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 Frequently Asked Questions
TRAVELLING
GENERAL INFORMATION
SUPPLIES
ACCOMMODATION
CAMPING
CAVES
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Frequently Asked Questions
TRAVELLING
GENERAL INFORMATION
SUPPLIES
ACCOMMODATION
CAMPING
CAVES
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Abercrombie Caves are located 12 km south of the village of Trunkey Creek on the Bathurst / Goulburn Road CLICK for more information. A Road map is available - CLICK HERE
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Many of the GPS navigators have problems locating Abercrombie Caves.
Entering "Abercrombie Caves", "Abercrombie" or "Abercrombie KCR" (Karst Conservation Reserve) may give you misleading results; However if you program your navigator to go to Trunkey Creek or Tuena, normal road signs will point the way!
"The most successful entry on my GPS navigator is:- Suburb = "Abercrombie River" : Street = "Caves Road" - that gets me half way down the hill to the caves." - Barry
WARNING: Do not confuse Abercrombie Caves with Abercrombie River National Park - they are two separate parks which are 80 km apart !
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Average travel times to Abercrombie Caves from
Sydney - around 4 to 4� hours
Goulburn - about 2 hours
Crookwell - about 1 hour 20 mins
Tuena - 20 mins
Trunkey Creek - 15 mins
Lithgow - about 1� hours
Bathurst - about 1 hour
Blayney - about 45 mins.
Orange - 1 hour 10 mins
Cowra - 1 hour 15 mins
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Travelling from the north via Bathurst, Blayney, or Orange the roads are fully sealled all the way to the caves.
Travelling from the south via Goulburn, Crookwell and Binda, there is only 10 km of the road which remains gravel. It is usually in good condition and suitable for all vehicles.
Travelling from the east via Oberon, Black Springs and Burraga, the road is unsealled from Burraga to the Bathurst/Goulburn Road. This road is also narrow and twisty with several creek fords.
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Sorry you can only get to the Abercrombie Caves by private transport.
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The Caves Reserve is open every day for camping, bushwalking, picnicking and Cave Tours. (No Cave Tours available on Christmas Day)
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The Caves Visitor Centre is open every day (except Christmas day) Opening hours are 9:00am to 4:30pm.
The visitor centre may close for short periods during the day so that staff can carry out maintenance, cleaning, or guiding duties
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The NSW National Parks Pass allows free vehicle access to some National Parks. There is NO vehicle entry Fee for the Reserve at Abercrombie Caves. So the Parks Pass is not required.
Fees for Camping, accommodation and Cave Entry apply and are not covered by the Parks Pass.
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Yes, you can pay by MASTERCARD, VISA and EFTPOS cards for most sales over $10.00.
Sorry we cannot give any cash out. - Nearest ATMs are in Blayney or Bathurst.
EFTPOS cards are not accepted for "over the phone" or mail order transactions.
Sorry - we do not accept other credit cards (e.g. American Express, Diners etc.) |
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Sorry - no!. The Caves are out of range, and we are deep in a valley.
A coin operated public phone is available at the visitor centre.
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No. Pets of any kind are not permitted on the Abercrombie Karst Conservation Reserve.
Disability assistance animals (guide dogs etc.) are, of course, allowed with their owner.
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All the animals and birds on this reserve are wild animals roaming free, so it's not a good idea to try to feed them.
Native animals are protected, so please try not to disturb them.
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Sorry No! Unregistered motorbikes or unregistered motor vehicles of any kind are not permitted on this Reserve. No offroading! Normal road rules must be observed, and are enforceable.
For those keen on trailbike riding - take a look at www.binacrombi.com.au
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Yes, you can ride your pushbike on the roads in this Reserve, but as this is a public Reserve all road rules are enforceable. Bike riders (both children and adults) MUST wear helmets when riding on the roads. Please ride in a way that is safe for you and others on the Park.
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There is is special area of the bed of Grove Creek set aside for gold panning. Please ask Park staff when you arrive. You can't use metal detectors or other equipment. A licence is not required.
Grove Creek has alluvial gold and also small gem stones such as garnet, zircon, quartz and saphire.
Gold pans are available for hire for a small charge.
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Grove Creek is open for fishing for Rainbow Trout from midnight on the Friday of the October long-weekend until Midnight on the Monday of the June Long-weekend. The only restricted area where fishing is not permitted is within 100 metres of the Abercrombie Archway.
A Fishing Licence is required. (Sorry we do not sell Fishing Licences at Abercrombie Caves) Please note that all normal fishing regulations must be observed. The use of yabby traps are illegal in Grove Creek.
During the recent 10 year drought Grove Creek has been completely dry as far as the Waterfalls several times. As a result fishing in Grove Creek will be a fairly unrewarding experience at present. You may have more luck fishing at the Abercrombie River which is only 10km to the south of the Caves - Barry
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The picnic area has $1 coin operated electric barbecues all under shelter. There are plenty of picnic tables which are pleasantly shaded by the surrounding trees. A large eating shelter is good in case of bad weather. Proper flush toilets are close by (no pit toilets here!). A small kiosk offers sweets, soft drinks and souvenirs.
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If you can read PDF files, most of our maps and leaflets are downloadable HERE (a FREE PDF reader can also be downloaded if needed) OR you can contact our office and we will post them out to you.
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The nearest fuel is available at TUENA which is about 20km to the south of the Caves. (closed on Sundays)
To the North fuel is available at BLAYNEY (60Km) or BATHURST (80km)
REMEMBER to fill up with fuel before you go to the caves as fuel is not available at the caves
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Groceries are not available at the Visitor Centre, although we do try to keep a small supply of long life milk and frozen bread in stock. The well stocked Tuena General Store about 20km south of the caves carries most items. Full supermarket facilities, and ATM's are available in Blayney (60km) or Bathurst (80km)
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Sorry the kiosk only has sweets, drinks and souvenirs. No hot food. Why not bring a few steaks and enjoy a barbecue picnic?
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We accept bookings for accommodation up to six months ahead.
Bookings for Easter Weekend open on 1st October - Bookings for October long-weekend open on 1st April
To book accommodation please phone the Caves office on (02) 6368 8603 between 9:00am and 4:30pm
A non-refundable deposit equivalent to the cost of the first night is required within seven days of making the booking to secure your accommodation. (Cheque, Mastercard or Visa are all OK)
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You will need to bring your own bed linen (i.e. sheets, pillowslips etc) or sleeping bags.
You will also need towels and your own food including milk. We supply a tea towel, washing up stuff and a small supply of tea, coffee, and sugar.
There is no Tv reception so if you need entertainment don't forget your portable DVD machine and DVD's!
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For cabin or cottage accommodation you can check-in during office hours any time after 2.00pm daily.
If you want to check-in after hours then please make arrangements with our Visitor Centre by phone on the day of arrival to arrange pick up of the keys.
Check-out is before 10:00am on the day of departure, unless arrangements have been made in advance for a late check-out (when available- a late check-out fee applies). We need time to service the accommodation before the next guests arrive!
For camping, you can set up your campsite at any time. However you will need to register at the visitor centre during office hours. Check-out before 4.00pm on the day of departure.
Even though you may have checked out of accommodation or camping you are welcome to stay and enjoy the Reserve for the rest of the day.
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There is no booking system for camping at Abercrombie Caves - First come, First served!
We have 60 unpowered bush sites and are rarely close to full.
The only really busy weekends are Easter and the October long weekend. It's probably a good idea to arrive a day or so early for a camping spot during these two weekends
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As at 1 January 2012 the cost is $12 per person per night.
Special rate for two adults and two school children is $30 per night (children under 5 FREE)
Group rates are available on application
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There are fireplaces throughout the camping area. Please do not build your own!
Campfires (or more correctly - cooking fires) are allowed in the camping area but this is subject to any Fire Bans that may be placed by the Fire Authorities OR National Park Authorities - Please check with staff!
REMEMBER: Firewood is in short supply at the Caves - BRING YOUR OWN FIREWOOD
Check todays FIRE DANGER RATING CLICK HERE Abercrombie Caves is in Fire Area 10 - Central Ranges
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 NO CHAINSAWS |
No. Sorry but the use of chainsaws at the Caves is not permitted
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NO CHAINSAWS |
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Yes! You are welcome to bring most types of Caravan, camper trailer, or campervan to camp at the caves, as long as you are self sufficient (Sorry No powered sites). If you are unsure about bringing your caravan because of a large size or because of concern about the road down to the caves, please contact us.
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Sorry, there are no powered campsites at Abercrombie Caves
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Although we allow the use of generators, we do not encourage their use, as the noise they create often upset both the wildlife and other campers. Please do not use your generator during busier holiday times.
If you do decide to use your generator, then please consider other campers and turn it off after 9:30pm.
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Yes. All water is UV treated and regularly tested by the Health Department.
Water is drawn from a cave below the creek, so the water is naturally filtered. There are no added chemicals. No Chlorine! The water does contain a high amount of dissolved calcium.
"Personally, I recon that our water is better than most Town Water!!" -Barry
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There are two amenities blocks which have hot showers and normal flush toilets. A third block near the visitor centre has toilets and $1 coin operated laundry facilities
Eating shelters with $1 coin operated electric barbecues are located near the visitor centre.
A public phone is located outside the Visitor Centre (coins only)
A member of Park Staff lives on site to assist with any after hours problems.
Firewood is not available - bring your own.
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Yes! There is a fee to go on all cave tours. Prices start at $18 per adult and go up depending on the tour.
For more information CLICK HERE or contact us.
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In the Archway Cave the temperature is about the same as shaded areas outside - not cold.
In Bushrangers and Grove Cave it's usually about 13�C. At the top of Belfrey Cave is around 19�C
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Footwear is the most important. We recommend covered footwear for all cave tours for safety.
You will also need some protection from the sun and rain whilst you are walking on the surface -.
Inside the caves you can wear whatever you are comfortable in. The temperature inside the Archway is close to the same as the outside shaded areas. Although it's a bit cooler in other caves you are not usually in these cooler temperatures for long enough for you to feel uncomfortable. Take a light jumper if you feel the cold.
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We don't know - 'cos we haven't discovered them yet ! But seriously, we are sure that we have not yet discovered everything - we may never know all the answers, but what we have discovered have been fully explored and documented.
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Not a good idea! It is very dangerous (not to mention illegal) to explore any caves on your own.
To enter any cave at Abercrombie Caves you need a permit. You can purchase a ticket (a show cave permit) to view a show cave. Most show caves are with a guide, however, the Archway Cave is a self-guided tour. There are strict conditions of entry for these tours.
To explore the "wild caves" groups can apply for a special exploration permit - again strict conditions apply.
There are heavy fines for entering any cave illegally (i.e. without a permit)
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A Karst area is an area of limestone that may, or may not, contain caves.
Abercrombie Caves is a Karst area - we are officially known as the Abercrombie Karst Conservation Reserve.
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KARST |
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