3 Day Daintree, Tablelands & Chillagoe Caves
Small group tours to the Daintree, Tablelands & Chillagoe Caves and outback QLD. Find the hidden gems of this fantastic region! Spend a wonderful day exploring the World Heritage Daintree Rainforest in our custom built four wheel drives, and the next day cooling off in the Atherton Tablelands exploring the high-country west of the city then on the third day join us on an outback tour to see the Chillagoe Caves outside Cairns.
Inclusions:
Day 1: Daintree, Cape Tribulation & 4WD Bloomfield Track
- Professional guide
- Daintree River Cruise
- Jungle Ferry crossing
- Lunch
- Coffee and/or Tea
- Hotel pickup and drop-off
- National Park fees
- Entry/Admission - Daintree National Park
- Entry/Admission - Lync-Haven Cafe
- Entry/Admission - Emmagen creek
Day 2: Cairns Tablelands Tours
- Air-conditioned vehicle
- Beverages
- Bottled water
- Food tasting
- Lunch
- Coffee and/or Tea
- Live commentary on board
- Cairns and Northern Beach Hotel pickup and drop-off
- Alcoholic Beverages
- Entry/Admission - Coffee Works
- Entry/Admission - Historic Village Herberton
- Entry/Admission - Millaa Millaa Falls
- Entry/Admission - The Australian Platypus Park at Tarzali Lakes
- Entry/Admission - Curtain Fig National Park
Day 3: Chillagoe Caves & Outback
- Local guide
- Coffee and/or Tea
- Lunch at an Aussie pub
- Transport by air-conditioned vehicle
- National Park Cave and Smelter Tour
- Hotel pickup and drop-off (Cairns area only)
- Tropical Fruit Tasting
- Entry/Admission - Granite Gorge Nature Park
- Entry/Admission - Chillagoe-Mungana Caves National Park
- Entry/Admission - Skybury Cafe & Roastery
Departure times & locations
Day 1: We offer hotel pickup from Cairns, Northern Beaches & Port Douglas.
- Southside Accommodation: pick up 6.50 am
- Cairns City (CBD) accommodation: pick up between 7.00 – 7.15am, returns 6.30pm
- Northern Beaches accommodation: pick up between 7.20 – 7.45am, returns 6pm
- Port Douglas accommodation: pick up 8.20am, returns approx 5.00 – 5.30pm
Day 2: We offer free hotel pickup from Cairns & Northern Beaches.
- Southside accommodation: pick up 6.15 am, returns between 6.45pm - 7pm
- Cairns CBD: pick up 6.30am, returns 6.30pm
- Northern Beaches: International Coaches will pick you up around 6.10am and transfer you to Canopys Edge Bus Stop in Smithfield where you will be picked up by your Billy Tea guide. You will be returned to Canopys Edge Bus Stop around 6pm where you will be picked up by International Coaches to return to the Northern Beaches.
- Port Douglas: we do not offer pick-up or drop-offs to Port Douglas. You will need to make your own way to Canopys Edge Bus Stop in Smithfield where you will be picked up by your Billy Tea guide. Please arrange your own transport to and from Canopys Edge Bus Stop.
Day 3: We offer courtesy hotel pickup from Cairns & Northern Beaches. (note Port Douglas pickup is an additional cost).
- Southside accommodation: pick up 6.40am, return 6.30pm - 7pm
- Cairns City accommodation: pick up between 6.45am – 7am, return 6.30pm - 7pm
- Northern Beaches accommodation: International Coaches will pick you up approximately 6.45am and transfer you to Canopys Edge Bus Stop in Smithfield where you will be picked up by your Billy Tea guide. This is included in your ticket. You will be returned to Canopys Edge Bus Stop in Smithfield approximately 6.30pm where you will be picked up by International Coaches for your return back to the Northern Beaches.
- Port Douglas accommodation: this is an additional cost of $87 per person (minimum of 2 people). International Coaches will pick you up between 6am - 6.15am and transfer you to the bottom of the Kuranda range where you will be picked up by your Billy Tea guide. Returns between 7pm - 7.30pm.
Please ensure you are on time for your hotel pickup! If you are not on time, you may miss your pickup which will incur a 100% cancellation fee. Please note all times are approximate.
Itinerary
Day 1: Daintree, Cape Tribulation & 4WD Bloomfield Track
- Your Daintree Rainforest and Cape Tribulation 4WD Bloomfield Track full-day tour from Cairns begins with being met by your friendly accredited guide at your accommodation.
- After introductions, we drive north along the magnificent scenic coastal route along the Captain Cook Highway learning about the history of the area and admiring spectacular views of the coastline and the Azure waters of the Coral Sea.
- Stop 1: Daintree Rainforest River Cruise & Morning Tea - our first stop is at the Majestic Daintree River for morning tea (tea, coffee & biscuits) before enjoying an informative guided River Cruise on the Daintree River.
- Stop 2: Alexandra Lookout - we make our way up over the Alexandra Range and pause for a panoramic view of World Heritage, Wet Tropics, and Tropical Rainforest merging with the azure colours of the Coral Sea.
- Stop 3: Guided Boardwalk Tour - experience the rainforest intimately on one of our guided elevated National Park Boardwalks.
- Stop 4: Aussie BBQ Lunch and the Wallabies - we now make our way towards Cape Tribulation and stop for lunch at a restaurant, which is also an animal refuge centre where you have the opportunity to visit the wallabies, get up close to Eclectus Parrots, pythons & other native wildlife enjoy delicious barbecue lunch with freshly prepared salads in a beautiful rainforest setting restaurant.
- Stop 5: Emmagen Creek Wildlife Spotting & Swim - we will take you beyond the famous Daintree Tea Plantation, past spectacular mountains and through spectacular World Heritage Rainforest as we pass Cape Tribulation and continue along the 4WD Bloomfield Track through to pristine Emmagen Creek.
- Stop 6: Cape Tribulation Beach - we then make our way to Cape Tribulation Beach after most of the crowds are gone, stroll along the beach and boardwalk to the photographers' platform overlooking the mountains and coast where the 'Rainforest meets the Reef.'
- If we have time - we stop at Daintree’s hidden secret, the Daintree ice creamery on the return journey. Your taste buds will be tantalised with exotic tropical fruit homemade ice cream. S
- After a short afternoon refreshment stop, we cross the Daintree River by cable ferry and begin our homeward journey somewhat wiser for our 'Total Rainforest Experience'.
Day 2: Cairns Tablelands Tours
- After your courtesy pick up and drop off (excludes Port Douglas) in our custom-built 4WD vehicle you will travel 500 metres above sea-level and drive out of the rainforest and on to the multi-cultural village of Mareeba.
- Stop 1: Coffee Works Mareeba. Enjoy unlimited chocolate and coffee samples and explore the coffee museum and gift shop.
- Stop 2: Explore Historic Village Herberton - voted on Trip Advisor as one of the top 10 museums in Australia!
- Stop 3: Scenic Millaa Millaa Lookout overlooking the Tablelands. Great photo opportunity! Spot Mount Bartle Frere the highest mountain in Queensland in the distance.
- Stop 4: Visit iconic Millaa Millaa Falls - Millaa Millaa Falls is a magnificent heritage-listed waterfall surrounded by lush rainforest. The perfect cascade falls into the pristine waterhole, where there is time for a refreshing swim if you wish.
- Stop 5: Lunch Australian Platypus Centre at Tarzali Lakes - while lunch is being prepared you will be escorted by your guide down to the Platypus Viewing area, a spring-fed pond surrounded by lush tropical vegetation. The Australian Platypus Park is home to a thriving platypus population. After platypus spotting, you will walk back up to the main area to enjoy a share platter of deli meats, tropical fruits and cheese with a glass of local beer, wine or a soft drink followed by your main lunch meal.
- Stop 6: Curtain Fig Tree - your guide will take you through a short rainforest boardwalk to see the famous Curtain Fig Tree, an enormous, 500-year-old strangler tree. You will learn all about the history of how the Curtain Fig Tree was formed.
- Stop 7: Visit The Humpy Store - a local treasure trove of local produce galore! Purchase local produce such as nuts, fruits, dips, jams and more! A good little snack for along the way, for the trip home or as a souvenir.
- If there is time: you may also stop at Gallo Dairyland to purchase cheese or an ice-cream on the way home. This is not a scheduled stop on this tour.
Day 3: Chillagoe Caves & Outback
- 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.
- 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 back at the turn of the century! There is time to visit the unique gift shop in Chillagoe specialising 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, after you have explored Granite Gorge National Park you will get to enjoy a tropical fruit tasting prepared by your guide before making your way home.
Travelling with children
Children of all ages are welcome & must be accompanied by an adult. Children aged up to 15 years may pay the child price.
Family Friendly
We offer special rates for familes. Please check the booking for form for up to date family pricing.
Things To Bring
- Comfortable clothing & footwear
- Water bottle
- Swimmers & towel
- Sunscreen and insect repellent
- Camera
- Money for Ice cream (Subject to time)
Addtional Info
- Not wheelchair accessible
- Infant seats available
- Travelers should have a moderate physical fitness level
Booking Info
Please advise any specific dietary requirements at time of booking. If you require hotel transfers please have your hotel name ready when booking so we can send you a pick-up time with your confirmation.
Instant Booking & Mobile Friendly Tickets
Check availability & book here to secure you spot on 3 Day Daintree, Tablelands & Chillagoe Caves. Pre-booking is essential. Please do not turn up on the day without a booking.
About Billy Tea Safaris
Billy Tea Safaris is a true local company, having been locally owned and operated for over 36 years! As an Advanced Eco-Certified tour company, we operate small personalised day tours in custom-built 4WD vehicles with accredited local guides to the Daintree Rainforest & Cape Tribulation, Outback & Chillagoe Caves & the Cairns & Tablelands. Our 4WD vehicles are custom-built for passenger comfort and to withstand some of the ruggedness required in the areas that we operate. The vehicles are high clearance which means when conditions are wet we can still get through, extra-large viewing windows, spacious seats, extra legroom for maximum customer comfort.
Reviews
A fantastic day would recommend
Fantastic trip and the driver/guide was very very knowledgeable and made the trip so much more interesting!
Hirani was a knowledgeable, witty and personable guide.
We booked this tour through travstar. We received great service from travstar and the tour was fantastic.
Terrific day out! Very professional but friendly guide who gave us all the information we needed to enjoy and understand the places we visited. Tasty lunch was most appreciated. So glad I chose this small group tour.
Had a lovely time and the driver was very helpful and friendly. I would definitely recommend this trip.
Pickup from Cairns, Northern Beaches.
Departing mondays, Wednesdays & Fridays.