Abercrombie Caves

The Abercrombie Caves, contained within the Abercrombie Karst Conservation Reserve, are a series of limestone arch caves that are located in the Central West region of New South Wales, Australia. The caves are renowned for their karst qualities, namely the formation that has been eroded by water action that has developed from a sinkhole to become a blind valley. Several good examples of crayback formations exist in both entrances.

Abercrombie Caves
Entrance to Abercrombie Caves, undated.
LocationBathurst, New South Wales, Australia
Coordinates33.91144°S 149.35938°E / -33.91144; 149.35938
Discovery1842 – W. R. Davidson[1]
GeologyLimestone
AccessPublic
Show cave length221 m (725 ft)[2]
FeaturesThe Archway – the largest natural arch in the southern hemisphere
WebsiteAbercrombie Caves at NSW NPWS
Abercrombie Karst Conservation Reserve
New South Wales
IUCN category III (natural monument or feature)
Abercrombie Karst Conservation Reserve
Nearest town or cityBathurst
Coordinates33°54′41.18″S 149°21′33.77″E
EstablishedDecember 1997 (1997-12)[3]
Area14.34 km2 (5.5 sq mi)[3]
Managing authorities
WebsiteAbercrombie Karst Conservation Reserve
See alsoProtected areas of
New South Wales

The 1,434-hectare (3,540-acre) reserve is situated 75 kilometres (47 mi) south of Bathurst and 125 kilometres (78 mi) north of Goulburn, near the small village of Trunkey Creek. The caves are registered as a natural heritage site on the Register of the National Estate for its large diversity of karst morphological and sedimentological features. Camping in the reserve is permitted, with sixty campground sites and two cottages. The caves are open seven days a week during school holidays; and closed on Monday and Tuesday during school terms.

Features

The most popular feature of the Abercrombie Caves is The Archway – the largest natural arch in the southern hemisphere. Within The Archway cave is the gold miners dance platform built in January 1880 by gold miners, replacing a platform built in the 1860s, the 1880s platform is still used for performances to this day including the annual Carols in the Caves performance.

Other caves within the reserve are King Solomon's Temple, Cathedral Cave, Grove Cave, and the Bushranger's Cave.[4]

History

It is believed that a tourist party visited the caves in 1834 but the Caves were not 'officially' discovered until 1842 by Surveyor W. R. Davidson. Surveyor Wells discovered the Koh-i-noor, Bushranger, Long Tunnel, and Cathedral caves and the Hall of Terpsichore (The Dance Hall) in 1843. Explorer William Wentworth and Governor Charles Fitzroy visited Abercrombie Caves in 1844.[1]

It is believed that various bushrangers used the caves as a hideout during the 1800s. The earliest known is the Ribbon Gang who used the caves in 1830.[1]

Gold was discovered in the area in 1854. A gold exploration community was established at Mount Gray, just above the caves. Miners from many of the surrounding communities would often visit the caves for recreation.

The caves were originally known as Burragylong Caverns and during the mining period they became known as Abercrombie caves.

Vandalism occurred in the early days when many pieces of white marble were carted away by the visitors as souvenirs and the miners damaged many of the formations by firing rifles at them. Some graffiti name carvings can still be seen inside the caves from the 19th century period.[1]

See also

References
  1. "Abercrombie Karst Conservation Reserve: Culture and history". Office of Environment and Heritage. Government of New South Wales. Retrieved 26 January 2012.
  2. "Abercrombie Karst Conservation Reserve: Why you should visit". NSW National Parks & Wildlife Service. Government of New South Wales. Retrieved 26 September 2014.
  3. "Abercrombie Karst Conservation Reserve: Park management". Office of Environment and Heritage. Government of New South Wales. Retrieved 26 September 2014.
  4. "Abercrombie Caves". The Sydney Morning Herald. 13 November 2008. Archived from the original on 20 August 2010. Retrieved 26 January 2012.



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