Wombeyan Caves

We had a great long weekend with friends at Wombeyan Caves in October 2012 about an hour out from Goulbourn.  It was following a cold snap so there was still snow on the side of the road going in to the camping grounds - we 
were sensibly 'glamping' in cabins!  

The grounds are lovely busy on Sat but deserted by Sun so we had the place to ourselves and managed to scavenge firewood (you have to bring your own) to light a large fire on Sunday night for marshmallows on sticks and poking for sparks lots of fun.  This was following the kids amazing evening entertainment show that they worked on all afternoon.  Lots of acrobatics, swirling glow sticks and pole dancing which was the highlight!

The Caves are brilliant probably better than Jenolan (even though I like the caves guest house) they seem less managed and more adventurous to explore.

The limestone caves at Wombeyan were discovered in 1828 by Oxley the explorer then the first caretaker was appointed in 1865.  Explored only by candle and magnesium flares, electricity was put on in 1928.  We had the most enthusiastic cave guide who was the 'Steve Irwin' of caves - the kids were completely engaged and loving the detail.

We explored the Wollondilly Cave and did the self guided Figtree Cave lots of ladders, caverns and formations.  The caves were formed by water trickling through the cracks in the limestone over time creating the connecting caves and formations.  The water combines with the carbon dioxide to form an acid which dissolves the stone, it takes hundreds of thousands of years to form some of the amazing structures.  Lots to ponder about our existence in the timeline! mere spec.

Holly, Hollander, Oren and Luke waiting to go into the Wollondily Cave.

Hollander and Holly (their mothers were friends at school!)

The bonfire! marshmallows on sticks and wine yeah 

Primeval instincts were brought fourth with the mesmerising fire. 

One of the ancient stalactites that had fallen in an earth quake showing its cross section.

The shawls

A complete column one drip at a time!

The 'Bee Hive' formation.

The 'Virgin Mary'

The kids walking through the Fig Tree Cave.

The beautiful camping ground surrounds at Wombeyan.

Lots of kangaroos and poo! Luke managed to sneak up on a few and touch them.

Holly in the old quarry.

Exploring the abandoned marble quarry near by.