If cave exploring is something you find interesting then the Capricorn Caves are just a 30 minute drive from Rockhampton in Queensland.
Now adventure caving isn't for everyone! I mean if you are claustrophobic, scared of the dark and being in tight places, getting covered in bat shit then this is definitely not for you. But if you enjoy tight holes while covered in bat shit you're in for a treat haha.
The adventure caving is a two hour cave crawl through the Capricorn Caves. Cost is $85 for the guided tour.
This adventure will have you climbing through small holes that you can just get your body through the rocks, sliding on your stomach over piles of bat shit. And eventually arrive at the summit of the capricorn caves.
You start off with a safety briefing and get fitted with a helmet and light. Empty your pockets and tuck your shirt in so you when you're crawling on the ground you won't get dirt (bat shit) down your pants. Then you are good to go!
This caves system is inside a limestone mountain, so we are going up through the cave system instead of going under ground.
As we enter the caves we walk down some stairs then it's game on!!
The guide points to a little hole on the floor and said so who's first??
Haha I looked at it and was like I don't think I will fit through that.. The guide reassured us that it will be fine.
So I got onto my stomach put my hands first through the hole and started to shimmy my way through. It was about a meter long hole then it opens up into a cave that you could stand on your knees to catch your breath then head through the next hole which was just as small.
Now the trick is when you are inside the hole and you feel like you can't move at all and are stuck. Just take a deep breath and remind yourself don't panic you can get through this. Then start wriggling your way through.
It really is a mind game when you're in these tight places in the dark. The want to panic is very strong haha.
The next hole had some water on the bottom as you come out of it so we all got really muddy. The catch is that it's not mud.... It's actually bat shit and water.....
You see the capricorn caves is home to over 110,000 little bent-wing bat's that use this as a maternity site. So that is definitely not mud on the ground 😂
Covered in fecal mater we we got through the puddle which then opened up into a huge cave.
Then we started our ascent to the summit of the mountain.
There was a cave opening in the side of the mountain where we could see the tree tops.
Then through some more cave mud haha
And climbing up the rocks and through the openings
Finally lead us to the guillotine cave.
It gets its name by this huge sharp rock that hangs above just like a guillotine.
We cram ourselves through some more tight holes.
Then find a foot bridge in the next cave
Which leads us out to this big opening with some vines growing down into the hole.
Then we climb up a little bit further and find a way out to the top of the mountain.
We start to rock hop our way to the top. We just have to watch our step as the lime stone is extremely sharp and one wrong move or slip you will cut yourself up pretty bad on these rocks.
On the way we found a python in one of the crevices..
Not a bad view from the top at all😊
We found a skink chilling between the rocks as we made our way back down into the caves.
Our last cave crawl was through the whales belly.
This was an extremely tough crawl through a very small space!
First off you had to climb through a little hole in the rock, then shimmy your way up and over another rock inside. Once that is done you find yourself in a cavity just enough to kneel on the floor. The next step is up through a hole above. There is a rope to help you get through this one and my God this was the most difficult challenge!
Not only do you have to climb up into the hole but once inside there is a rock called the nut cracker.
The perfect name for this rock haha.
This was extremely testing on me, mentally and physically. There was just enough room to go through this hole arms first holding onto the rope to pull you through. The Rock surroundings closed in so tight as I got halfway through, that I could barely wriggle my hips to make centimetres at a time moving forwards. This really plays on my mind and I have to take deep breathe and try not to panic. Whose great idea was this?!?
Once half way there is nothing to push your feet off to help you so your legs are dangling in the air as you twist your hips, centimetre by centimetre until you inevitably reach the nut cracker.
And just as the name suggests I slowly drag the meat and two vege over this horrible obstacle.
Once you past that you can see some light at the end which is the way out to freedom.
This was definitely the most challenging rock crawl I have ever done! But I'm stoked I made it through without a mental breakdown.
Your mind goes to some strange places when you're in tight spaces.
On our way out of the caves it felt like we were in a Indiana Jones movie as we ran along the suspension bridge.
Sweaty and covered in bat shit we had definitely earnt a beer or two.
If you are ever visiting Rockhampton to Queensland Australia definitely add the capricorn caves to your itinerary it's alot of fun!
Happy travels!