Location
The world renowned Jenolan Caves are the worlds oldest caves in the world dating back 340 million years. These ancient caves stretch over 30.83 km² of the Jenolan area in NSW. The 11 caves that make up Jenolan Caves lie just 30 km east of Oberon and 127 km west of Sydney. |
http://www.lithgow-tourism.com/jenolan/location.htm
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Reasons to visit
There are 10 spectacular caves that are open to the public at Jenolan Caves. The most popular attractions at Jenolan caves are:
There are 10 spectacular caves that are open to the public at Jenolan Caves. The most popular attractions at Jenolan caves are:
The temple of baal cave- This cave is known for its beauty and amazing features. Despite this cave being used as a wedding venue, it is not an actual ‘temple’. Its name was actually inspired by limestone formations which reminded early cave explorers of the story ‘Elijah and the Prophets of Baal’ from the bible. The Temple of Baal cave, features a unique sound and light show and is one of the world's largest cave shawls.
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The orient cave-The Orient is one of the most beautiful caves in the world, richly draped with colourful formations. In 2008, the Orient was upgraded using the newest lighting technology, allowing you to see the cave as its never been seen before. The eco friendly lighting system uses minimal power with minimal heat output, preserving the sensitive cave environment.
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Fossils- Jenolan caves are the oldest caves on the planet dating back 340 million years ago. Each and every day new parts of caves are discovered and opened. With these discoveries comes fossils that have been hidden for million of years. Jenolan caves tour agency offers tours to view and learn about all the discovered fossils in the cave.
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The blue lake-This lake is a man-made lake that is overlooked by Carlotta’s Arch. It was made in 1908 for the generation of electricity. The vibrant blue water is naturally coloured by the refraction of light upon the limestone deposits and bed-rock surrounding the lake. If you are lucky, you might experience a rare sighting of the extremely shy resident platypus.
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Climate and Weather
At the Jenolan Caves the temperature is usually nice all year round. in Summer (December to February) it is warm and dry with reasonably cold nights and in Winter (June to August) it is cold and may lightly snow. But underground the caves have a constant temperature of around 15°C - 16°C. Jenolan caves are stunning all year round but the best time to visit is in the summer months (December-February) when it is nice and warm with some rain. |
Flora and Fauna that can be found in Jenolan caves
The Jenolan Caves are brimming wildlife, fauna and flora that is unique to this unspoilt part of the world.
The Jenolan Caves are brimming wildlife, fauna and flora that is unique to this unspoilt part of the world.
Snow gum (eucalyptus pauciflora)
The Snow Gum also known as the White Sallee, Cabbage Gum, Weeping Gum or Ghost Gum, has beautiful twisted branches and grows to about 30 metres tall. It usually has a slightly crooked trunk and distinctive smooth green, grey and cream bark branches. The leaves on the tree are shiny, thick and waxy. The leaves are linear with a broad curving shape. From October to January, beautiful white flowers start to bloom in large numbers. |
Fauna
Platypus (Ornithorhynchus anatinus) The platypus in Jenolan can be found in the Blue Lake and Jenolan River. The platypus is one of the most unique species in the animal kingdom. Platypi have a beaver like tail; a sleek, furry body like an otter; and a flat bill and webbed feet like a duck. Platypus are one of the only venomous mammals in the world and its also a monotreme which means it lays eggs and produces milk. |
Brush-tail Rock wallaby (Petrogale penicillata)
The Brush-tail Rock Wallaby is a marsupial that lives in the bush above Jenolan Caves, in Jenolan. They mainly feed during the night and early morning to avoid contact with humans. These wallabies are on the endangered list due to loss of habitat, lack of predator control and inbreeding. Generally rock wallabies aren’t friendly so do not try and approach them. |
More about Jenolan caves
-In 2006, Jenolan Caves Trust reopened a cave after it had been closed to the public for 74 years
- Deep inside jenolan caves lies the history of our climate and also the answers to the future climate.
-The caves were first ‘discovered’ by white settlers in 1838 but prior to that the indigenous people of the land new of the caves but saw them as evil.
-In 2006, Jenolan Caves Trust reopened a cave after it had been closed to the public for 74 years
- Deep inside jenolan caves lies the history of our climate and also the answers to the future climate.
-The caves were first ‘discovered’ by white settlers in 1838 but prior to that the indigenous people of the land new of the caves but saw them as evil.
photo links: lucas cave- http://www.mondoimages.com.au/index.php/jenolan-caves/11-photography temple of baal cave- http://www.mondoimages.com.au/index.php/jenolan-caves/11-photography the orient cave- http://andrejilladventures.blogspot.com.au fossils- http://www.geomaps.com.au/scripts/wellingtoncaves.php blue lake- http://www.mondoimages.com.au/index.php/jenolan-caves/11-photography sundews- http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Drosera snow gum- https://www.flickr.com/photos/phunnyfotos/5671466374/ platypus- http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/earth/wildlife/8596068/Duck-billed-platypus-at-risk-from-climate-change.html Brush tail rock wallaby- http://www.cv.wires.org.au/threatened.html