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About Chillagoe
Park features
Limestone has been weathered, dissolved and re-formed by water to create spectacular caverns and passages, decorated by secondary deposits, including stalactites, stalagmites and flowstones.
Scientists believe 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 that 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.
Several bat species roost and breed in the dark caves. Chillagoe is one of five known nesting sites for the white-rumped swiftlet Aerodramus terraereginae. The caves are also home to spotted pythons Antaresia maculosa 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 Smelters 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.
Chillagoe-Mungana Caves National Park, Tropical North Queensland, Queensland
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Discover Chillagoe—a region rich in geological wonders, colourful history and natural beauty. Located just West of the Atherton Tablelands, it's a picturesque, 3-hour drive from Cairns.
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.
- Please take your rubbish with you.
- Avoid interfering with or feeding native animals—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 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 by Queensland Parks and Wildlife Service for the enjoyment of visitors and the conservation of our natural and cultural heritage. Visitors can explore Donna, Trezkinn and Royal Arch caves on ranger-guided cave tours, which run daily except Christmas Day. Tickets must be purchased in advance from Queensland Parks and Wildlife Service staff based at The Hub in the Chillagoe township.
The Chillagoe Smelters are listed on the Queensland Heritage Register, representing the themes of ‘Exploiting, utilising and transforming the land' and 'Building settlements, towns, cities and dwellings’. A restricted access area has been declared over the Chillagoe Smelters to protect public safety.
Tourism information links
Chillagoe Hub Information Centre
21–23 Queen Street, Chillagoe QLD 4871
Ph: (07) 4094 7111
Email: ChillagoeCaveBooking@des.qld.gov.au
Opening hours: 8:00am to 3:30pm every day except Christmas Day.
For tourism information for all regions in Queensland see Queensland Holidays.
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The natural, cultural and historical significance of Chillagoe
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The Chillagoe Smelters is located about 2.3km from Chillagoe. Information includes historical and technical information about aspects of the smelter, safety and a self-guided map.