Capricorn Caves facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Capricorn Caves |
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| Location | Rockhampton, Queensland, Australia |
| Discovery | 1882 by John Olsen |
| Geology | Limestone |
The Capricorn Caves are amazing limestone caves in Queensland, Australia. They are found about 23 kilometres (14 mi) north of Rockhampton. These caves are one of the biggest privately owned cave systems in Australia.
Contents
Discovering the Capricorn Caves
The Capricorn Caves were first found in 1881. A man named John Olsen, who was from Norway, discovered them. He then claimed the land.
In 1884, John Olsen opened the caves to the public. This made them a popular place to visit. Today, the Capricorn Caves are still privately owned. They are one of Queensland's oldest tourist spots.
Exploring the Caves and More
Visitors can enjoy many activities at the Capricorn Caves. Sometimes, you might even see small bats that eat insects inside the caves!
The property covers 33 hectares. Here, you can try exciting things like abseiling and rock climbing. There is also an adventure course with a climbing wall. You can even look for interesting rocks or watch animals.
The caves also have a special building. It's called the geo-discovery building. Schools use it for lessons about biology, geology, and the environment.
Tours and Special Features
You can join a tour of the caves almost any time. Tours run hourly from 9 am to 4 pm. If you want a bigger adventure, you can book special tours in advance.
The most popular tour is the Cathedral Tour. It lasts one hour and is a 1 kilometre (0.62 mi) walk. At the end, you can choose an adventure option. This involves squeezing through a narrow, winding passage. You might use a torch or fairy lights to guide your way!
The Cathedral Cave Tour is also wheelchair friendly. The Cathedral Chamber inside the caves has amazing natural sound. Because of this, people often use it for weddings!
How the Caves Formed
The Capricorn Caves are made of limestone. This limestone formed a very long time ago. It came from corals that grew in shallow waters around volcanoes.
Over time, the land rose. The limestone was then exposed to rain and underground water. This water was slightly acidic. It slowly dissolved the limestone, creating the caves we see today.
Awards and Recognition
The Capricorn Caves have won many awards. In 1997, they received a special award for being an advanced ecotourism site. This means they are very good at protecting nature.
In 2005, the caves won awards for adventure tourism and marketing. Then, in both 2008 and 2009, they won the Steve Irwin Ecotourism Award. These awards show how important the caves are for nature and tourism.
See also
In Spanish: Cuevas de Capricornio para niños
