Chillagoe sits west of Mareeba on the edge of the outback and is one of the most overlooked stops in North Queensland. Limestone caves, old smelter ruins and very few people, within reach of the Tablelands but far enough out that most tourists never make it.
Getting there
Chillagoe is reached from Mareeba through Dimbulah. The road is mostly sealed with unsealed sections, and conditions vary with weather. It is a long day from the coast, so plan to stay rather than treat it as a day trip.
Caves and camping
The Chillagoe-Mungana Caves National Park protects the cave systems, and the main caves are visited on guided tours. Check tour times and camping arrangements with Queensland Parks before you travel, since both are limited and this is not a place with alternatives down the road.
Corrugations and your mounts
Rough road works fasteners loose, and this is the one piece of maintenance that actually matters out here. Re-torque the mounting bolts on your rack, tub rack or canopy before you leave, check them after the first day of dirt, and check them again every few days. An On The Horizon rooftop tent weighs between 80kg and 120kg depending on the model, and that weight is working on the mounting every kilometre of corrugation.
Dust
A hard shell earns its money on roads like these. The canvas travels folded inside a closed aluminium lid rather than strapped under a cover collecting dust, so the tent you open at the end of the day is the tent you closed that morning.
Sleeping in the heat
Out here ventilation matters more than insulation. Open both ends, keep air moving, and park to catch whatever breeze there is rather than tucking into still air. Every On The Horizon tent has a moisture barrier through the base and an anti-condensation pad under the mattress, which keeps air moving underneath rather than damp collecting there.
Common questions
Is Chillagoe worth visiting?
If you like limestone caves, mining history and country with very few people in it, yes. It is one of the quieter stops in North Queensland precisely because it takes a bit of effort to reach.
Can you camp at Chillagoe?
Check camping arrangements with Queensland Parks before you travel. Options are limited and there is little in the way of alternatives nearby.
What is the road to Chillagoe like?
Mostly sealed from Mareeba through Dimbulah with unsealed sections, and conditions change with weather. Check before you leave.
Related guides
Chillagoe Rooftop Tent Touring Guide: Caves and Outback North Queensland
Chillagoe sits west of Mareeba on the edge of the outback and is one of the most overlooked stops in North Queensland. Limestone caves, old smelter ruins and very few people, within reach of the Tablelands but far enough out that most tourists never make it.
Getting there
Chillagoe is reached from Mareeba through Dimbulah. The road is mostly sealed with unsealed sections, and conditions vary with weather. It is a long day from the coast, so plan to stay rather than treat it as a day trip.
Caves and camping
The Chillagoe-Mungana Caves National Park protects the cave systems, and the main caves are visited on guided tours. Check tour times and camping arrangements with Queensland Parks before you travel, since both are limited and this is not a place with alternatives down the road.
Corrugations and your mounts
Rough road works fasteners loose, and this is the one piece of maintenance that actually matters out here. Re-torque the mounting bolts on your rack, tub rack or canopy before you leave, check them after the first day of dirt, and check them again every few days. An On The Horizon rooftop tent weighs between 80kg and 120kg depending on the model, and that weight is working on the mounting every kilometre of corrugation.
Dust
A hard shell earns its money on roads like these. The canvas travels folded inside a closed aluminium lid rather than strapped under a cover collecting dust, so the tent you open at the end of the day is the tent you closed that morning.
Sleeping in the heat
Out here ventilation matters more than insulation. Open both ends, keep air moving, and park to catch whatever breeze there is rather than tucking into still air. Every On The Horizon tent has a moisture barrier through the base and an anti-condensation pad under the mattress, which keeps air moving underneath rather than damp collecting there.
Common questions
Is Chillagoe worth visiting?
If you like limestone caves, mining history and country with very few people in it, yes. It is one of the quieter stops in North Queensland precisely because it takes a bit of effort to reach.
Can you camp at Chillagoe?
Check camping arrangements with Queensland Parks before you travel. Options are limited and there is little in the way of alternatives nearby.
What is the road to Chillagoe like?
Mostly sealed from Mareeba through Dimbulah with unsealed sections, and conditions change with weather. Check before you leave.
Related guides