TNQ Writer
Seek and you will find geological wonders, authentic Australian adventures, and secluded stays in Mareeba Shire, one hour from Cairns CBD. Leave the beaten path and explore beyond the reef to find where the rainforest meets the outback, and your daily grind meets serenity.
Sitting at the intertwine of Barron River and Granite Creek, Mareeba – appropriately meaning “meeting of the waters” – has been home to otherworldly water-carved gorges and caves for hundreds of thousands of years.
Find Mareeba Shire’s historical beauty shining through its riverside trails, funky rock formations, striking cliff faces and ancient caves year-round. However, if you’re searching for an extra dose of excitement in the air, time your trip with Savannah in the Round from 11 to 13 October to rock the night away.
Though you’ll stumble upon Mareeba Shire only one hour along the Kennedy Highway from Cairns, or the Mulligan Highway from Port Douglas, you’ll feel worlds away with its outback landscape and vast farmlands.
Who knew you’re only a short Spotify playlist away from a scenery change? No matter when you visit, save these attractions down to explore Mareeba Shire.
Big Rock Attractions
Granite Gorge
Granite Gorge
Chillagoe Caves
Chillagoe Caves
Davies Creek National Park
Davies Creek National Park
Too early for bar hopping? May we introduce you to rock hopping. Make a beeline to Granite Gorge, where ancient granite boulders act as your path to nature discovery. If you’re wanting to experience a close encounter of the wallaby kind, make sure to buy a bag of food to feed your new furry friends as you wander.
Crawl through limestone caverns and discover Aboriginal Australian art at Chillagoe Caves – 2.5 hours of car singing from Mareeba – to enjoy a hearty serve of adrenaline-pumping adventure with a side of culture along the way. Cave-your-way with various tours to choose from, each with their own natural astonishments to uncover; from “chandelier” rock formations hanging overhead to ancient marine fossils.
Up for a challenge? Pack some snacks for a 2.5-hour drive from Chillagoe, lace up your hiking boots, and stock up on water to tackle Lambs Head in Davies Creek National Park. Feel on top of the world 1,300 metres above sea level at the highest point in Lamb Range. We recommend an early start as the return trip can take several hours but the sunrise views on the way up will be your best motivation!
Rock Art
Mungana Rock Art
Jump in the fast lane to discovery along the 2km Bunda Bibandji Rock Art Walking Track in Davies Creek National Park – connecting you with not one, but two Aboriginal art galleries (the walking track is only accessible by 4WD).
For a double dose of discovery in Chillagoe, discover ancient artwork at the two prominent Aboriginal rock art galleries found at Mungana and Wullumba. Observe motifs engraved and painted on natural rock faces around 3,500 years ago. If you needed a testament to the area’s cultural and natural history – this is it.
Rock Under The Stars
Savannah in the Round
Get ready for your world to be rocked at Savannah in the Round, a three-day three-night festival where you’ll find yourself boogying well into the night underneath the stars. Enjoy a cocktail of music, culture, and community with the outback as the perfect backdrop.
Running from 11 to 13 October 2024, find yourself rocking to the likes of Tyler Hubbard, Kip Moore, Jon Stevens, and Sheppard.
Rock Your Tastebuds
Skybury Café & Roastery
Fuel your adventures with a stop at La Fonda for traditional Latin American café foods and freshly squeezed juices made fresh to order. Make the visit on Taco Tuesday for a side of live music and Brazilian drumming with your empanadas.
Treat your tastebuds with crepes amongst the canopy at Petit Café Kuranda nestled in the lush rainforest where you can choose from over 33 different crepes to fix your culinary cravings.
Break up your days of sightseeing at Skybury Café & Roastery to sip on farm-produced coffee and chow down on Skybury’s own papaya with an intricately crafted menu to bring out all of the vibrant tropical fruit’s flavours.
Is classic Australian pub food more your rock? Take a seat at Julatten Hotel to dig into pub classics like parmis and cheesy beef burgers accompanied by a coldie or two to wash down the day.
Rockstar Accommodation
Mt. Mulligan Lodge
Mt. Mulligan Lodge
Sweetwater lodge gypsy wagon
Sweetwater lodge gypsy wagon
Stay like a rockstar at Sweetwater Lodge, a private luxury retreat amidst the tropical forest trees. Even if you don’t step foot out of the lush 160-acre property, the mountain and creek views will be worth the 1.5-hour drive from Cairns. However, for the twitchers out there, spread your wings with various bird-watching stay packages available for an immersive nature escape.
When Ironbark House Dimbulah said “off-grid” they meant it. This classic Queensland property is situated on a ridgeline with views of the outback stretching for kilometres from every direction. Neighbours? We haven’t heard of those. With this private holiday house sitting on 1,345 acres of bushland, your secluded sustainable-living daydream has never been more real. However, you will be sharing the land with the local wandering cows, kangaroos, and its own colony of Mareeba Rock Wallabies.
Would you rather stay on the wild side? Pitch a tent at Hectic Valley Farm, a farm-stay campsite on the doorstep of nearby walking and 4WD tracks, and complete with its own dam for swimming and fishing. Though there’s little that is hectic about this serene camping escape, you’ll find excitement in your neighbours being horses, camels, ducks and sheep. You won’t get that in the heart of the city!
Not a fan of camping without the Gl? Glamp at Mt. Mulligan Lodge overlooking the outstretching Mount Mulligan landscape. Sign up for indulgence in the solitude of the outback with all-inclusive experiences. For those travelling with the better half, make sure to book in for the XOXO package for sprinkles of romance throughout your getaway.
Travelling with the fam? Pack the crew in the car to head to Chillagoe Cabins. These eco-friendly self-catered family cottages include access to the accommodation’s pool, barbecue, and restaurant, all right on the doorstep to Chillagoe Caves. Activities for the kiddies without having to pack the car for the day? Sign us up!
Rock Tours
Chillagoe Smelters
Is the overflow of outing options rocking you a little? Rock a tour instead with Billy Tea Safaris and check off all the must-do itinerary items in one to three days. With single and multi-day tours, experience Chillagoe Caves, view Aboriginal rock art, trek through Granite Gorge, make friends with wallabies, dine at the Skybury Café and Outback Pub, and explore much more depending on your tour of choice.
