Chillingham lies at the foot of the caldera walls on the road to the Numinbah Valley 15.3 kilometres from Murwillumbah.

The village is situated on the upper reaches of the Rous River and was originally called Bean Tree Crossing due to the Black Bean trees which line the riverbank. Appropriately local sculptor Tony Armstrong has created a giant Black Bean seedpod made from carved tallow wood which can be seen outside the historic village community centre. The work is a part of the Village Timber Art Trail.

The Chillingham Public School was opened in 1904.

The general store is a feature of the village with post office, liquor licence, food and café facilities.

There is also a popular fruit and bush tucker shop nearby as well as a pottery gallery in a restored 1920s butchery. Continue along the Numinbah Road into Queensland into the Springbrook National Park and its most southern attraction Natural Bridge.