Echoes Beneath the Earth: A Day Trip to the Chillagoe Caves
- BELLBRY LODGE
- Apr 12
- 2 min read
It’s hard to imagine a coral reef lying 200 kilometres inland - yet millions of years ago, the ancient ocean that once covered the Atherton Tablelands left behind a magnificent legacy. Today, the Chillagoe Caves stand as a testament to that ancient sea: a labyrinthine limestone landscape formed from what was once a thriving reef system.
Image credits: Tourism Tropical North Queensland
With over 700 caves hidden in the dry outback, Chillagoe is an unexpected pocket of wonder - a place where time moves slowly, and the earth quietly tells its stories to those willing to listen.
Nature's Patience
Wander into caverns sculpted by millennia, where glittering stalactites and stalagmites rise like frozen fountains. Some chambers have created their own tiny ecosystems - home to colonies of microbats and the spotted pythons that silently hunt them, guided only by heat and instinct.
Stories from the Ancestors
But Chillagoe holds more than geological marvels. For more than 35,000 years, these caves were used by local Indigenous peoples as shelter and sacred ground. Chipping rocks, quartz knives, and delicate cave paintings remain as powerful traces of lives lived close to the land.
Guided by Lamplight
The best way to begin your exploration is with a guided tour - particularly the 90-minute journey through Royal Arch Cave. With 11 separate chambers and hand-held lamps lighting the way, it’s a gentle introduction to this ancient underworld. If you’re feeling adventurous, self-guided options like The Archways (where maidenhair ferns grow straight from the rock) or Pompeii Cave (often visited by curious rock wallabies) allow for slower, solitary discovery - just don’t forget your torch.
Image credits: Tourism Tropical North Queensland
Rust and Remnants
Beyond the caves, Chillagoe reveals another layer of history. Once a booming mining town, its rugged landscape is dotted with rusted smelters, weathered slag heaps, and the remnants of copper, silver and gold dreams. Take a moment to explore these relics of North Queensland’s early industrial days, now softened by time and red dust.
From Outback Dust to Coastal Calm
A day spent in Chillagoe is a journey through deep time - where geology, ecology, and culture intertwine. It’s an experience best enjoyed unhurried, with space to reflect and connect. Then, when the sun sinks low, return to the comfort of Bellbry Lodge - where your only task is to exhale, pour a cool drink, and savour the stories of the day.
📍 A scenic 2.5-hour drive from Bellbry Lodge, Chillagoe-Mungana Caves National Park is open daily from 8:00 am to 3:30 pm, except Christmas Day. Ranger-guided tours of Donna, Trezkinn, and Royal Arch caves are available during these hours. It's recommended to purchase tour tickets in advance from The Hub in the Chillagoe township.