JoelWhere and How to Get There
Situated 30 minutes north of Rockhampton and 3.5 hours south of Mackay, a stones throw from Mount Etna Caves National Park. You’ll find it on Olsens Road, just off Barmoya Road.
What to Expect
Caves, exploring, tours, cafe, tight spaces, bats.
Where to Stay
Capricorn Caves Tourist Park – from unpowered camping to cabins. Expect to pay between $30-$180.
Click here for a link to the accommodation page.
Ultimate Aussie Bucketlist Experience
This initially wasn’t in our plans, but as we finished at Byfield National Park and Yeppoon, we realised we were driving almost past the Capricorn Caves, so we thought, why not!
We arrived without having a booking or reservation, and were able to secure a spot in a tour in 30 minutes time. It was a weekday, so perhaps it wasn’t too busy BUT, it’s recommended to book online (and it is a little cheaper too!).
There are three tours to choose from:
Cathedral Cave Tour
- 45 minutes
- All ages and wheelchair friendly
- Cost
- Family Pass (2 adults & 2 children) $80
- Adults $32.50
- Children (4 -15 years) $16.50
- 0-3 free
- Adult Concession $29.50
This is the tour suitable for anyone as you won’t have crawl around on your stomach or get in to some tight spaces.
Capricorn Explorer
- 90 minutes
- Ages 5 and up
- Cost
- Adults $55
- Children $27.50
- Family $159
Put on your helmet and head torch for this one. There will be stairs and rocks to climb, and even the option of passing through a passage on your stomach.
Capricorn Adventurer
- 120 minutes
- Ages 10 and up
- Cost
- $70pp
Explore the most remote sections of the caves where your headlamp is the only source of light. Expert adventure guides assist you through some of our most incredible and challenging caves such as Jack’s Beanstalk and Fat Man’s Misery. Emerge from the darkness for the most spectacular 360-degree views looking over Mt Etna National Park and Baga National Park.
Click here for a link to the booking page.
We chose the Capricorn Explorer (I couldn’t convince my wife to try the adventurer tour), and we really enjoyed it. It’s perfect for those who like to learn about the caves and also have the opportunity to get a little dirty.
90 minutes goes very fast, but in that time we learnt about ancient animals and plants, how the caves were formed, and also got to witness some of the animals living in the caves.
Toward the end of the tour we had the opportunity to choose to go through a narrow bit of cavern. Of course we had to try it! As it loops around, there was one part where we had to fit through a gap with a puddle of water underneath – almost everyone got their pants or part of their shirt wet! All a part of the experience!
We’d like to go back one day and try the Capricorn Adventurer.
Ultimate Aussie Bucketlist
