About Chillagoe

• Getting there and getting around
• Park features
• Camping and accommodation
• Things to do
• Things to know before you go
• Staying safe
• Looking after the park
• Park management
• Tourism information links
• Further information

Getting there and getting around

• Chillagoe-Mungana Caves National Park map (PDF, 122K)*

Chillagoe is 215 km, or 3 hrs drive west of Cairns via Mareeba and Dimbulah on the northern end of the Atherton Tableland. The road is sealed to Almaden. Over the final 32 km of road there are both sealed and unsealed sections. Chillagoe can also be accessed via Herberton from the southern end of the Atherton Tableland, although there are more unsealed sections along this route. Conventional vehicle access is possible in dry weather but roads may be impassable in the summer wet season. Contact the RACQ to enquire about local road conditions.

A bus service operates to Chillagoe from Cairns and Mareeba and charter flights operate from Cairns.

Chillagoe-Mungana Caves National Park is spread over the Chillagoe area with five main access points (see below). All distances are from The Hub Information Centre in Chillagoe.

Royal Arch Cave car park

The Royal Arch Cave car park is about 6 km from Chillagoe. Follow Queen Street across Chillagoe Creek before turning left where signposted onto Bolwarra Road. Travel a further 4.3 km along a gravel road to the car park.

Donna Cave car park

Donna, Trezkinn, Pompeii and Bauhinia caves can be accessed from the Donna Cave car park, 1.8 km from Chillagoe. Follow Frew Street to the edge of town before crossing a cattle grid near Chillagoe Cattle Station. Follow the signs to the car park.

The Mungana Archways car park

The Archways is located near Mungana, 17 km west of Chillagoe. From Chillagoe, drive along Queen Street, crossing Chillagoe Creek, staying on the Burke Developmental Road. Travel 15 km and turn right again where signposted and drive a further 2 km along a gravel track to reach the car park. You will pass the Mungana Aboriginal art site along the way.

Balancing Rock car park

Balancing Rock car park is 2.5 km from Chillagoe. Drive along Frew Street to the edge of town before crossing a cattle grid near Chillagoe Cattle Station. From here the route is well signposted.

Chillagoe Smelters

The Chillagoe Smelters are 2.3 km from town. Follow Queen Street across Chillagoe Creek before turning right where signposted. The smelter pictures will lead you to your destination. Do not enter the restricted access area.

Wheelchair accessibility

There are no wheelchair-accessible facilities but it is possible to drive around the short interpretive trail at the Chillagoe Smelters.

Park features

Limestone has been weathered, dissolved and reformed by water to create spectacular caverns and passages, decorated by stalactites, stalagmites and flowstones.

Some scientists believe that the landscape around Chillagoe began to form about 400 million years ago, when limestone was deposited as calcareous mud and coral reefs on the bed of a shallow sea where Chillagoe is today. Subsequent tilting, folding and erosion exposed and weathered the limestone which today towers over the surrounding plains. Fluctuating groundwater levels slowly dissolved some of the limestone, creating caverns and passages, some of which have since been decorated by calcite stalactites, stalagmites and flowstones, deposited by surface waters penetrating through the rock.

Few animals can survive inside the dark caves. Several bat species roost and breed here and Chillagoe is also one of five known nesting sites for the white-rumped swiftlet (Aerodramus spodiopygia). The caves are also home to spotted pythons and a variety of insects and spiders. Fossilised bones of many animals including those of the extinct giant kangaroo have been found in the caves.

Aboriginal paintings are protected in the park. The Chillagoe Smelter site preserves relics of the State's mining and industrial heritage dating back to the 1890s.

Read more about the nature, culture and history of Chillagoe-Mungana Caves National Park.

Camping and accommodation

Camping

No camping is permitted in Chillagoe-Mungana Caves National Park.

Other accommodation

Motel, hotel, caravan park and camping accommodation is available in Chillagoe. A range of accommodation and camping is also available on the Atherton Tableland (about 110 km east of Chillagoe). For more information see the tourism information links.

Things to do

Walking

• Chillagoe-Mungana Caves National Park map (PDF, 122K)*

Several walking tracks allow you to explore the landscape above the ground.

Balancing Rock track—440 m return (20 mins) Grade: moderate

From the Balancing Rock car park a rough track climbs up a rock formation, providing views of Balancing Rock, a spectacular limestone outcrop. Take a moment to enjoy views of the surrounding open woodlands. This is a great photo opportunity.

Donna car park to Balancing Rock car park—2 km return (1 hr) Grade: easy

The Balancing Rock track can also be accessed from the Donna Cave car park, 1.8 km from Chillagoe. Meander through open woodland featuring eucalypts and ironwoods. Listen for the 'kook-kook-kook' as kookaburras 'laugh' from above. Along the walk look for agile wallabies and wallaroos seeking shelter from the heat.

Royal Arch track—9 km return (2.5 hrs) Grade: easy

From Balancing Rock car park 2.5 km south of Chillagoe, this pleasant walk passes the Wullumba Aboriginal art site. The track then winds past several striking limestone outcrops called towerkarsts—features of world scientific interest found around the Chillagoe area.

As you cross picturesque Chillagoe Creek notice the huge paperbark trees lining the banks. The track continues through open woodland, featuring bloodwoods, Cooktown ironwoods, tea-trees and grevilleas.

At the Royal Arch bluff—an imposing jagged limestone outcrop rising abruptly from the surrounding woodland—the vegetation changes again. Here you will find scrubby deciduous plants such as native bauhinias and helicopter trees. 

Ranger guided tours

Ranger-guided tours to Donna, Trezkinn and Royal Arch caves leave at 9.00 am, 11.00 am and 1.30 pm daily except Christmas Day. Fees apply. Tickets must be purchased in advance from The Hub in the town centre. These three caves can only be accessed via a guided tour.

Royal Arch Cave tour—1.6 km return (1.5 hrs) Grade: easy/moderate

From the Royal Arch Cave car park, about 6 km from Chillagoe, a short 200 m walking track leads you to the cave. This tour is a 600 m walk through passages and 11 chambers in one of the largest cave systems in the area. Unexpected shafts of daylight, glimpses of darting bats, naturally sculptured limestone formations and ancient marine fossils are highlights of this tour.

Hand-held lamps are provided to add to the excitement of exploring the labyrinth of tunnels and lofty caverns. Children under five years may like to bring their own torch as the weight of the lamps makes them unsuitable for children.

There are low overhangs in some places within Royal Arch Cave and visitors are required to stoop low in several sections.

Donna Cave—440 m return (1 hr) Grade: moderate

The Donna Cave car park is 1.8 km from Chillagoe. This cave features beautiful columns, calcite crystals and a cave decoration in the form of the Madonna. During the 200 m walk through the cave, visitors are required to climb several steep flights of stairs; about 200 steps in total. Electrical lighting is provided in this cave.

Trezkinn Cave—590 m return (30–45 mins) Grade: moderate

From the Donna Cave car park, located 1.8 km from Chillagoe, a boardwalk leads to a shelter shed at the entrance to the cave. From here enjoy outstanding views of the Chillagoe landscape. Access to Trezkinn Cave is provided via a steel catwalk encircling a huge central mass of limestone. The walk through the cave is about 150 m long, with several steep flights of stairs. The sight of a magnificent ‘chandelier’ formation rewards the visitor. Electrical lighting is provided in this cave.

Self-guiding caves

To ensure a safe visit to the self-guided caves, visitors must be well prepared and responsible for their own safety.

The Archways—220 m return (30 mins) Grade: easy

This self-guided cave commences at the Mungana Archways car park. Follow the rock-strewn track, meandering through deciduous vine thicket as you explore this semi-open cave. Skinks (small lizards) dart across open spaces to find refuge in the rocks. Black and creamy-white common crow butterflies flutter in the shade of the rock walls. Torches are required.

Pompeii Cave—600 m return (50 mins) Grade: difficult

Pompeii Cave can be accessed from the Donna Cave car park, 1.8 km south of Chillagoe. From the car park a well-formed track with many steps leads through deciduous vine forest to Pompeii Cave—a cleft in the rock filled with large boulders, the remnants of a previous collapse.

Inside this small cave, look for bats sleeping high in dark crevices and rock-wallabies hopping from boulder to boulder. A short but steep climb to the bottom reveals a dark passage and some attractive formations. Torches are required.

Bauhinia Cave—300 m return (20 mins) Grade: difficult

Bauhinia Cave is accessed from the Donna Cave car park, 1.8 km south of Chillagoe. From the car park a short walk brings you to the entrance of Bauhinia Cave—a dark, narrow crevice requiring a steep scramble down large boulders. Look for interesting formations such as cave coral in this small cave. Torches are required.

Picnic and day use areas

Picnic tables are provided at Donna Cave, Royal Arch Cave and Balancing Rock car parks, and at the Mungana Aboriginal art site.

Viewing wildlife

Go birdwatching. More than 75 bird species have been recorded around Chillagoe including pale-headed rosellas (Platycercus adscitus), apostle birds (Struthidea cinerea) and blue-faced honeyeaters (Entomyzon cyanotis). Listen for the Torresian crow's (Corvus orru) raucous call drifting across the woodland in the heat of the day.

Many agile wallabies (Macropus agilis) live in the surrounding woodland and can easily be seen along the walking track, especially around dusk. The larger wallaroos are also common. Look for rock-wallabies around rocky outcrops.

In the caves look for several types of bats including eastern bent-wing bats (Miniopterus schreibersii oceanensis) and the common sheathtail bats (Taphozous georgianus). White-rumped swiftlets (Aerodramus spodiopygia) can be seen circling over the limestone towers. Similar in appearance to swallows, they nest in the complete darkness of the caves in colonies of about 50, between November and February. Swiftlets are very sensitive to disturbance in their nesting chambers. Avoid disturbing bat and swiftlet colonies at all times

• See the description of the park's natural environment for more details about Chillagoe-Mungana's diverse wildlife.

Other things to do

Chillagoe Smelters interpretive drive

A touring route indicated by arrows is provided at the smelter with information signs along the way. Discover the highly colourful mining history of the area. Copper, lead, silver and gold were extracted here for a period of more than 40 years—the site preserves relics of the State's mining and industrial heritage dating back to the 1890s. This industrial site includes pits, tanks and contaminants. For your safety, and to preserve this historical site, please do not walk or climb on the structures and do not interfere with historical relics. Take note of the regulatory notices indicating restricted access areas which must be observed. Read more about the Chillagoe Smelters self-guided walk/drive.

View Aboriginal rock art

A few small rock galleries of Aboriginal paintings are found in the area but most are accessible only on foot. At Mungana, a small gallery is located 1.2 km along the gravel road to The Archways. Another gallery, the Wullumba art site is a short walk from the Balancing Rock car park, 2.5 km from Chillagoe.

Things to know before you go

Essentials to bring

Preparation is the key to a safe and enjoyable visit. Make sure that you bring:

• sturdy non-slip shoes for walking on rough or slippery surfaces
• a hat and sunscreen
• cool, protective clothing—the limestone rock has sharp edges, so protective clothing is advisable. Cave temperatures are approximately 22 °C, so warm clothing is not necessary while in the caves
• torches for exploring the self-guided caves
• insect repellent.

Opening hours

Chillagoe-Mungana Caves National Park is open year round, although roads may be impassable in the wet season, December to March. Guided tours to Donna, Trezkinn and Royal Arch caves leave at 9.00 am, 11.00 am and 1.30 pm daily except Christmas Day. Fees apply. Tickets must be purchased in advance from The Hub in the town centre. These three caves can only be accessed via a ranger-guided tour.

Permits and fees

Fees apply to ranger-guided cave tours—adults $21.00, children $10.50 (4–14 years), family $52.50 (two adults and two children), concession $17.00 and students $4.75 each. Prices are valid until 1 April 2012. Tickets must be purchased in advance from The Hub in the town centre.

Permits are required for commercial or organised activities.

Pets

Domestic animals are not permitted in Chillagoe-Mungana Caves National Park.

Climate and weather

There are two seasons in the Chillagoe area—the wet season from December to the end of March, and the dry season from April until November. The mean annual rainfall is 850 mm. Summer (wet season) temperatures usually range between 25 °C and 35 °C. October and November can be very hot and dry while the winter months from May until August can be cool at night. Thunderstorms and rain depressions at the end of November usually herald the approaching wet season. For more information see the tourism information links.

Fuel and supplies

Fuel, mechanical repairs and supplies are available at Chillagoe. For more information see the tourism information links.

Staying safe

To enjoy a safe visit to Chillagoe-Mungana Caves National Park, visitors must be well prepared and responsible for their own safety.

• Always take at least two torches when visiting self-guided caves and never cave alone.
• Inform someone of your itinerary including starting and finishing times.
• Take care on loose, uneven and steep sections of tracks and caves, especially when wet.
• Always carry water, wear a hat and sturdy footwear and try to walk in the cooler part of the day.
• Supervise children closely.
• Wear protective clothing and insect repellent to protect yourself from stings, scratches and bites.

For more information, please read the guidelines on safety in parks and forests.

Looking after the park

• Visit respectfully. Rock art sites are irreplaceable and easily damaged. Please avoid raising dust and never touch the rock imagery.
• Never touch cave formations. Natural acids in your skin damage the cave decorations.
• Place rubbish in the bins provided. Where there are no bins, please take your rubbish with you.
• Avoid interfering with or feeding native animals as it can affect their health.
• Domestic animals are not permitted in national parks.
• Keep on the walking tracks at all times.
• Everything in the park, living or dead, is protected. Please leave everything as you found it.

See the guidelines on caring for parks for more information about protecting our environment and heritage in parks.

Park management

Chillagoe-Mungana Caves National Park is managed for the enjoyment of visitors and the conservation of our natural and cultural heritage by the Queensland Parks and Wildlife Service. Cave tours are operated by rangers to help visitors understand and appreciate the spectacular cave systems protected within the park.

The Chillagoe Smelters are listed on the Queensland Heritage Register, representing the themes of ‘Utilising natural resources’ and 'Remembering significant phases in the development of settlements, towns and cities’.

Tourism information links

Chillagoe Hub Information Centre
www.chillagoehub.com.au
21–23 Queen Street, Chillagoe Qld 4871
ph (07) 4094 7111
email chillagoehubinfo@bigpond.com

For tourism information for all regions in Queensland see www.queenslandholidays.com.au. 

Further information

Contact us

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Last updated 15 July 2011

Chillagoe-Mungana Caves National Park

• About Chillagoe
• Nature, culture and history
• Tour operators
• Chillagoe Smelters self-guided walk/drive