EXPLORE MORE AT WELLINGTON CAVES WITH THUNDER CAVE REOPENING
Visitors to Wellington Caves can now explore more with the reopening of Thunder Cave.
From Monday 2 October, Thunder Cave will reopen to the public for the first time since repair works were undertaken, following damage to the cave in 2020.
Wellington Caves Complex Coordinator Michelle Tonkins said staff are looking forward to welcoming visitors back to Thunder Cave.
"The area has been closed off to guests for over three years due to aging infrastructure, the pandemic and challenges with sourcing a contractor to take on the specialised repair work," Ms Tonkins said.
"The old staircase was rusted through in different locations, so it has been replaced and access to Thunder Cave is now via a brand new staircase."
"We're excited for visitors to experience this chamber's amazing sounds and sights after such a long wait."
Thunder Cave is located on the lowest level of Cathedral Cave, where tours had been restricted due to flooding events in 2022 and resumed in July this year.
"We can now offer tours with access to all three levels of the underground experience, including Thunder Cave, which is a significant highlight."
"The acoustics and reverberation of sound within the small chamber are amazing, hence the name Thunder Cave," Ms Tonkins said.
The Cathedral Cave Tour, which incorporates Thunder Cave, operates multiple times a day during the school holidays and takes guests over 40m below the surface into the cave, which showcases a limestone and crystal formation reaching 15m in height. The Cathedral Cave Tour lasts one hour, costing $29.50 per adult and $14.50 per child, with concession rates available.
In addition to Cave Tours, the Wellington Caves Complex features other family-friendly activities, including the Discovery Lab, the Ancient Landscapes Gallery and the Fossil Trail.
"If you've never been or haven't been for a while, we encourage you to venture out to the caves and enjoy a truly unique experience," Ms Tonkins said.
Dubbo Regional Council was successful in securing funding for the replacement staircase to access Thunder Cave through the NSW Government’s Crown Reserve Improvement Fund.
Bookings are recommended for the Cave Tours and Discovery Lab to avoid disappointment. To book an experience visit www.wellingtoncaves.com.au.
Last Edited: 27 Sep 2023