extreme Caving adventures

3 Day Flinders Ranges Tour

DAY 1: Depart Adelaide 8:00AM for Wilpena Pound Resort via Port Pirie, Port Germein and Port Augusta (the crossroads of Australia). At Port Augusta we explore the Flinders Ranges and Outback in Wadlata Outback Centre's Tunnel of Time. We discover its origins, the Aboriginal Dreaming, European settlement and much more. After lunch we head towards Wilpena Pound via Quorn and Hawker. From Hawker we visit Kanyaka ruins and Death Rock. If you are feeling energetic perhaps we can climb up to see the Yourambulla Caves, where we view Aboriginal rock painting. We spend tonight at Wilpena Resort. DAY 2: After breakfast we have a peaceful bushwalk to Wangarra Lookouts and the Hill Homestead. After our walk we visit Sacred Canyon and Arkaroo Rock (optional) which are major Aboriginal Art sites. We then travel the geological trail through the Brachina Gorge. This gorge traces the geological history of the area for hundreds of million years. Our next stop is the Prairie Hotel at Parachilna where we taste some Aussie tucker. Blinman is our next destination before returning to Wilpena Resort. DAY 3: Depart Wilpena Resort approximately 9:00AM for Adelaide via Hawker and Quorn. From Quorn we travel through the Southern Flinders Ranges to Wilmington. Adelaide is our next destination via the Germein Gorge. Arrive Adelaide approximately 6:00PM. We reserve the right to alter or modify itinerary if prevailing weather, road conditions or adverse conditions require such change.

4WD Bendethra Valley 2-3 Day Adventure - Canberra

Australia is a continent of diverse scenery and beautiful landscapes, many of which are only accessible by 4wd vehicles. Travelling in the bush and the outback can be exciting and at times dangerous and this gig is a perfect way for you and your mates to test out your 4X4. Deua National Park near Canberra is the setting for this fabulous trip with its quiet forest tracks, yet interesting and exciting 4x4 driving often in low range. The tracks take you deep into a valley with fantastic camp spots by a river, where you can enjoy great walks to caves or go for a little drive. Your fully qualified and experienced personal tour guides are at your side throughout your entire journey. Bring your own 4wd or hire one.

5 Day Best of South Australia Tour

DAY 1: Depart Adelaide approximately 6:45AM for Kangaroo Island. We travel along some of South Australia's magnificent coastline to Cape Jervis where we board the Kangaroo Island Sealink to Penneshaw. On the way to Kingscote is Pennington Bay which is a wonderful surf beach. We now head to the south coast of the island. It is now onto Seal Bay , a large sandy beach and dune area where Australian sea lions rest and nurse their young. We see these rare sea lions under the guidance of a National Parks Ranger. We walk on the beach within a few metres of the resting sea lions, basking in the sun. We now head to Little Sahara, an area of spectacular white sand dunes surrounded by bush vegetation. Overnight Flinders Chase Farm. DAY 2: Today we visit Flinders Chase National Park, one of Australia's largest covering 74,000 hectares. At Cape du Couedic we proceed down a walkway to Admirals Arch, the home to a colony of New Zealand Fur Seals. We travel east to Remarkable Rocks. We head to Penneshaw where we board the Kangaroo Island Sealink for trip back to Cape Jervis. We now head to McLaren Vale for overnight stay, arriving approximately 9:00PM. DAY 3: Depart Adelaide 7:00AM for Port Augusta. After lunch we head towards Wilpena Pound via Quorn and Hawker. From Hawker we visit Kanyaka ruins and Death Rock. If you are feeling energetic perhaps we can climb up to see the Yourambulla Caves, where we view Aboriginal rock painting. We spend tonight at Wilpena Resort. DAY 4: After breakfast we have a peaceful bushwalk to Wangarra Lookouts and the Hill Homestead. We then travel the geological trail through the Brachina Gorge. Blinman is our next destination before returning to Wilpena Resort. DAY 5: Depart Wilpena Resort approximately 9:00AM for Adelaide. Arrive Adelaide approximately 6:00PM

6 Day Flinders Ranges, Coober Pedy

Your six day itinerary is as follows: DAY 1: Depart Adelaide 8am for Wilpena Pound Resort via Port Augusta. At Port Augusta we explore the Flinders Ranges and Outback in Wadlata Outback Centre's Tunnel of Time. From Hawker we visit Kanyaka ruins, Death Rock, Yourambulla Caves, where we view Aboriginal rock painting. We spend tonight at Wilpena Resort. DAY 2: After breakfast we have a peaceful bushwalk to Wangarra Lookouts and the Hill Homestead. We then travel the geological trail through the Brachina Gorge. After lunch we head to to Wilpena Resort via Parachilna Gorge and Blinman. Overnight Wilpena Resort. DAY 3: After breakfast we head to William Creek via Marree and the Oodnadatta Track. At William Creek: the worlds most isolated pub, you can indulge in a well-deserved Australian beer. The most important claim to fame for William Creek is that it is the smallest town in Australia and that it is located on the worlds largest cattle station (Anna Creek Station) which is 32,500 square kilometres. This is a land of contrasts. There's red gibber plains stretching to the horizon, mound springs (we visit Bubbler Springs and Blanche Cup Springs). An optional flight over Lake Eyre North is available. At the lakes lowest point it is 15.2 metres below sea level and drains more than one sixth of the continent. Overnight William Creek Hotel. DAY 4: Today we head to Coober Pedy in the heart of South Australia's vast outback; it is an opal wonderland. The town takes its name from the Aboriginal word Kupa (uninitiated man or white man) and Piti (hole). Overnight underground accommodation. DAY 5: Today we visit the Breakaway's Reserve and Moon Plain before we head back to Coober Pedy via the dingo fence ( the worlds longest fence, 5300km long). We spend tonight in underground accommodation . DAY 6: We follow the Stuart (Explorer) Highway on our return to Adelaide. Arriving at your accommodation approximately 6pm.

Abseiling - Beginners Learn to Abseil Course - Sydney

Your beginners' abseiling course in Sydney will start on a small boulder and progress through a variety of abseils, where you'll get to practice as many times as you like. As you progress throughout the day-long abseiling course, fun challenges will be put before you. Race your mate down a sheer cliff face or launch yourself and bound to the bottom in as few touches of the wall as you dare! While it's a fun and adventurous abseiling course, enormous emphasis is placed on abseiling safety. You'll learn the important skills needed to abseil in safety anywhere, including cliff-top safety, care of equipment, safety checks and correct abseiling techniques. The abseiling guides are encouraging and entertaining and are a very useful source of rock sports knowledge around Sydney, Australia and the World. After lunch the abseiling crew will tackle bigger drops, gradually progressing to abseils of 30 to 40 metres, even up to 60 metres, depending on the abseiling site. The big abseils are for anyone feeling confident enough to accept the challenge. The true adrenalin seeker can try a face-first 'rap jump'. At the completion of the abseiling course you will have the skills to qualify as a basic abseiler and will be able to tackle more advanced abseils and rap jumps, or to try your hand at multi-pitch abseiling, canyoning or caving.

Abseiling Adventure Multipitch Day - Sydney

Abseiling is basically a method of descending a rope in a safe, controlled manner. It's a fun and adventurous experience, which anyone can try and it enables you to access some amazing places! Multi-pitch abseiling expeditions involve descending some of the large cliff lines (approximately 200 metres) of the upper Blue Mountains in a series of stages or 'pitches'. No experience is necessary but be ready for some exposure to heights. Overlooking the Megalong Valley and Narrow Neck plateau Boars Head is a five pitch expedition that boasts some exciting abseiling as you descend into the massive chasm that forms the second and third pitches. Most pitches finish on a large ledge or cave and lunch is usually served with a spectacular view. A rainforest bushwalk through the Devils Hole takes you back to civilisation or depending on the groups interest you may return to the top via an easy rock climb up the historic climbing route 'Shandy'. All participants will need to agree on the exit before leaving the Katoomba. During the day your guide will instruct you in the various aspects of abseiling including knots and anchors, belaying and communication. The guides are encouraging and entertaining.

Abseiling Beginners Learn to Abseil Course - Brisbane

Welcome to the vertical world – Abseiling Brisbane! Abseiling provides an exciting, adrenalin filled adventure that is a base skill required for caving, canyoning, rock climbing, mountaineering, remote area bushwalking or just for fun. Abseiling is a great way to safely step outside your comfort zone and challenge yourself. During this learn-to-abseil course your instructors will issue you with your gear, including a harness, karabiner and figure-eight descender, all of which you'll be shown how to use. Safety procedures will be explained before you rig up and abseil the starter slope. After a couple of abseils on these beginner slopes you'll become familiar with the correct abseiling stance and other descent techniques. Once you're confident, you can test your abseiling skills on some more exciting and higher drops. Then you're free to complete as many descents on the main cliffs as you can fit into the session. By the end of the abseiling course you'll be competent enough to tackle one of the abseiling field trips in the Glasshouse Mountains, or you may want to expand your rock sports repertoire with an introductory rock climbing session.

Abseiling Learn to Abseil Half Day - Adelaide Onkaparinga

Abseiling - accept the challenge! Abseiling, or 'rappelling', is basically a method of descending a rope in a safe, controlled manner. Of course, the rope is often hanging over a cliff face or dangling from an overhang! Abseiling has gained widespread use and acceptance in many fields such as climbing, caving, rescue, scientific field research and in the military. Few things compare to the sensation of adrenalin you feel as you first step off the edge of a cliff. You have spent your whole life being told to keep away from the edge but now it's time to go over! The excitement and fear will swell inside as you communicate to your body to lean out parallel to the ground far below. All you need to do is move your feet one by one but you may feel some reluctance to do so. Once you have conjured up the courage to descend, an overwhelming sense of achievement will kick in. You will want to do it over and over again. This is a fully guided 3-hour experience on real rock. You will receive continual encouragement and instruction on rock safety, abseiling equipment and techniques.

Abseiling Learn to Abseil Half Day - Adelaide The Bluff

Abseiling - accept the challenge! Abseiling, or 'rappelling', is basically a method of descending a rope in a safe, controlled manner. Of course, the rope is often hanging over a cliff face or dangling from an overhang! Abseiling has gained widespread use and acceptance in many fields such as climbing, caving, rescue, scientific field research and in the military. Few things compare to the sensation of adrenalin you feel as you first step off the edge of a cliff. You have spent your whole life being told to keep away from the edge but now it's time to go over! The excitement and fear will swell inside as you communicate to your body to lean out parallel to the ground far below. All you need to do is move your feet one by one but you may feel some reluctance to do so. Once you have conjured up the courage to descend, an overwhelming sense of achievement will kick in. You will want to do it over and over again. This is a fully guided 3-hour experience on real rock. You will receive continual encouragement and instruction on rock safety, abseiling equipment and techniques.

Adelaide to Melbourne - 3 Day Tour

DAY 1 - We pick you up at your hotel and head up into the Adelaide Hills with Mt Lofty Summit offering sweeping views of Adelaide. We then travel towards Robe, along the Coorong National Park which has an abundance of waterbirds and spectacular scenery. Our travels then take us to the World Heritage listed Naracoorte Caves. We end the day staying amongst the vines in the Coonawarra wine region, dining on fresh, local produce. DAY 2 - After breakfast, we travel into the Shipwreck coast. We travel through Mt Gambier before we discover Tower Hill Reserve where we are likely to see Emus, Koalas, Kangaroos and Echidnas. London Bridge, Bay of Martyrs and Bay of Islands are local icon visited before lunch. We then travel on to discover the Twelve Apostles and learn of how they were created. A short drive further along the coast takes us to Loch Ard Gorge, the site of the most infamous shipwrecks along this coast. Your guide tells the story reading from the diary notes of Tom Pearce and Eva Carmicheal while original photographs and artifacts from the ship are passed around. We continue our drive through the Otway National Park with its majestic Mountain Ash forest and rainforest. While hear learn of the rich Aboriginal heritage of the region and the early contact period with European settlers. We then arrive at you 4 star accommodation set within native forest with stunning ocean views close to Apollo Bay. Following a dinner, we take you on a 'Rainforest by Night' walk to see the magical glow worms (weather permitting). DAY 3 - After a continental breakfast we turn towards Melbourne. Our drive takes us along the scenic and world renowned cliff-top drive of the Great Ocean Road. We lunch in Lorne then drive along the surfcoast visiting famous Torquay and Bells Beach. This region also allows us to give you close encounters with kangaroos, koalas and other wildlife. Our journey then takes us through Geelong, visiting its waterfront before arriving in Melbourne.

The History of Caving

Since the time when man stopped swinging from tree branches and banging their chests, there has been an element of mystery surrounding caves.

In very early times, caves were feared. It was thought that monsters or magical beasts lived inside them. There are countless fables and urban myths on the happenings inside the dark and often cramped spaces.

Throughout the ages the mystery of caves continued. As the human mind became more inquisitive and a spirit of adventure instilled itself, men began to explore these dark and dangerous places.

The more exploring that took place, the more people felt comfortable in entering caves. From the 1950s, recreational caving became quite popular around the world.

In recent decades with developments of safety equipment, cavers have been able to explore more dangerous caves and what was once recreation is now labeled as an extreme sport.

Caving experiences are available all across the world. Australia has some of the deepest and dangerous caves and this attracts people to the sport.   © MAS 2007

Caving in Australia

The Australian Speleological Federation (ASF) is the leading body in the protection and exploration of caves in Australia. The ASF has close to 40 member organisations across Australia. The members can be found in all states and territories.

Arguably the most spectacular cave system in Australia and the world can be found in Jenolan, in country NSW. There are eleven cave systems that incorporate underground rivers.

Underground tours, caving experiences and accommodation packages have all been tailored to make your trip to the Jenolan Caves unforgettable.   © MAS 2007