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Jenolan Caves
Jenolan Caves (including Kanangra Walls) Most famous limestone caves in New South Wales.
The Jenolan Caves, because they are located 164 kilometres from Sydney, are Australia's most accessible and popular limestone caves. They are deep in a valley on the far side of the Great Dividing Range and are 793 metres above sea level. Between Hartley and the Jenolan Caves, the road crosses the Great Dividing Range at an altitude of 1250 metres. |
Jenolan Caves were known to the local Aboriginal population for many thousands of years as Binoomea, "Dark places". European involvement in the area began in 1838 with the first recorded discovery by a local pastoralist James Whalan. According to legend however, Whalan was not the first European to set eyes on the caves, with that honour going to James McKeown, an ex-convict and possibly an outlaw, reputed to have been using the caves as a hideout. |
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| Jenolan Caves History |
James Whalan and his brother Charles were responsible for the discovery of several openings over the succeeding years, with the Elder cave, being discovered in 1848, the first "dark cave" explored. In 1860 the Lucas cave, largest of the current show caves, was discovered by Nicholas Irwin and George Whiting. It was not until 1866 however that the caves were brought under direct government control. In 1867, Jeremiah Wilson was appointed as "Keeper" of the "Binda", or "Fish River" Caves, the Aboriginal word Jenolan ("high mountain") not being adopted until 1884.
Despite government control, the caves initially enjoyed little protection. Visitors in the early years were free to break formations and take souvenirs from the caves; damage visible today in caves including the Elder and Lucas. It was not until 1872 that this practice became illegal, thanks largely to the efforts of John Lucas, the local member of Parliament. The Lucas Cave bears his name to commemorate his part in the preservation of this fragile and irreplaceable environment.
In the 1880's Jenolan began to emerge as a genuine tourist destination. Jeremiah Wilson, an extraordinary caver, had pushed to the end of the Elder Cave and in 1879 descended a shaft and rockpile to discover the Imperial Cave. This was soon followed by the discovery of the "Left Imperial" in 1880 (renamed the Chifley Cave in 1952 after Prime Minister J.B. Chifley).
Development within the caves, which included pathways and the protection of formations, began, an accommodation house was constructed and in 1887 permanent electric lighting was installed. Wilson was to continue his exploration, discovering the Jersey Cave in 1891 and the glorious Jubilee Cave in 1893. The present day Caves House was constructed in 1898 after fire partially destroyed the original buildings.
While the Blue Mountains often portrays Jenolan Caves as one of its own tourist attractions, Jenolan Caves is actually part of the spectacular Oberon area. Jenolan Caves is however within easy reach of the Mountains making it ideal for a day trip.
Jenolan Caves are without question, Australia's most impressive limestone caves. The caves were discovered in 1838 by a convict bushranger. There are nine show caves open to the public with spectacular lighting, underground rivers and cave formations that will amaze you.
Tour guides take you through the caves. Some caves are tougher than others. Jenolan Caves also offer adventure tours, picnic facilities and bush walking tracks.
The drive to Jenolan Caves is also a pleasant experience. The natural welcoming of the Grand Arch is unforgettable.The acoustics of the Archway make carols by candlelight at Christmas a truly magical event!
Historic Jenolan Caves House in itself is a treat to experience. On cold winter days, relax by a log fire with a hot chocolate while waiting for your cave tour to begin.
The drive to the Caves includes one of the most dramatic and unusual stretches of road in New South Wales. After winding down a hill the road reaches a river with an incredibly blue pond and there, in front of the traveller, is the Grand Arch. Visitors have to drive into, and wind through, the main cave before emerging just below Caves House. The Grand Arch is the largest open cave in Australia. It is 24 metres high, 55 metres wide and 127 metres long. It is an extraordinary introduction to the whole experience of the Jenolan Caves.
The first European to discover the caves was the bushranger and escaped convict James McKeown. In a report in the Argus newspaper the story of his capture and the discovery of the Caves was recounted in a suitably dramatic fashion.
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| Jenolan Caves
The Lucas Cave :- The Lucas is the cave that most people visit at Jenolan, in fact if you visited Jenolan on a school excursion, you probably visited the Lucas.If you only have time to visit one cave, the Lucas is the best general cave, offering the visitor both the highest and widest chambers at Jenolan as well as a glimpse of the underground river. It is home to the most photographed formation at Jenolan, the Broken Column and displays a wide range of beautiful cave formations.
The Imperial Cave :- The easiest of all our show cave tours, the Imperial Cave follows an ancient river passage, and is mostly level. It is the best cave for visitors who are less mobile.When the floor of the Imperial Cave was excavated in 1975, bones were discovered. On display in the Imperial Cave are the bones of a Tasmanian devil (long extinct on the mainland) and a Wallaby. As you walk through the cave, you can also see many marine fossils embedded in the limestone roof and walls.
Chifley Caves :- The Chifley Cave was the first cave in the world to be lit with electric light, early experiments being carried out by Lieutenant Edward Cracknel in 1880. The Chifley cave displays all the stunning cave formations that Jenolan is famous for. You can see glorious examples of exquisite dogtooth spar crystal in the Chifley Cave. Being one of the shorter tours at Jenolan, it is a good choice for people with children. There are two locations on the tour which are illuminated with coloured lights. Also the tour does not retrace its path at any point, so children are less likely to get bored.
Orient Caves :- The first chamber of the Orient Cave (Bat End) can be accessed by wheelchair! Although a wheelchair can go no further into the cave, it still brings you close to a range of beautiful formations.The Orient Cave, along with the Temple of Baal and Ribbon Caves are entered though a man made tunnel 120 metres in length known as the Binoomea Cut which was constructed in 1954.
Temple of Baal caves:- In 2006, one of the world's most beautiful caves, the Temple of Baal , was transformed with a state-of-the-art light and sound show designed to highlight the cave's stunning features while protecting its environment.Intimate weddings can be held in this cave.The cave boasts two massive chambers, one 42 metres high, and is filled with beautiful formations such as the nine-metre long Angel's Wing shawl - one of the largest cave shawls in the world. The cave also offers one of the best displays of gravity-defying helictites.
The Imperial-Diamond Cave:-The Imperial Cave is the easiest of all our show cave tours. It follows an ancient river passage, and is mostly level, making it more suitable for most visitors, including the less agile.After making your way through the Imperial Cave, you proceed into the upper Diamond branch. A narrow pathway leads through to a wonderland of pure white crystal formations tinted with every shade of pink and apricot. The tour culminates at the Gem of the West, an intricate display of helictites, stalactites, stalagmites, shoals and wave crystal. This walk is very easy, and displays some of the most beautiful crystal you will ever see.
River cave:- In the River Cave, you will see magnificent shawls (such as the Giant Shawl) and many renowned formations, including the Minaret (a spectacular stacmite), Grand Column (biggest column at Jenolan) and Queen's Canopy.Because of it's length and size, a tour of the River Cave leaves a visitor with a great sense of personal achievement. There are many twists and turns, and you have the feeling you are really journeying to the centre of the earth!
The Pool of Cerberus Cave :- Tours of the Pool of Cerberus Cave can take a maximum of 8 people and are not available every day.Discovered in 1903, the Pool of Cerberus Cave is one of the most frequently requested cave tours at Jenolan. See delicate formations and the stunning beauty of the Pool of Cerberus, including Cerberus himself.
Ribbon Cave:- The Ribbon Cave is fairly low and narrow, so you can examine amazing formations at very close quarters, including helictites, pool rims and the exquisite beauty of the Lily Pads.To get to the Ribbon Cave, you must first make your way quickly through the Orient Cave, giving you a very brief opportunity to glimpse the Orient's legendary formations.
The Jubilee Cave:-Another thing that makes the Jubilee special is the amount of historic infrastructure (old iron handrails and electrical fittings), which adds another dimension to its character. You will feel like you have stepped back in time.In the depths of the Jenolan Cave system, there is a unique cave, characterized by the astonishing variety of formations, their purity and striking contrasts. |
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| Getting There |
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There are no public transport arrangements to Jenolan Caves, however in addition to a pleasant 2½ drive, A.A.T. Kings, Blue Mountains BusCo and Fantastic Aussie Tours, offer coach and train/coach tours
Driving:You are visiting Jenolan from the direction of Sydney, Katoomba and Lithgow, the last section of the road into the Jenolan Valley is one way from 11.45am to 1.15pm everyday. This allows coaches to enter Jenolan safely on the narrow road. Visitors can still leave Jenolan during these times - via the Oberon Road which is now fully sealed.
Trains:Trains from Central Station, Sydney connect with the coach at Katoomba. The train from Sydney Central that will make the connection, departs 7.18am weekends and 7.25am Monday to Friday.
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| Hotels |
| The Tourist Hotel 140 Oberon St, Oberon NSW 2787, Australia (02) 6336 1378 |
| Court House Hotel 1 Main St, Lithgow NSW 2790, Australia (02) 6351 3234 |
| Bowen Inn Motel 7 Col Drewe Dr, South Bowenfels NSW 2790, Australia(02) 6352 5111 |
| Royal Hotel 113 Oberon St, Oberon NSW 2787, Australia (02) 6336 1011 |
| Lithgow Hotel 130 Main St, Lithgow NSW 2790, Australia (02) 6351 3379 |
| Restaurents |
| Wonder Thai Restaurant 202 Main St, Lithgow NSW 2790, Australia (02) 6351 3346 |
| Blue Sky Restaurant 192 Main St, Lithgow NSW 2790, Australia (02) 6352 2008 |
| Emerald Lantern Chinese Restaurant 13 Main St, Lithgow NSW 2790, Australia (02) 6353 1110 |
| McDonald's Family Restaurants Cnr Great Western Hwy & Main St, Lithgow, 2790, Australia (02) 6352 3522 |
| Secret Creek Cafe & Restaurant 35 Crane Rd, Cobar Park NSW 2790, Australia (02) 6352 1133 |
| Attractions |
| Zig Zag Railway Co-Op Chifley Rd, Clarence NSW 2790, Australia (02) 6355 2955 – 0458 203 143 (Mobile) |
| Visitor Information Centres 1 Cooerwull Rd, Bowenfels NSW 2790, Australia (02) 6353 1859 |
| Hartley Valley Holiday Farm 2187 Great Westen Highway, Little Hartley NSW 2790, Australia (02) 6355 2244 – 0419 973 327 (Mobile) |
| Antony Symons Artist Sculptor New St, Rydal NSW 2790, Australia (02) 6355 6297 |
| Secret Creek Sanctuary 35 Crane Rd, Cobar Park NSW 2790, Australia (02) 6351 4515 |
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Top
Wonders |
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Jenolan Caves
Jenolan Caves (including Kanangra Walls) Most famous limestone caves in New South Wales.
The Jenolan Caves, because they are located 164 kilometres from Sydney, are Australia's most accessible and popular limestone caves. They are deep in a valley on the far side of the Great Dividing Range and are 793 metres above sea level. Between Hartley and the Jenolan Caves, the road crosses the Great Dividing Range at an altitude of 1250 metres. |
Jenolan Caves were known to the local Aboriginal population for many thousands of years as Binoomea, "Dark places". European involvement in the area began in 1838 with the first recorded discovery by a local pastoralist James Whalan. According to legend however, Whalan was not the first European to set eyes on the caves, with that honour going to James McKeown, an ex-convict and possibly an outlaw, reputed to have been using the caves as a hideout. |
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| Jenolan Caves History |
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James Whalan and his brother Charles were responsible for the discovery of several openings over the succeeding years, with the Elder cave, being discovered in 1848, the first "dark cave" explored. In 1860 the Lucas cave, largest of the current show caves, was discovered by Nicholas Irwin and George Whiting. It was not until 1866 however that the caves were brought under direct government control. In 1867, Jeremiah Wilson was appointed as "Keeper" of the "Binda", or "Fish River" Caves, the Aboriginal word Jenolan ("high mountain") not being adopted until 1884.
Despite government control, the caves initially enjoyed little protection. Visitors in the early years were free to break formations and take souvenirs from the caves; damage visible today in caves including the Elder and Lucas. It was not until 1872 that this practice became illegal, thanks largely to the efforts of John Lucas, the local member of Parliament. The Lucas Cave bears his name to commemorate his part in the preservation of this fragile and irreplaceable environment.
In the 1880's Jenolan began to emerge as a genuine tourist destination. Jeremiah Wilson, an extraordinary caver, had pushed to the end of the Elder Cave and in 1879 descended a shaft and rockpile to discover the Imperial Cave. This was soon followed by the discovery of the "Left Imperial" in 1880 (renamed the Chifley Cave in 1952 after Prime Minister J.B. Chifley).
Development within the caves, which included pathways and the protection of formations, began, an accommodation house was constructed and in 1887 permanent electric lighting was installed. Wilson was to continue his exploration, discovering the Jersey Cave in 1891 and the glorious Jubilee Cave in 1893. The present day Caves House was constructed in 1898 after fire partially destroyed the original buildings.
While the Blue Mountains often portrays Jenolan Caves as one of its own tourist attractions, Jenolan Caves is actually part of the spectacular Oberon area. Jenolan Caves is however within easy reach of the Mountains making it ideal for a day trip.
Jenolan Caves are without question, Australia's most impressive limestone caves. The caves were discovered in 1838 by a convict bushranger. There are nine show caves open to the public with spectacular lighting, underground rivers and cave formations that will amaze you.
Tour guides take you through the caves. Some caves are tougher than others. Jenolan Caves also offer adventure tours, picnic facilities and bush walking tracks.
The drive to Jenolan Caves is also a pleasant experience. The natural welcoming of the Grand Arch is unforgettable.The acoustics of the Archway make carols by candlelight at Christmas a truly magical event!
Historic Jenolan Caves House in itself is a treat to experience. On cold winter days, relax by a log fire with a hot chocolate while waiting for your cave tour to begin.
The drive to the Caves includes one of the most dramatic and unusual stretches of road in New South Wales. After winding down a hill the road reaches a river with an incredibly blue pond and there, in front of the traveller, is the Grand Arch. Visitors have to drive into, and wind through, the main cave before emerging just below Caves House. The Grand Arch is the largest open cave in Australia. It is 24 metres high, 55 metres wide and 127 metres long. It is an extraordinary introduction to the whole experience of the Jenolan Caves.
The first European to discover the caves was the bushranger and escaped convict James McKeown. In a report in the Argus newspaper the story of his capture and the discovery of the Caves was recounted in a suitably dramatic fashion.
|
|
|
|
| |
| Jenolan Caves
The Lucas Cave :- The Lucas is the cave that most people visit at Jenolan, in fact if you visited Jenolan on a school excursion, you probably visited the Lucas.If you only have time to visit one cave, the Lucas is the best general cave, offering the visitor both the highest and widest chambers at Jenolan as well as a glimpse of the underground river. It is home to the most photographed formation at Jenolan, the Broken Column and displays a wide range of beautiful cave formations.
The Imperial Cave :- The easiest of all our show cave tours, the Imperial Cave follows an ancient river passage, and is mostly level. It is the best cave for visitors who are less mobile.When the floor of the Imperial Cave was excavated in 1975, bones were discovered. On display in the Imperial Cave are the bones of a Tasmanian devil (long extinct on the mainland) and a Wallaby. As you walk through the cave, you can also see many marine fossils embedded in the limestone roof and walls.
Chifley Caves :- The Chifley Cave was the first cave in the world to be lit with electric light, early experiments being carried out by Lieutenant Edward Cracknel in 1880. The Chifley cave displays all the stunning cave formations that Jenolan is famous for. You can see glorious examples of exquisite dogtooth spar crystal in the Chifley Cave. Being one of the shorter tours at Jenolan, it is a good choice for people with children. There are two locations on the tour which are illuminated with coloured lights. Also the tour does not retrace its path at any point, so children are less likely to get bored.
Orient Caves :- The first chamber of the Orient Cave (Bat End) can be accessed by wheelchair! Although a wheelchair can go no further into the cave, it still brings you close to a range of beautiful formations.The Orient Cave, along with the Temple of Baal and Ribbon Caves are entered though a man made tunnel 120 metres in length known as the Binoomea Cut which was constructed in 1954.
Temple of Baal caves:- In 2006, one of the world's most beautiful caves, the Temple of Baal , was transformed with a state-of-the-art light and sound show designed to highlight the cave's stunning features while protecting its environment.Intimate weddings can be held in this cave.The cave boasts two massive chambers, one 42 metres high, and is filled with beautiful formations such as the nine-metre long Angel's Wing shawl - one of the largest cave shawls in the world. The cave also offers one of the best displays of gravity-defying helictites.
The Imperial-Diamond Cave:-The Imperial Cave is the easiest of all our show cave tours. It follows an ancient river passage, and is mostly level, making it more suitable for most visitors, including the less agile.After making your way through the Imperial Cave, you proceed into the upper Diamond branch. A narrow pathway leads through to a wonderland of pure white crystal formations tinted with every shade of pink and apricot. The tour culminates at the Gem of the West, an intricate display of helictites, stalactites, stalagmites, shoals and wave crystal. This walk is very easy, and displays some of the most beautiful crystal you will ever see.
River cave:- In the River Cave, you will see magnificent shawls (such as the Giant Shawl) and many renowned formations, including the Minaret (a spectacular stacmite), Grand Column (biggest column at Jenolan) and Queen's Canopy.Because of it's length and size, a tour of the River Cave leaves a visitor with a great sense of personal achievement. There are many twists and turns, and you have the feeling you are really journeying to the centre of the earth!
The Pool of Cerberus Cave :- Tours of the Pool of Cerberus Cave can take a maximum of 8 people and are not available every day.Discovered in 1903, the Pool of Cerberus Cave is one of the most frequently requested cave tours at Jenolan. See delicate formations and the stunning beauty of the Pool of Cerberus, including Cerberus himself.
Ribbon Cave:- The Ribbon Cave is fairly low and narrow, so you can examine amazing formations at very close quarters, including helictites, pool rims and the exquisite beauty of the Lily Pads.To get to the Ribbon Cave, you must first make your way quickly through the Orient Cave, giving you a very brief opportunity to glimpse the Orient's legendary formations.
The Jubilee Cave:-Another thing that makes the Jubilee special is the amount of historic infrastructure (old iron handrails and electrical fittings), which adds another dimension to its character. You will feel like you have stepped back in time.In the depths of the Jenolan Cave system, there is a unique cave, characterized by the astonishing variety of formations, their purity and striking contrasts.
|
| |
|
| Getting There
|
|
There are no public transport arrangements to Jenolan Caves, however in addition to a pleasant 2½ drive, A.A.T. Kings, Blue Mountains BusCo and Fantastic Aussie Tours, offer coach and train/coach tours
Driving:You are visiting Jenolan from the direction of Sydney, Katoomba and Lithgow, the last section of the road into the Jenolan Valley is one way from 11.45am to 1.15pm everyday. This allows coaches to enter Jenolan safely on the narrow road. Visitors can still leave Jenolan during these times - via the Oberon Road which is now fully sealed.
Trains:Trains from Central Station, Sydney connect with the coach at Katoomba. The train from Sydney Central that will make the connection, departs 7.18am weekends and 7.25am Monday to Friday.
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