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Yarrangobilly Caves

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The Yarrangobilly Caves

The Yarrangobilly Caves are an immense network of underground caves in Australia. There are a total of six caves which can be visited by the public. The 470 metre long South Glory Cave is a self guided cave, Jersey Cave, Jillabenan Cave and the North Glory Cave are all guided caves with tours leaving at various times throughout the day. These caves are all electrically lit, but there are also two caves, Harrie Wood Cave and Castle Cave, which are unlit and can be visited by appointment.

Find Your Way To Yarrangobilly Caves

They are located in the northern part of the Kosciuszko National Park in the Snowy Mountains region. This is located in south eastern New South Wales, Australia. Only a short drive from the nation's capital city, Canberra. I visited the caves in January 2011 while on a camping trip at nearby Jindabyne in the south of the Kosciuszko National Park.

Caves House

Visit The Caves In Style

The largest building at Yarrangobilly is Caves House, built in 1901 when the caves were the most popular tourist resort in New South Wales. You can experience the comfortable isolation of the picturesque Yarrangobilly area in your own self-contained wing of this historic building. Rates are from $180 per night.

The Castle Cave

This cave is an unlit one and needs an special appointment with the New South Wales Parks and Wildlife Service to go and visit it. Helmets and lights are provided and they require a minimum of eight people to run the tour.
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Thermal Pools

Another Feature Of the Caves

Yarrangobilly also has a spring fed natural thermal pool which is a constant 27 degrees Celsius. This still felt cool to me at first but it was a hot day so that is only natural.

Yarrangobilly also has a spring fed natural thermal pool which is a constant 27 degrees Celsius. This still felt cool to me at first but it was a hot day so that is only natural.

Yarrangobilly also has a spring fed natural thermal pool which is a constant 27 degrees Celsius. This still felt cool to me at first but it was a hot day so that is only natural.
The water continually flows through the upper pool and then into a lower pool which is great for younger children to swim in. The water was very relaxing to swim in and being rich in minerals, it left me feeling great.
The spring then empties out into the Yarrangobilly River at this scenic bend. The path continues along this gorgeous river before climbing back up to the entrance to the North and South Glory Caves.

I Recommend Hiking Boots For Walking The Caves

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The South Glory Cave

A Self Guided Tour

This pool was just inside the entrance to the cave next to a huge mound of rubble that fell into the cave when a hole was formed in the ceiling of the entrance cavern.

This pool was just inside the entrance to the cave next to a huge mound of rubble that fell into the cave when a hole was formed in the ceiling of the entrance cavern.

This pool was just inside the entrance to the cave next to a huge mound of rubble that fell into the cave when a hole was formed in the ceiling of the entrance cavern.
This is the hole in the ceiling of the entrance cavern.
Entering the deeper parts of the cave.
There are many pools of water throughout the cave and eerie sound of dripping water is ever present.
There are many strange and wonderful shapes in the rock walls.
There are many strange and wonderful shapes in the rock walls.
There are many strange and wonderful shapes in the rock walls.
This is me being kind of spooky.
It is amazing what water and minerals can create over time.
The scenes in this cave are incredible. The camera does not do them justice.

Definition of SPELUNKING

The hobby or practice of exploring caves.

More Of The South Glory Cave

This cave was first explored in 1834

The way that steps have been carved into the strange shapes surrounding them, gives the place an almost fake film set kind of look. It is amazing that nature can create such marvellous things.

The way that steps have been carved into the strange shapes surrounding them, gives the place an almost fake film set kind of look. It is amazing that nature can create such marvellous things.

The way that steps have been carved into the strange shapes surrounding them, gives the place an almost fake film set kind of look. It is amazing that nature can create such marvellous things.
You have to duck your head in a few spots, but it is mostly pretty roomy under there.
The steps leading out to the exit.
The view that greets you when you step outside again.
Looking back at the exit to the cave which is in the base of this huge rock.

Is Caving Your Thing?

Do you like spelunking?

There are a lot of people out there who have a genuine fear of going underneath the earth. Quite understandable really as that is where most of us go when we die.

Are You Brave Enough To Go Underground?

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No way, I am not crazy enough to go into caves. Anything could happen.

Yes, I have no issues with going underground. I am a spelunker from way back.

 

Caves House And Surrounding Countryside

Myself and my family all had a fantastic time visiting these caves. I would love to return someday and explore some of the other caves that have guided tours as they look amazing from what I have seen of them. The self guided tour of the thermal pools, the walk along the river and then up through the South Glory Cave was well worth the drive there though too. It is an incredible place that I recommend visiting if you get the chance.

Headlamps are extremely handy for spelunking

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People in Tight Spots

I feel sick and claustrophobic just looking at the pictures of some of these spelunkers in this video. I can feel the sense of panic in my body as I begin to imagine myself getting stuck underground.
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Find out more on the caves here

Yarrangobilly Caves
NSW Parks and Wildlife Service website.
Yarrangobilly Caves | Snowy Mountains
Cave details on www.snowymountains.com.au
Yarrangobilly Caves on Wikipedia
Yarrangobilly Caves from Wikipedia, the free encyclopaedia
Yarrangobilly Caves - Tumut Attraction - Visit NSW
Located in the northern end of the Kosciuszko National Park, the Yarrangobilly Caves are set inside the deep gorges and rugged bluffs of the Yarrangobilly

Books On Spelunking

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