The Caves at Jenolan

There are many caves at Jenolan, although you have to ask yourself what constitutes a cave. Speleologists (people who research caves) tend to record a cave as being a significant feature which comprises part of the limestone landscape which has formed as a result of water dissolving the rock. For this reason dolines (depressions in the ground often with caves leading off from them) will be included when the total number of cave or karst features are counted. There are over 400 karst features recorded at Jenolan of which most are caves ranging from a few metres in length up to several kilometres long. Of these, 12 are regularly shown to the public. This page describes each of them.

Lucas Cave - The most popular cave at Jenolan. It was discovered in January 1860 by George Whiting and Nicholas Irwin. It was opened to the public as soon as it was found. It includes the Cathedral, Anteroom, Bone Cave and Exhibition Chamber - the largest chamber at Jenolan. The underground river is also seen. The cave is 528 metres long and the tour covers 860 metres. There are 910 steps in this cave.

Imperial Cave - This cave was found in February 1879 by Jeremiah Wilson and opened to the public shortly after. It contains the Woolshed, Ridley's Shortcut , and the Showroom. A good viewing is made of the underground river. The cave is sometimes shown as the Diamond Cave and when this is done the tour includes the Diamond Branch and Nellies Grotto. Including the Diamond, the cave is 490 metres long and the tour cover 1070 metres. It includes 358 steps.

Chifley Cave - This cave was found in 1880 with subsequent sections being found in 1881 and 1884. The cave was opened to the public as it was explored. It was found by Jeremiah Wilson. It includes the Margherita, Madonna, Lucinda Chambers and Katies Bower. The cave is regarded as the first cave anywhere in the world to be lit by electric light, back in 1881. The cave is 465 metres long with 679 steps.

Orient Cave - This cave was found on 30th July 1904 by James Wiburd and opened to the public 28th December 1917. It includes the Bats End, Persian Egyptian and Indian Chambers and the Well. The cave is 175 metres long and the tour is 470 metres long with 358 steps.

Temple of Baal - This cave was found by James Wiburd in 1904 and opened to the public on 30th October 1909. It includes the Temple and Moloch's Grotto. The tour spends most of its time walking around the Temple chamber, viewing it from a variety of angles. Some of Jenolan's best helictite formations are in this cave. The cave is 150 metres long and the tour is 365 metres long. The cave contains 288 steps.

River Cave - This cave was found by James Wiburd in 1903 and opened to the public in 1904. It includes the Tower Chambers, Pool of Reflections, Queens Canopy, Queen Esther's Chamber, Mons Meg and the Olympia Cavern. The cave is 401 metres long and the tour is 1271 metres long. It includes 1332 steps.

Pool of Cerberus - This cave was found in 1903 by James Wiburd and was opened to the public in December 1905. The cave is 133 metres long and the tour is 1017 metres long. The approach to the cave is made through the Lucas and then into the start of the River Cave. It includes some beautiful views of large underground lakes. The cave contains 722 steps.

Jubilee Cave - This cave was found by Jeremiah Wilson in 1893 and further sections in 1894. It was opened to the public in September 1898. It includes visits to Cooks Cavern, Victoria's Bower, Alabaster Hall and the Water Cavern. The cave is 300 metres long and the tour covers 1575 metres. It contains 679 steps.

Elder Cave - This cave was found in 1856 and was immediately inspected by visitors. It was one of the first caves to be found at Jenolan. It was never developed with paths or lights. For many years it was not shown to the public but in the 1990's tours started to be run where people wore overalls, helmets and lights and got to see what it felt like to be an explorer. These days the tour is called the Plughole Tour and is classified as an Adventure Tour. Other adventure tours at Jenolan inspect the Mammoth and Aladdin Caves.

To find out more about the tourist caves of Jenolan you may wish to visit the Tourist Section of this website,.