”
Great tour. Our tour operator, Graham was informative, personable and loved a joke. The small group was good. Would recommend to anyone wanting to travel up to the Daintree.
“Good guide n good lunch”
Our guide Graeme was an experienced guide and knows lots of stuff about the fauna and flora of the area.
His sense of humour also helps in the long journey. My trip includes lunch and the quality of lunch was also very good.
“Great trip.”
Definitely recommend this trip. Beautiful scenery. Great stops throughout the day. Comfortable bus ride. Well worth it.
“A great taste of the Daintree”
Our tour guide James was great, he made an effort to be friendly and informative and made the whole day fun. The river boat pilot was great also, just a shame we didn't see any crocs, but that's nature. The food for lunch at On The Turps was really lovely and the portion sizes great. It would have been nice to have a little more time to swim after lunch. The ice cream/sorbet stop was very tasty. Overall a really great day.
“Awesome, beautiful scenery, great friendly tour guide”
Daniel was our tour guide for the day, he was very polite and patient with our group. Daniel was very informative during the whole day and engaged with each person in the group. Daintree rainforest and Cape Tribulation was awesome the scenery was beautiful and it was a good day.
The Chillagoe Caves tour was a good way to see the countryside if you're not from the area, and the wallabies were a highlight. A few tips: bring extra water (limited chances to buy any in the first half of the day), be prepared for a bumpy ride on rough roads, and maybe bring earbuds as there isn't much commentary while driving. It's hot and dry, so pack sunscreen. We felt a little rushed at the food stops, but the food and drinks were good and the guides were friendly.
“What a great day out!”
On-time pick-up, and AJ was a great, knowledgeable guide. The first stop for coffee and scones was excellent and in a lovely setting, the caves were amazing with a knowledgeable local guide, and we also saw Balancing Rock and Aboriginal rock art. A pub lunch, a stop at an old pub, and feeding the wallabies at Granite Gorge rounded out a great day, with a comfortable, air-conditioned truck. Thanks AJ.
“An enjoyable day tour.”
An interesting and enjoyable day, though I'd have liked a little time at the smelting plant, as the ruins looked worth exploring. The caves, Balancing Rock and the rock wallabies at the end were all good stops, and our guide Daniel was great with his commentary.
“A fantastic day out!”
Our guide, Rohan, was excellent - very interesting and well informed giving us so much background relating to history, geography, nature etc. He also kept us informed as to what was happening when and where.
The structure of the day was perfect and we enjoyed all of it - the ice cream, the lunch, the rainforest walk, the trip to the beach and the Daintree River Cruise.
Travel was very comfortable.
“Really enjoyable day, fantastic guide”
An amazing experience, made so
much better by the our driver and guide Andrew, whose passion and knowledge made the rainforest come to life.
“Well worth it!”
Even though it rained off and on it still was a great tour. My tour guide “G” was outstanding. Very knowledgeable about plants, insects and everything else.
I did the Chillagoe Caves, Granite Gorge and Aboriginal rock art tour. Daniel was informative, an excellent driver, and made sure my hotel transfer was on time. Really enjoyed it.
“Once in a lifetime experience”
The tour of a lifetime! Ro's commentary and guidance was out of the world, the storytelling around Daintree was captivating and informative. He took care of us really well! Would recommend everyone to take this tour and enjoy the beauty of the Daintree Rainforest and Cape Tribulation with Billy Tea Safaris (jackpot if you get Ro!)
“Enjoyable Rainforest Experience”
A great experience in the rain forest. Every event throughout the day was well worth it. Thanks to Daniel for being passionate and knowledgeable about the area. Really enjoyed the daylong trip even though the seats in the bus were less than desirable!
“Very good tour but...”
The tour had many good features. We visited many interesting and beautiful places. The driver/guide was highly experienced and knowledgeable. The lunch, snacks and drinks were very good. There was, however, a significant problem with the vehicle we spent so many hours in. It was a 4WD off-road 20 seat truck but we never left the bitumen. The vehicle rode OK but was excessively noisy, with a loud drone at highway speed, making it difficult to hear the driver's PA commentary. It significantly detracted from an otherwise well planned and executed tour.
“A lovely tour of Daintree”
I enjoyed this educational and informative tour to the Daintree Forest. We hit all the places listed on the itinerary. We saw crocodiles ( Scarface and Charlotte ) resting on the river bank and cassowaries on road site.
We learned about native plants/ palm trees during the paved rainforest walk.
The views from cape of tribulations and Mount Alexandra look out were breathtaking.
In the morning, we had coffee/tea with biscuits. As for lunch, there was an extensive menu. I didn’t have any diet restrictions. Last stop was the Daintree Forest Ice cream company. The ice cream is made from locally grown fruits. That was already prepared: wattleseed, yellow zapote, coconut and passion fruit.
Thank you, Daniel for being an awesome tour guide!
“A great day.”
A most enjoyable full day. Gorgeous scenery - ocean views on the drive up, then rainforest. Our guide, Rohan, provided us with a wealth of information about the area including the colonial and natural histories. Well timed breaks for morning tea, lunch and ice cream were most welcome.
“Excellent Tour of Daintree Rainforest and Cape Tribulation”
Excellent tour through the Daintree Rainforest to Cape Tribulation. Gavin, our driver and guide presented a tour that was informative with respect to the biological and cultural significance of the area. We also enjoyed a delicious lunch at the Heritage Lodge and a very generous helping of Daintree Ice Cream Company products. The full day (7am to 6pm) tour was well planned and smoothly executed.
“The best day tour in the daintree rainforest !”
I did the 1 day tour in the Daintree forest and Cape tribulation, the tour guide Andrew was very knowledgeable and we had great time.
The crocodile cruise was the highlight of the day.
I would definitely recommend this tour
“Cassowary, Crocs, Critters and sCenery.”
We had an amazing day. Got to experience the 4 C's of the Daintree, Cassowary, Crocs, Critters and sCenery. Our guide Graeme was very knowledgeable and kept us informed throughout the trip about relevant geographical, historical and flora and fauna details. I think he needs to update his joke book though (LOL).
“Perfect day out”
Gr8 Tour,Andrew was knowledgeable and helpful.Lunch @ Heritage lodge Daintree was delicious. Ice cream was yummy.Thx Billy Tea safari. Five
“Wonderful introduction into the Wet tropics”
What an excellent day my husband and I had with our informative , chatty and Aussie tour /driver AJ ! Great sense of humour and inclusive of all that travelled on this tour from different parts of Australia and around the world.
We were so fortunate to see a cassowary cross the road in front of our vehicle during this tour ! Something I have sought out for some time and many trips to far north Queensland.
Our lunch at Heritage Lodge in the Daintree was wonderful , the location ideal and our little walks through boardwalks and information shred with us by AJ was appreciated and gave us an insight into this amazing part of Australia.
The cruise on the Daintree river to go crocodile spotting was a highlight when we not only saw a small adult crocodile but a baby as well from a known nest on the riverbank.
Daintree tea tasting , exceptional icecream and good company were other highlights. The tour group was small, numbering about 15 with 2 very well behaved children made the day easier.We did have a delay on the return journey due to river ferry delays but that was entirely independent of the tour operator. I would recommend this tour to give an introduction into this part of Australia and it's fascinating ecosystem .
“A great day out in the rainforest.”
This was an amazing day. Our guide,G, was very informative and professional. He pointed out many things we had have missed had he not been there. Finishing the day with Daintree ice cream was great.
“Very enjoyable tour”
TY Ro it was a very enjoyable day, everything went wonderfully, and you included just the right number of pee breaks
Your knowledge was great and it was interesting listening to you!
We have nothing but praise for Ro and this Cape Tribulation tour.
Regards
“A fantastic taste of Australia’s wild tropical north!”
Great rainforest, beach and wilderness experience in a small group with Andrew who is a very knowledgeable guide. It is a long-ish day but well worth it to be surrounded by incredible rainforest, spying swimming and lazing crocs, and seeing deserted beaches. We also sampled local tea, 4 flavours of local ice cream, and had a sumptuous lunch. I would definitely recommend this tour.
“A Great Day Out!”
The guide Andy was knowledgeable, the area is stunning. Even all the roadworks couldn’t detract from a great day. The Daintree River boat guide did everything to find a crocodile, which he did. The boardwalk tour was excellent. The lunch under the trees was very good. We even got to see a Cassowary by the road. The stop for an afternoon ice cream treat was a fitting end to the day.
“Itinerary and guide at the top”
Spectacular excursion with Ronnie. The itinerary is well organized, the explanations are clear, the guide has a sensational knowledge of the place and a top pedagogy. We were even able to see a cassowarie and its young for 4-5 minutes. To do absolutely! And thanks to Ronnie!
“no dramas”
Yeah nah yeah, people froth over Daintree National Park and to be fair, it’s probably one of the best up that way. The missus was loving it, so I was in the good books. Kids were happy, no dramas, and we wrapped it up with an easy feed and the missus and I had a couple drinks after. Can’t complain, was a good day out.
“Excellent”
Me and my girlfriend came up to Cairns from Sydney and decided to go on Billy Tea Safaris tour of the Daintree/Cape Tribulation. The tour was enjoyable, and we saw many animals and plants. James the guide was incredibly friendly and informative throughout the whole journey. We were grateful that we had such a great guide and will definitely book with James as our guide again the next time we come back.
“Exciting day in Raintree Rainforest”
It was very interesting and rewarding and we are very pleased. Our driver/guide James was very generous with information.
Due to a roadwork we were standing for about 30 minutes which resulted in it being too stressful at the various stops, barely had time to go to the toilet and the rainforest walk felt like we rushed through and that you did not have time to look at details.
If possible, you might want to extend the time to take into account such unforeseen events. Otherwise, we are very satisfied.
“Great trip”
A great trip with very knowledgeable tour guides, both on the bus and on the boat. You can learn a lot but it’s still a relaxed day
“Great day out, creeks b crocs”
We had a great day out with Rowan r guide. He was so informative and knew so much about the whole adventure. Lunch was great and the ice cream stop n afternoon tea stop was much appreciated. We understood about the roads cos of.the cyclone which wasnt a bother at all. Its one of those things and 2 c the devastation that it did and what the people r doing to.fix it. Is brilliant. Thanks for a fab day out. Long but fab
We did two tours and were happy with both. On the first day our guide Mark took us to the limestone caves, the copper smelter pots and Granite Gorge — very informative and a great guide. The second day was the Daintree with Graeme, who pointed out camouflaged animals I'd never have spotted and shared plenty of knowledge on the drive. I liked how they use local establishments for meals; very well organised and thoroughly enjoyable. Would book again.
“A time to relax, breathe and enjoy.”
Rowan was an excellent guide, sharing interesting, informative commentary and taking great care of everyone. I loved the quiet of this tour — time to think and relax away from the crowds. The caves were well worth seeing, as were the Atherton Tablelands with their different terrain. An excellent tour.
“Informative little insights into the flora and fauna of the rain”
Due to the distance and construction sites we had a tight schedule, which our driver Daniel paid attention to friendly but definitely. He was also very helpful. On the botanical tour and during the trip we received a lot of detailed explanations and information from him. The boatmaster showed us unerring places where crocodiles could be expected and seen.
The food in the forest had a good atmosphere, the number of people in the 'room' was not too large.
A successful day trip.
“Full day of fun for all ages”
The tour offered a full experience of what the Daintree region has to offer, from the boat tour to see crocodiles to a pleasant walk through the forest and fresh water creeks.
The tour is suitable for all ages, really inclusive and enjoyable. The walking is minimal and at a pace where everyone can keep up, and the swimming at the freshwater creek is optional. The lunch was very nice too!
The travelling time is generally quite long between stops, so you do spend alot of time on the bus. If you're someone who wants more walking and a more active experience, this might not be your cup of tea.
“Very good trip to Daintree”
Very well organised. Daintree is quite far from Cairns - more than 2 hours; so be prepared for a long drive in a bus. The spots are all good. Very little wildlife to see - just crocs. The highlight was the creek - a refreshing experience. Lunch was ok. The icecream on the way back is also good. It rains quite frequently; so do carry an umbrella or poncho.
“Dash through the Daintree”
Wonderful day trip to the Daintree.
The road conditions were not optimal and made for a very bumpy ride, which can be hard on people with back or neck issues, or people prone to car sickness.
However, the river cruise alone was well worth it!
The stops at the different paces were fairly short. It would have been nice if the lunch stop (where it was possible to swim in the river) had been 15-30 minutes longer.
Otherwise a great trip.
“Best way to experience the Daintree!!!”
An amazing full day experiencing the Daintree and Cape Tribulation. Cruise on the Daintree River, a definite highlight. Saw all the local crocs including Scar Face. Then travelling to the northern side of the river, where Andy took us on a walk within the rainforest. His knowledge of the local animal and plant life was extraordinary. Highly recommend, you won’t be disappointed.
“The walk through the rainforest and the related commentary!”
Kel was our driver/tour guide and she was fantastic. Her knowledge of the rainforest made the tour so much better.. we drank the local tea and had some crackers before the cruise. The cruise captain also did a great commentary. The tour is well worth the price.
“Awesome Day Out in Nature with a Great Guide!”
We had an amazing day!
We saw many crocodiles and all the stops along the way were really interesting. The food and refreshments included in the tour were absolutely delicious! Our driver Mark was a very funny guy and shared lots of great stories and facts about the sights and Australia in general. Highly recommended!
“Fabulous Daintree!”
Amazing full day tour. Very comprehensive. A bit of a long drive from Cairns so we ended up exhausted at the end of the day but very happy. Our guide Daniel was amazing. Very nice and friendly, patient and knowledgeable! All in all a great tour!
“Don’t miss this tour of the Daintree Rainforest and Cape Tribula”
The tour was a full day of beautiful scenery, wild animals, continuous commentary regarding the surroundings, and wonderful snacks. Our tour guide, James, is so knowledgeable of the area, since he grew up here. He kept us informed and laughing throughout the day. Our guide on the boat was fantastic too. We saw crocs, cassowaries, spiders and wallabies on the trip. We had treats throughout the day (tea and biscuits; a wonderful lunch with options for all diets; and delicious ice cream at the end). James taught us so much about the ecosystems of the rainforest and the wetlands, explaining how they work together. He pointed out the many different plants and educated us on them. James was a wonderful guide and kept us on schedule without us feeling rushed. It was so nice to be able to just enjoy the trip, as the tour has arranged everything for us and we got to skip lines and avoid crowds. I highly recommend Billy Tea’s Safaris for this tour. It really is the best.
“Rockstar Rowan!”
We took the Daintree day tour and were incredibly fortunate to have had Rowan (Ro) as our group’s tour guide.
The mini van was comfortable, lunch was delicious and the tour itself was incredibly well planned and detailed.
We, our two teenagers and the rest of the folks on the tour all had an absolute blast which was very much down to Ro being such a wonderful tour guide and friend!
“Interesting trip”
This tour was interesting and beautiful. Ro was very knowledgeable and friendly. The tour included numerous stops and generous snacks and lunch. There’s so much to see and learn about in the rainforest. On the downside, the bus was not very comfortable and construction delays were frustrating.
“Daintree with James”
Did Daintree tour with James. Very informative and lots to see. Felt lunch and swim were rushed but overall great. Bus aircon was either too hit or too cold. Sadly roadworks beyond control. Ice cream stop great. Still would recommend
“A lot of car time”
A well-planned trip — you go into a cave system, take a quick hike to a balancing rock, and interact with wild wallabies, with great breakfast and lunch. It is about five hours in the car, though, with some long stints — more time in the vehicle than not — so I'm not sure I'd book it again knowing that. Our guide was very nice and the vehicle was clean and roomy.
“Great day following the Wheelbarrow Way to Chillagoe.”
A long and enjoyable day in a comfortable small coach. Every stop was a pleasure — coffee, the caves, lunch in Chillagoe and finally Granite Gorge. Mark is clearly very knowledgeable about the history, flora and fauna (it'd be great if he shared even more on the journey). Value for money.
“Cave, wallabies, and Excellent professional driver/guide for our”
Our driver gave a thorough, detailed background on northern Queensland during the drive into the outback, making the trip both educational and interesting. The wallaby feeding was very special and great fun for our child.
“Experience the Outback!”
We really felt like we experienced the outback! A nice mix of activities — the caves (we saw bats, toads and spiders), rock art and hikes, and an authentic Aussie pub. Our favourite was the stop to visit the rock wallabies.
“For something a bit different”
A great experience to round out other Cairns tours. We did a caves tour, saw historical and environmental landmarks and Aboriginal rock paintings, and fed the gorgeous little Mareeba rock wallabies. Well worth the long day, and Rohan was a fantastic guide and driver.
My partner and I did the Cairns two-day Outback Chillagoe Caves and Daintree Rainforest tour and it was everything we expected and more. Both our guides, Mike and Graham, were organised, helpful and informative. They're jam-packed days but worth every cent — highly recommend to anyone considering Billy Tea Safaris.
“Give Gavin a pay rise as he’s so incredible at bringing the Rain”
What a brilliant day. Gavin was an incredible tour guide and I had an amazing day learning from him! His passion for the rainforest and knowledge was incredible and it really brought the history and vibrancy of the rainforest to life!! The stops were well planned, a great mixture of things with the ice cream and just the most stunning location. This has been the best day in Australia for me!
“Graeme: Thanks for being the guide for the day…”
Graeme was an excellent guide and an operator. You can’t expect anything more. If there is a better word than ‘ Fantastic’ that is the word I would like to use . Graeme also liked to be called as ‘G’ , thank you from me and all my family….
We did the Chillagoe caves and outback full-day tour and would definitely recommend it. Mike was a fantastic guide — a really lovely guy who provided brilliant commentary all day. A great day out.
James was a delightful tour guide — very informative and funny too. We really enjoyed the Chillagoe Caves and the local guide there, as well as the granite boulders and feeding the wallabies. Highly recommend.
“Ok Cave; Beautiful country side; great guides”
The caves themselves aren't spectacular, but Billy Tea's guide Mike and the park ranger who led us through were great — knowledgeable and personable. The trip is a chance to see beautiful country and learn about the region's life zones and the history of its people.
“Wonderful day in Chillagoe!!!”
The Skybury Cafe morning tea was an unexpected, refreshing treat — excellent coffee and amazing scones with papaya syrup and fresh cream. The ranger at the caves was very informative and the caves were interesting and easy to walk (each person got their own torch). Balancing Rock was a bit of a climb but doable, and we saw some Aboriginal art and guinea fowl. Lunch at the Chillagoe pub was very good, and the visit to the incredibly cute rock wallabies was an amazing close-up highlight and a perfect end to the day.
“Great trip but long travel times”
Overall a great trip, with our friendly, informative guide Rowan. The coffee plantation stop was really just a cafe stop for very good coffee and scones with a nice view. The caves were very interesting with lots of unusually active bats (and big huntsman spiders — arachnophobes beware!). The pub lunch was basic but filling with friendly staff, the balancing-rock walk was cool but short, and the wallabies were cute. I've given four stars because there's a lot of bus time relative to activities — unavoidable to reach the outback — so set your expectations, though Rowan made the drive as interesting as possible.
“Must do while in Cairns!”
Such a great tour! Every stop to and from the caves was excellent. Don't miss this outback adventure with a touch of history, a splash of coffee and a cuddle with a wallaby!
We did the 2-day Chillagoe and Daintree tours and both were great. We saw so many fascinating plants and animals, and both guides were knowledgeable — we learned a lot about what makes North Queensland so unique. We'd definitely recommend Billy Tea Safaris to anyone visiting the region.
“Great trip to Daintree Rainforest and Cape Tribulation!”
An absolutely fantastic day all round! The ice cream was a personal favourite, as I was not expecting it to be so delicious! All locally grown fruits and incredibly unique flavours.
The drives along the coast and through the rainforest areas were spectacular and our guide Andy had a lot of knowledge about the Daintree Rainforest that he shared with us all. I would also like to thank Daniel for providing great conversation on the journey back from Cape Tribulation and helping me get to the airport in time for my flight. I don’t know if he will see this, but I am very grateful and would love for him to know.
This is a fantastic tour and absolutely worth the money. I can’t wait to bring a friend next time I’m in Cairns!
“Yes yes yes and some more yes”
What an incredible experience! I arrived in Australia the day before and this tour left me speechless — multiple ecosystems, crazy landscapes, awesome wildlife and an incredible cave full of bats (I'm a bat fanatic!). It's the wet season and it rained only briefly — no big deal in the tropics. Travelling solo, I loved it; our guide was incredible and made it so much fun, taking the time to point out things he knew a nature lover would appreciate. The wallaby experience at the end is amazing — you get to pet them! Perfect for the nature-loving adventurer.
“A Great Experience”
A fantastic tour — the guide has a ton of information and really mixes things up with a different vibe from the other Cairns activities. The caves were fun to explore, with lots of wildlife, fun dining, a great coffee stop and gorgeous views. The truck is necessary for the harder-to-reach areas but it's a bumpy ride, so a heads-up for anyone with back, neck or joint issues, especially at the back.
“Good day-long activity (except the captive wildlife at the end)”
The tour is mostly very good, and Mike was a great guide and driver. My only reason for four stars is personal preference — a dislike of captive wildlife — as the stop at Granite Gorge Nature Park felt a little like a tourist trap after such a great day outdoors. Everything else was pretty amazing.
Rowan was professional and informative, giving a clear breakdown of the itinerary and making sure everyone was comfortable. The tour was exceptional, covering so many areas in one day — the caves were spectacular, as was the Indigenous rock art, and the included morning tea and lunch were delicious. If you want to see more of the outer Cairns regions and experience the Australian outback, I highly recommend this tour, with Rowan as guide.
“Chillagoe Caves”
A long trip, but the driver stopped at various places along the way — at one coffee stop he even showed us a snake curled up in a toilet, which we all enjoyed. The caves were good, and then we saw the kangaroos, which was very exciting. A very knowledgeable driver.
“Highly recommend this tour company!”
wonderful experience with a guide who really knew his stuff! Lots of driving to get out to the caves but that was expected. Lunch was delicious and there were lots of options that are covered by your trip cost. Loved granite gorge and the wallabies!
“The chance to see the outback”
Great out and back trip. Lots to see. This gave us a chance to see what I had expected to see from Australia. The coast is lovely. In this trip you drove through some great country, saw agriculture, looked at cute wallabies. Loved this outing.
“Great.”
Our guide Roan was great, making everyone feel welcome like family. Great information, good locations and very professional. Thanks for a great day and the tips for the days ahead.
“A very good use of a day.”
It was a long day. It was a fantastic day. Rowan, to be known as Row henceforth, collected us spot on time, made easy small talk on arrival. We boarded, and his easygoing friendly patter continued as we finished collecting the full tour complement.
He was clear in setting expectations for the length of the drive, and then set about driving and sharing relevant local cultural, political, and geomorphological history on the way to a very pleasant cup of coffee.
“Fantastic trip !!!”
We had a great trip, AJ was great !!!
A little bit annoyed because yesterday we got a message from your company about a 6:30 pickup, when in fact AJ came at 7AM (just as scheduled during previous communications and emails), not his fault!!! and as a result of that we missed breakfast.
“awesome trip!”
Had an amazing day. It was great to see the western side of the range. A whole new perspective. AJ was very knowledgeable.
The tour was well catered and the experiences were really interesting. A very nice balance.
“Long but interesting day.”
An enjoyable long day. Gavin was a great, informative guide, and the coach was clean (couldn't adjust the AC vent, but no big deal). The caves were interesting, the rock wallabies active and friendly if you had food, and we even got to hold a snake and pet lizards. Tea and lunch were very good.
“Garath was great”
Garath was amazing and a big nature nerd — it was fun hearing all his wildlife facts, and he had us laughing most of the trip. Tip: for a good spot, skip the shuttle and go to the main pick-up and drop-off zone.
“Amazing day on the Chillagoe Outback trip, with a bunch of extra”
The tour started with a prompt 06:50 hotel pick-up and our guide Gavin, who was extremely knowledgeable and funny. On the way he explained the landscape and even surprised us with a stop by a golf course full of wild kangaroos — a perfect start. Morning tea at a lovely spot came with scones, jam and cream, then the old mining town, the caves and copper smelter (with Gavin sharing the town's history), Balancing Rock, a good lunch, and the historic silver train. The day ended at Granite Gorge feeding the cute, friendly rock wallabies — my son got the perfect selfie. We got back right on time, and I wouldn't have changed a thing. An amazing trip.
I spent two days with Gavin on the outback and Daintree tours and had an amazing time. The tours are well-organised and interesting, and above all Gavin was fascinating, genuinely passionate and easy-going, showing us all the beauty of Australia. We even saw Molly the cassowary, which was a deep wish of mine. Thank you Gavin!
The tour with Rowen as guide was impressive, varied and extremely interesting. He made it knowledgeable while also reading our needs and breaking the ice, with an insightful answer to every question and plenty of humour. As a solo traveller I quickly felt immersed in the world and history of Chillagoe and the Australian bush, and Rowen always explained the next steps clearly so we knew what was coming. A really wonderful experience I can only recommend.
“The Best Day Out”
We did the one-day Chillagoe tour with Palm Cove pick-up, and the transfer driver was excellent — a great start. Our tour leader Gavin was fantastic, full of stories for our multicultural group, and his passion for the environment showed when he stopped to move an injured python off the highway — our own 'Crocodile Dundee' in action. The cave tour leader was very knowledgeable, the cave fascinating, and the outback-pub lunch really good. Our only disappointment was the return driver to Palm Cove, whose service didn't match the excellent start. Well worth the cost.
“Excellent day tour”
We did the Chillagoe outback tour and it was an excellent day. Our guide Gavin was very knowledgeable and shared a wealth of insight, taking us to places we'd never reach on our own. It's a long day, and I was reluctant about the final stop at Granite Gorge — but it was magical, with all the tiny rock wallabies so close. Outstanding value; highly recommend this company.
“Fun, knowledge and beautiful scenery”
The tour with Rowen as guide was impressive, varied and extremely interesting. He made it knowledgeable while reading our needs and breaking the ice quickly, with a relaxed, pleasant atmosphere throughout and an insightful answer to every question. As a solo traveller I quickly felt immersed in Chillagoe and the Australian bush, and Rowen always kept the route clear so we knew what was next. A really great experience — and I managed the walking despite an old foot injury (non-slip shoes with a good sole are important).
“Best tour ever”
A fantastic tour — we saw some cool caves and rock wallabies, and the guide was informative and fun. We learned a lot and had an amazing lunch at a lovely outback pub.
“Awesome!”
A great trip! Mark was a great guide, and we saw the caves, the bush outback and local stops including wallabies. Note this is genuinely the bush outback (still grass and trees), not flat barren desert. We really enjoyed it.
“highly recommend outback tour”
I did the Chillagoe Caves and Outback tour and I literally had the best day of my life! The tour was well organized with delicious brekkie and lunch. The tour guide explained everything and was really enthusiastic and could answer every question. I personally loved seeing the outback and desert as well as the caves, feeding and petting wallabies, and seeing real kangaroos! It was definitely worth every dollar. I can highly recommend this tour!
“A fun day out of Cairns seeing lots of diverse sites”
We had a really fun day with Billy Tea Safaris on the Chillagoe Caves and Outback tour. Our guide (Gavin) was great. We made several interesting stops during the day which really added to the enjoyment. Gavin shared lots of fun information along the way and made sure everyone was comfortable and enjoying themselves. He even went out of his way to make sure we saw a "mob" of kangaroo up close. This tour is a full day out of Cairns and well worth it. Highly recommend it and this company.
“Must do experience”
Awesome day out to Chillagoe. Gav was extremely knowledgeable and made the experience of traveling out so much more interesting. Caves were awesome and granite Gorge was a great experience with the little rock wallabies.
Definitely worth doing and thanks Billy tea safaris for an unforgettable day
“Great guided day to the Outback”
We booked the Outback trip late in our trip planning and solely based on the great reviews as a fun, and away from the water excursion. Billy Tea did not disappoint. We had a great time, our guide was knowledgeable and funny, the stops were informal and fun, we saw and learned a lot. This is a great way to experience the other side (inside) of NE Australia when visiting the costal towns and reef
“Amazing experience! Highly recommend!!”
I had an amazing time on the Chillagoe Caves and Outback Day Trip tour!! This was my favorite tour of my trip! Gavin was an amazing tour guide and offered so much information on the local environment, animals and aboriginal people! His passion for the area was very obvious!! The coffee stop was amazing, the caves were so cool and my absolute favorite part was getting to feed the wild wallabies! We also got super lucky and saw a dingo. Definitely worth the trip(:
“Chillacoe Cave and nore”
We had a fabulous time! Great opportunity to see kangaroos and wallabys and much more. The cave and balancing rock were fun, coffee plantation great as well. Gavin, our guide is very knowledgeable and we learned a lot about Australia from him!
“Great outback adventure”
We had a excellent day with Gavin, he is passionate, very knowledgeable and great storyteller. We were not disappointed, seen lots of wildlife, great lunch, met some locals and informative cave tour.
“Great day in the outback with Billy Tea Safaris and guide Gus”
Gus was the most informative guide.
He was knowledgeable about everything we saw, flora, fauna and buildings. He identified animal footprints. Explained about aboriginal culture and traditions ,told stories of their beliefs.
He had great anecdotes throughout the day.
Would do this tour again, truck was comfortable.
“Friendly, Interesting, & Furry wildlife”
Gav is very friendly & makes the tour extra great. Gav is considerate, outgoing, takes his time, & is very knowledgeable. The female cave guide also was awesome. Mahalo!
“Not you usual tourist experience”
Caves very interesting and our guide Rowan engaging and informed.
Tour included extra experiences including charming encounter with wallabies
“Chillagoe is a must-go!”
After a wet, grey start, our first-class Guide, Gavin (aka Steve Irwin with a goatee) took us safely over the water-damaged Kuranda Range and, as predicted, into a day filled with sunshine and blue skies.
Great coffee, scones and paw-paw at Skybury Coffe farm, a dozen km west of Mareeba then on to Chillagoe.
The Royal Arch was a great experience and made so enjoyable with our knowledgable cave guide and Ranger Dave!
Good pub Lunch followed a visit to the old copper smelting site.
Stops at old Almaden railway station and the Mareeba golf course to experience a mob of at least 50 Grey Kangaroos. Wonderful timing Gav!
After a final 30 minute visit to Granite Gorge to find another dozen Wallabies, we headed home to Cairns.
A fantastic day for everyone.
Take water, hat, camera, snacks and sun cream.
Mobiles work well in towns (Dimbulah, Almaden, Chillagoe, Mareeba)
Had the best day on the outback tour. Our guide Gavin was awesome and gave 100% of his time, energy and knowledge. Thank you again — we loved it!
“King gave”
The tour was simply phenomenal — indescribable places and exciting experiences. But even better than the tour was our guide King-Gav, the best guide we had in Australia: polite, friendly and competent. His knowledge made the trip unforgettable.
Rohan is the best! He guided our Chillagoe Caves and Outback tour and I loved his enthusiasm for Australian nature, his endless knowledge of geology and history, and his energetic, patient, funny and easygoing style. He even converted all the metric units for our all-American bus and compared kangaroo species to North American deer to help us understand. He made every moment exciting — roadside wallaby stops, green-ant nests, funny stories — and even ran a fun game with prizes on the drive back. A wonderful day (a happy pivot from our flood-affected plans), and hand-feeding the wallabies and seeing the joeys was my favourite part. Highly recommend!
“A Day in the Outback”
A wonderful trip with Gavin and Angus, and a lovely group on the bus. We enjoyed all the stops — the Chillagoe caves (thanks to Doug for his knowledge of the Royal Cave), coffee and scones, pub lunch, Balancing Rock, Aboriginal rock art, the Chillagoe smelter, and of course feeding the rock wallabies and enjoying the birds and reptiles at Granite Gorge. A full day that flew by — highly recommend if you get the chance.
“Great full day out”
We were booked on the rainforest tour but it was cancelled due to recent storms, and the Outback tour we were offered instead was a pleasant surprise. Our guide Rowan was excellent and the tour very interesting, with a great gradual change of countryside from the tropics to the inland. The old mining town, caves, Balancing Rock and Granite Gorge were all excellent.
“The best day ever, you must do it!”
We went on the Chillagoe Caves and Outback Adventure with guide Gavin (and trainee guide Angus) and had the best day in the outback. Gav was so knowledgeable with wonderful stories and kept us well entertained. The caves have to be seen to be believed, and every stop let us soak up the great Australian outback. Lots of laughs, and a very comfortable, well-air-conditioned 4WD. Highly recommend.
“Chillagoe - crikey!”
An amazing day. Gavin was our guide and was fantastic — so much knowledge, energy and personality. It's a long day and we had up to 42 degrees, but there were many highlights: holding a python at Granite Gorge, the wallabies and the caves. An absolute 11 out of 10 — highly recommend.
The day trip to Chillagoe and the outback with our guide Gavin is an absolute winner — one of the best we've ever had (we're 65 and 66). You experience the beginning of the outback and also get a feel for the Tablelands between the rainforest and the outback, and with Gavin's commentary you come away with a real feeling and knowledge of Australia.
“Cave tours Chillago”
We did the 3 cave guided tours a must do when arriving in chillago easy excess with the car . We had a excellent tour guide Doug giving a lot of information about the history about the caves . For us we found the Donna cave the best one a lot of different styles in this cave
“Melissa”
From the moment you're picked up until you're dropped back, it was amazing. From the rainforest to the savannah, heaps to see and learn.
“Best Cave Day”
Loved the food. Caves amazing.. great ranger and tour guide.. loved the history of the area... scones best ever. People so welcoming..
“Chillagoe and surrounds tour”
Well organised, on time, fantastic commentary. Not rushed, guide/driver was excellent. Nothing was a trouble. Mine tour relaxed and with pub lunch a real taste of outback FNQ.
“Awesome experience”
My Daughter and Myself had the most awesome experience. Mark was extremely knowledgeable of the whole area and made the trip really enjoyable. We will definitely be doing this again. 10/10 for Mark
