Jenolan Caves Visitor Guide

...and has for 340 million years
welcome to jenolan caves
with so much to see and do this guide will help you plan your time
welcome
to jenolan caves
events & stays
music@jenolan
Sometimes Jenolan comes alive to the sound of music. A must-see is our
award-winning ‘Carols in the Caves’ in December - our biggest annual event.
Check our What’s On page, on www.jenolancaves.org.au
indulgence@jenolan
welcome!
We hope you brought your camera!
Remember to ‘tweet’ your friends and to
‘check in on Facebook’!
We have won many awards for our wide
array of atmospheric underground
experiences and excellent facilities.
So why not stay awhile – 2 or 3 days will
give you the extra time to take it all in:
•your choice of 10 spectacular show
caves (pg 3)
Have you booked a room for tonight? Heritage-listed Caves House hotel was
built in 1896, as a wilderness retreat for the wealthy. Today, people from all
walks of life stay and love its array of fully-serviced hotel rooms, backpacker
rooms and self-catered bush cottages. If you haven’t booked, let Caves House
reception know that you want to stay for dinner, bed and breakfast.
Wander upstairs and inspect our magnificent restaurant, Chisolm’s – open for
breakfast and dinner. Next to Chisolm’s is the cosy Jeremiah’s Bar, offering an
extensive range of beers, spirits and wines.
souvenirs and gift vouchers
While at Jenolan, remember to browse our gift shop and take home a memento
of your visit. Gift Vouchers are also the ideal gift for that special person – ask at
Caves House reception.
•adventure caving experiences (pg 3)
•evening cave tours, such as ‘Legends,
Mysteries & Ghosts’, the amazing ‘Off
the Track’ experience and more
•self-guided Nettle Cave tour – FREE
with your show cave ticket, and ask
about the lively commentary for kids
and our new Aboriginal culture tour
•our Huge hotel with charming suites;
backpacker lodge; bush cabins
•Chisolm’s Restaurant – sumptuous
breakfasts and dinners
•Jeremiah’s Bar for drinks and coffees
•the Bistro – with al fresco lunches,
snacks and drinks, open daily
•our Souvenir and Gift Shop
•Scenic native bush tracks (pg 4-5) to
wander and glimpse shy native wildlife
Please complete our Feedback Form
and for a chance to win a prize. If you enjoy your time with us – when
you leave – you can help to support this
wonderful destination Jenolan Caves, by
writing all your great comments about us
on www.tripadviser.com.au.
See you again!
CAVES HOUSE
Grand Victorian era hotel
Experience the charm of this heritage listed hotel. Rooms
include charming two-room suites to traditional guest
house rooms with shared facilities.
MOUNTAIN LODGE
Studio apartments – families and couples
The Lodge is within Jenolan Village adjacent to Caves
House. Rooms feature ensuite, television and kitchenette.
GATEHOUSE
Budget and Backpacker style accommodation
The Gatehouse can accommodate up to 66 guests.
Facilities include shared bathroom amenities on each
floor and two common rooms with food preparation areas.
JENOLAN COTTAGES
Self-contained cottages
Jenolan cottages are located at the top of the ‘5 Mile Hill’
on the approach to the reserve. 8 cottages are surrounded
by the 2,416 hectare reserve – abundant in wildlife.
CHISOLM’S RESTAURANT & JEREMIAH’S BAR
Grand dining room and bar
Award-winning restaurant featuring regional fare, warm
country hospitality and a well stocked bar. Dine and relax
in these charming, historic surrounds.
BISTRO
On the terrace at Caves House
The village hub – offers a range of food options and is
the place to grab a coffee, a drink or a meal between
your activities.
cave tours
your pass to enchanted places
degree of difficulty
easier
Wonders of the
Underworld
These tours provide a wonderful
introduction to the magic of Jenolan
Caves. They include large chambers
and a wide variety of features.
strenuous
Jewels of Jenolan
Magic of Jenolan
These caves are richly decorated with
sparkling crystal ranging from tiny,
delicate helictites to some of Jenolan’s
largest features.
Smaller groups explore caves of great
beauty and fragility, each with unique
and famous features. Not suitable for
very young children.
Chifley Cave
1hr
421 steps
length An astounding array of formations
690m and large chambers offering great
variety, includes both historic and
coloured lighting and some of the best
level decorated areas of active crystal at
Jenolan. An excellent tour for all ages.
average
Orient Cave
1.5hrs 358 steps
length One of the world’s most beautiful
470m caves!
level
A dazzling visual impact which is
just overwhelming – rich crystal
decorations beautifully illuminated by
the latest technology lighting.
The River Cave
2hrs
1298 steps minimum age 6
length Still pools of the underground River
1271m Styx display stunning reflections of
great beauty.
level
Three of Jenolan’s largest crystal
formations, plus the awesome Minaret,
are in this cave.
OR Imperial Cave
OR Temple of Baal
OR Pool of Cerberus
1hr
258 steps – our easiest tour
length
This is the easiest of all our show
1070m cave tours as it follows the path of an
ancient river passage which is mostly
level. Wondrous crystal formations,
level
ancient fossils plus an opportunity to
visit the underground river.
1.5hrs 288 steps minimum age 6
length
Marvel at the astonishing formations in
365m this citadel of reflection and peace. 1.5hrs–722 steps–max group 8–min age 6
Three sections of the underground
1017m River Styx are a feature of this cave.
level
High-tech lighting and sound
enhances the tour for a magical and
unforgettable experience.
OR Lucas Cave
1.5hrs 910 steps
length An awe-inspiring cave containing our
860m highest and also largest chambers.
level
It is home to one of our most
photographed features, The Broken
Column, and offers a tantalising
glimpse of the underground river.
level
OR Diamond
1.5hrs 418 steps length Enjoy all that the Imperial Cave
1270m offers and then be delighted by this
wonderland of pure white crystal
tinted with every shade of pink and
level apricot. See the mysterious helictites
and fragile straw stalactites of the
‘Gem of the West’.
a Jenolan Pass includes:
• Guided show cave tour of your choice
• Self-guided multi-lingual tour of the Nettle Cave (including the Devils Coach House Cave
• Souvenir Guide (limit of 2 per family)
Nettle Cave Self-Guided Tour
level
length
OR Ribbon Cave
1.5hrs–394 steps–max group 8–min age 6
length This small cave is not shown often and
590m is well worth the wait.
level
award-winning
adventure caving
Dare to squeeze, crawl and climb through ancient
caves, with only your headlamp to light the way.
Exhilarating! We supply overalls, safety gear, helmets,
lights and our highly experienced guides.
Choose from 3 challenge levels: Plughole (daily, 2 hours), Aladdin (Sundays, 3 hours),
Mammoth (monthly, 8 hours – experienced cavers only). Minimum age limits apply.
Please book. A Jenolan Pass does not include Adventure Tours.
Enter through the spectacular Orient
Cave on the way to this narrow gallery
of rare and unusual features.
Book early.
OR Jubilee Cave
2hrs
679 steps minimum age 6
length This tour follows the footsteps of the
1575m legendary cave explorers who said
level
“nothing can exceed its beauty”. There
are lots of small, secretive passages
to explore and you will see beautiful
formations up close.
OR Off the Track tour
476 steps
Every Jenolan Pass includes a free, self-guided tour of the Nettle Cave including
the Devils Coach House Cave. An easy to use Acoustiguide audio device
provides a fascinating multilingual commentary, including an engaging version
for children, plus a new indigenous commentary partially in the local Aboriginal
Gundungurra language – a first!
Underwater lighting adds to the
beauty. Lots of helictites and aragonite
clusters will enchant you. Book early.
level
2hrs
minimum age 10 Wearing a helmet & headlamp, travel
back in time. Discover dark, longabandoned pathways – no longer part
of our show cave system for nearly 100
years. Unique and intriguing – one of
our most fascinating tours.
OR Mysteries, Legends & Ghosts
level
2hrs
minimum age 10 Some strange and unusual happenings
have occurred at Jenolan during the
past 160 years. Mysteries that are
hard to explain and legends that have
grown around the memories of the
early explorer/guides. During this tour
your guide will introduce you to these
mysteries, legends and ghosts as you
visit various parts of the cave system.
jenolan news
explore
above ground
36 Trophies in 6 Years
One of our secrets to success has been to use imagination and
technology. We renew the way visitors experience the world’s
oldest caves, with its unique heritage and culture. On accepting
our recent gold award from Tourism Australia, Cave Operations
Manager, Dan Cove said, “We owe a huge debt of gratitude to the
many fine people of 150 years ago, who created our heritage and
culture, now so priceless.”
Remember your FREE self-guided tour
Your Jenolan Pass includes a fascinating self-guided tour of the
‘twilight’ Nettle Cave – including the Devils Coach House Cave.
Explore at your own pace, with your multilingual Acoustiguide
audio device – which includes a lively tour for kids and our new
indigenous cultural commentary. It’s FREE!
Two Jenolan iPhone Apps!
Carlotta Arch Walk
‘Shaping Waters’ Walk
This
track
abounds Length 1km round trip
with many panoramic Time 45mins return
postcard views and Grade moderate
fascinating geological
features.
The Devils Coach House
and Carlotta Arch are part
of this round trip which
starts on the eastern
side of the Grand Arch
and finishes opposite the
Caves House entrance.
The limestone caves
were formed by the
relentless
action
of
water over millions of
years. To discover more,
use the free ‘Jenolan
Trails’ App on your
iPhone.
On the app, use the
‘Shaping Waters’ map
and follow the existing
Carlotta Arch Walk.
Download from www.apple.com/itunes before you visit us as we
have no Wi-Fi at Jenolan. This will change. Check our website.
• our ‘Jenolan App,’ is our Nettle Cave tour (nominal price)
• our unique new ‘Jenolan Trails’ is FREE and guides you along 3
of our most popular bushwalks, enabling you to enjoy them from
a totally new perspective. Look out for the new signage for:
–‘Shaping Waters’ walk, an explanation of the caves geology
Jenolan River Walk
‘Working Waters’ Walk
Start from the Grand Length 3km round trip
Arch and walk alongside Time 1 to 1.5 hrs return
the Blue Lake, where Grade easy / moderate
you may see a platypus.
the
Jenolan
Follow
River downstream. This
pleasant walk retraces
technological
Jenolan’s
interactions with water.
Interpretive signs highlight
the history, geology, flora
and fauna of the area.
Stop at the Hydro station,
return on the same path.
Over the years, Jenolan
has used the latest
technology to enhance
visitor experience. To
find out about it, use the
free ‘Jenolan Trails’ App
on your iPhone. On the
app, use the ‘Working
Waters’ map and follow
the existing Jenolan River
walk. The app describes
the feats of engineering
that built the Caves into a
tourist destination.
Help Us – 9 small things make a HUGE difference!
McKeowns Valley Track
‘Healing Waters’ Walk
1. Boast about your fabulous Jenolan experience on www.tripadvisor.com.au
This walk starts by going
through the majestic Time 2-3 hours return
Devils Coach House and Grade mod / strenuous
up McKeowns Valley to
the old playing fields.
From here you have the
option of a round trip by
heading up the zigzag
access road (strenuous)
and then along to the
Devils
Coach
House
Lookdown and Carlotta
Arch, finishing in front of
Caves House. Or you can
retrace your steps.
–‘Healing Waters’ walk, revealing the Aboriginal people’s use of
the caves, read by a local indigenous person, and
–‘Working Waters’ walk, a celebration of the engineering feats
needed to develop the caves for tourists.
NSW Environmental Trust Grant
In 2013, we received grant funding from the NSW Environmental
Trust, for the removal of all ferrous metals from the cave system.
This grant has provided for the installation of new stainless steel
handrails throughout the show cave system. This is great news for
us, as it ensures the long-term sustainability of Jenolan Caves as
a leading visitor destination. All work will be completed in 2014.
2. ‘check in’ on Facebook and upload your photos!
3. ‘Like’ our Facebook page and please write on our ‘Wall’
4. ‘Like’ www.jenolancaves.org.au
5. ‘Follow’ us, on LinkedIn and on Instagram
6. Complete and return our Feedback Form. You could even win
a prize. On the form, you can also ask for our Online Survey
7. On the Feedback Form, or on our website, ask for our monthly
e-newsletter
8. Forward our e-newsletter to your friends
9. Tell everyone what a great time you had at Jenolan.
w eddings
Length 4km round trip
r om a n ti c b re a k s
For thousands of years,
Aboriginal people brought
their sick to bathe in the
‘Nadyung’ or the healing
waters of Jenolan Caves.
To find out more, use the
free ‘Jenolan Trails’ App
on your iPhone.
On the app, use the
‘Healing Waters’ map
and follow the existing
McKeowns Valley Track.
Santa & celebration, warmth of love & family
y u l efest
for more information on events & stays go to...
Nestled in over 2,400 beautiful hectares of
native sclerophyll forests are a variety of
walking tracks which offer you the chance
to experience the wonder and beauty of
Jenolan’s natural and cultural heritage.
Blue Lake Loop
Devils Coach House Lookdown
Length 700m round trip
From the Grand Arch
walk alongside the Blue Time
Lake, where you might Grade
see a platypus! Beyond
the reservoir wall a
bridge takes you across
the river and back along
the other side of the
lake under the 1896
De Burghs bridge then
back to the Grand Arch.
20-30mins return
easy
Starting from Carpark 2, Length 750m round trip
30mins return
near Carlotta Arch, this Time
path winds its way up Grade strenuous
the hill to a spectacular
lookout.
The spectacular view
below
includes
the
Devils Coach House and
the McKeowns Valley.
Thanks to support from the NSW Government, through Destination
NSW’s 2011/12 Regional Tourism Product Development Program,
the development of the Jenolan Trails App was possible.
A
Grand rch
3
It is recommended you wear comfortable, sturdy shoes,
a hat and take drinking water with you.
P
Parking
1
Jenolan Caves House
souvenirs & Bistro
i
Ticket Office / Guides
2
Blue Lake
P
Picnic Facilities
3
Grand Arch
4
Carlotta Arch
5
Devils Coach House
6
Devils Coach House
Lookdown
Jenolan River
Roads
Further information on
extended walking tracks is
available from the Guides Office
Jenolan corporate experiences & retreats
co r por at e
Specially developed cave tours for children
Grand dining with regional fare, warm
aged 7-11, during NSW school holidays
country hospitality and a well stocked bar
www.jenolancaves.org.au or call 1300 76 3311
caves
h istory at jenolan
Mural wall with artist Tom Brown
For tens of thousands of years, Jenolan has been part of local indigenous
culture. This beautiful, mysterious place holds special significance to the
Gundungurra people who knew it as ‘Binomil’ or ‘Bin-oo-mur’.
Gundungurra people’s knowledge of the caves goes back a long way
as there is a dreamtime creation story about how this whole countryside
came into being. The story describes an almighty struggle between two
ancestral creator spirits: one a giant eel-like creature, Gurangatch, an
incarnation of the ancestral rainbow serpent; the other, Mirragan, a large
native cat or quoll. An elder of the Gundungurra, Billy lynch, recalled in the
early years of the 20th century that “the old natives knew the Caves. They
penetrated them as far as the subterranean water, carrying sick people to
be bathed in this water, which they believed to have great curative powers.
Sick people were carried there from considerable distances”.
Visitors in the Grand Arch
The Indigenous connection to the Caves is told as part of the healing
waters app, features in the new Gundungurra cultural commentary audio
guide tour and is the subject of the mural in the shelter shed precinct.
The first Europeans to make their way across the Blue Mountains arrived
in this area in 1813. In the 1830’s a colourful legend grew up that an
escaped convict named McKeown hid out in the wild valleys of the district,
robbing farmers and travellers. Settlers James and Charles Whalan
tracked McKeown to this valley, finding not only him but the Grand Arch
and Devils Coach House Cave.
Cave exploration
A developing interest in geology and natural science at that time was at
least in part responsible for the increasing number of visitors to the caves
in the 1800s. Charles Whalan and his sons continued exploring the area
and between 1840 and 1860 they had not only discovered the Arch, Elder
and Lucas caves but had become unofficial guides to the many tourists
who wanted to visit what were then known as the ‘Fish River Caves’ – later
as ‘Binda Caves’ and then Jenolan Caves.
Intrepid visitors would walk or ride to the caves, camp for the night in the
Grand Arch, and crawl into the caves with nothing but candles for illumination.
Concern began to grow regarding damage to the caves and the possibility
of mining operations culminating in the caves and surrounding area being
gazetted as a reserve. This occured in 1867, after years of agitation
by regular cave visitor and Member of Parliament John Lucas, after
whom Lucas Cave was renamed. This official protection predates the
establishment of the world’s first national park by more than five years.
Early visitors to Jenolan
Jeremiah Wilson was appointed first ‘Keeper of the Caves’ in 1866 and
in thirty years of service, built the first guest accommodation, installed
underground infrastructure and discovered the Mammoth, Imperial, Chifley
and Jubilee Caves.
Shortly after his hotel was destroyed by fire, Wilson’s services were
terminated and his brother Fred was appointed as Caves Caretaker, a role
he filled from 1897 to 1903.
James ‘Voss’ Wiburd gained the prestigious title of Caretaker in 1903 and
served that role until 1932. He and Jack Edwards are the most renowned
of Jenolan’s early explorers being credited with the discovery of some of
the most beautiful caves, including the Temple of Baal, Orient and River.
Jenolan Caves House
Wiburd was a passionate campaigner for environmental awareness and
protection as well as a courageous explorer. Even today cave explorers,
traversing the most difficult passages of what they believe a new
discovery, are frustrated to find his initials already neatly pencilled there.
Since Wiburd left in 1932 Jenolan’s guides and specialist caving
clubs have made many more discoveries. Over 300 caves have been
documented and more are added each year.
The architectural charm of Caves House dominates the visitor precinct.
The first part of this imposing hotel was built in 1896 and additions to the
rambling structure were made up until 1923. Modern amenities have since
been added but the rich Victorian ambience has been retained, particularly
in the foyer, grand dining room and other public spaces.
jenolan
geology & cave formation
340 million years of history
– the world’s oldest caves!
The rocky foundation of the area in which the caves have
been formed is limestone, formed very slowly through the
accumulation of layer upon layer of sediments that have been
compressed and compacted in a process called ‘bedding’. The
sediment that makes up Jenolan’s limestone consists mostly of
the mineral calcite, or calcium carbonate.
Calcium carbonate is made primarily from fragments of
seashells and coral, which tells us the area that is now
Jenolan Caves once lay below a warm, shallow sea. Fossils
of the early sea creatures are clearly visible in sections of the
limestone and these fossils suggest that Jenolan’s limestone is
very old – possibly around 430 million years.
The great, slow movement of the earth’s continental plates
lifted, tilted and folded the limestone and, in some cases,
cracked the original horizontal layers. You may be able to see
some of these cracks (called joints) and the original layers
which are now almost vertical.
Landscapes such as this are known as ‘karst’. The Jenolan
karst landscape is dominated by a band of limestone almost 9
kilometres long and 300 metres wide.
In karst regions most of the drainage is underground. Streams
flowing into the area sink through cracks in the rocks,
dissolving the limestone, over time, and travelling through
subterranean channels, creating caves. Limestone caves are
created when rainwater combines with carbon dioxide from the
atmosphere, and then more carbon dioxide and organic acids
from plant material in the soil that it passes through.
This carbonic acid, though diluted enough to be drinkable,
is able to dissolve limestone, slowly and over many years,
as it flows through joints in the rock. The river that carved
the Devils Coach House hasn’t gone away. It now runs deep
underground and can be seen on several of the cave tours.
Recent studies by geologists, using potassium-argon testing on
clay sediments in the caves, have shown that some of these
caves are more than 340 million years old, placing them as the
oldest known caves in the world.
In the caves you will see countless numbers of wondrous
shapes, some on the walls or floor and others hanging from
the roof. They’re all called speleothems, or ‘cave forms’. In all
of their beauty we see the results of the interaction between
water, limestone, gravity and time.
Slightly acidic water containing dissolved carbon dioxide
seeps down through the limestone. As it moves slowly down
it dissolves the limestone and then deposits it in the caves
as the crystal calcite. If the water drips slowly into a cave
the crystal is deposited on the ceiling and a stalactite forms.
Water dripping more rapidly deposits crystal on the floor and a
stalagmite begins to grow slowly upward. These may ultimately
join with a stalactite from above to form a column.
Many other amazing shapes can be formed including
canopies, shawls, and flowstone. Particularly mysterious and
beautiful speleothems, known as helictites, and ranging in
growth from thin curly whiskers to snake-like formations up to
a metre long, can be found in many of the caves.
The extreme slowness of the process of forming these
beautiful speleothems is the reason that we are very careful in
the way we treat the caves. Anything that is damaged is lost
to us for many generations and perhaps even for thousands
of years. We can be grateful that Jenolan’s caves have been
protected by strict conservation laws for the past 140 years.
getting around
jenolan village
Cave Guides Office – did you pre-book cave tours? If so, pick up
your tickets here. This is also the Adventure Tours meeting point.
Binoomea Cottage – 2 storey cottage, with 2 extra large and modern,
serviced apartments with fully equipped kitchens. Each sleeps up to 12.
Cave Ticket Office – if you have not pre-booked, buy your cave tours
here. If you have a ‘Jenolan Pass’ pick up your audio device for the
self-guided Nettle Cave Tour. You can also buy souvenirs here.
Resident Guest Parking (free) – check in first at Caves House hotel
front foyer and ask where you should unload your luggage, then drive
up the hill to the back of the hotel complex to park.
Bistro – Caves House terrace – convenient, open daily for hot and
cold food and drinks.
Museum – old post office
Caving Shed – old school house
Caves House – if staying overnight, check in at the front foyer.
Stay in atmospheric guest rooms. Famous for romance and fun
family holidays. Formal function rooms and professional staff
ensure successful weddings or conferences. Visiting for the day?
Please wander through our public rooms, book dinner or your
future stay.
Binoomea Cut
Jenolan Caves Cottages – 8 fully
equipped, self-contained, 2-bedroom
cottages within a huge nature reserve,
8km from the caves – lots of kangaroos
and other wildlife.
Cave Tour Assembly Points – there are
3. One is opposite the Guides Office
and the other 2 are inside the Grand
Arch – all are clearly signposted.
Souvenir Shop – purchase mementos from Things Jenolan
including postcards, jewellery, t-shirts, caps, art and much more.
Award-winning Chisolm’s Restaurant – upstairs in Caves House
hotel – open daily for breakfast and dinner – all are welcome.
Edwardian magnificence, fine wine and a warm fire. Relax with a
drink at the cosy bar. Great for annual dinners, Christmas parties,
anniversaries and 21sts!
Public Toilets
Gatehouse – budget, self-catered ‘backpacker’ style rooms, 4-6
guests each (double beds & bunks), shared bathrooms and
facilities – up to 66 guests. Fun for families, friends or schools.
Disabled Toilet
Mountain Lodge – modern, spacious, fully-serviced studio
apartments with ensuites, TVs, phones and kitchenettes.
Information, Guides Office
Free Parking, for day visitors
Wallaby Hall – large informal function area (with
toilets and small kitchen) for casual functions, activities
or meetings – great for families, clubs or schools.
Disabled Parking
ON
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blue lake
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IMPORTANT CONSIDERATIONS
To protect these wonderful, fragile caves and this protected wilderness reserve – and for your safety and the welfare of others:
• Do not touch the decorations and features in caves • Do not eat, smoke or use mobile phones in caves • On guided tours, stay
with the group • Do not feed or disturb birds or wild animals in the reserve • Put all litter in bins provided or take it with you
• Park vehicles in the designated car parks • Visit the toilets before joining your cave tour
To fully enjoy your caves experience:
• Allow sufficient time to do your selected cave tour and the complimentary self-guided tour of the Devils Coach House and Nettle Cave
• Check the signboard near the shelter shed for special events and other announcements
Jenolan Caves is a wildlife refuge area. No domestic animals except guide, service or hearing dogs are allowed onto the Caves Reserve.
www.jenolancaves.org.au 1300 76 3311
published May 2014