Approximately 26 kilometers north of Rockhampton lies the Mount Etna caves network surrounding the small township of The Caves. There are a number of locations that you can go to check out the amazing limestone formations within this secret world.
Johannsen's cave is FREE to visit and explore, although it is closed for most of the year. If you want to explore you will need to visit between February and May. For the more adventurous among us, advanced caving challenges are available within this area also.
At this site, there are many great things for everyone to learn. The rock formations, including the caves, the stalagmites, the stalactites and the surface features are all part of an especially interesting geographical feature known as limestone karst.
What is Karst?
Karst topography is formed from the dissolution of soluble rocks including dolomite, gypsum and in this case, Limestone. It is often characterized by sinkholes, caves, and underground drainage systems. Nearly all surface karst features are formed by internal drainage, subsidence, and collapse triggered by the development of underlying caves. Rainwater becomes acidic as it comes in contact with carbon dioxide in the atmosphere and the soil. As it drains into fractures in the rock, the water begins to dissolve away the rock creating a network of passages. Over time, water flowing through the network continues to erode and enlarge the passages; this allows the plumbing system to transport increasingly larger amounts of water. This process of dissolution leads to the development of the caves, sinkholes, springs, and sinking streams typical of a karst landscape. (Article and image adapted from The University of Texas, Environmental Science Institute)
The caves themselves are exciting to explore, if you happen to find yourself visiting while the caves are open to the public. At all times of the year the public is permitted to walk the path leading to the cave and into the entrance cavern of the cave where you will be able to answer all of the questions for this earth cache.
To log your find on this earth cache, complete the following and email your response to the cache owner. You must wait for conformation from the cache owner before logging the find. Non-complying logs will be removed.
Questions
1. Standing at the listed co-ordinates and looking opposite the cave entrance you will see a pyramid shaped hill. What is the distinctive man-made feature of this hill? What do you think happens here?
2. Standing at the listed co-ordinates and looking above the cave entrance you will see some interesting formations in the rocks. Describe the rocks. Include in your description: the colours, shapes, size, and what you think it might feel like to touch them. Which image from the following diagram is the most similar to the rocks.
Walk about 10 meters towards the cave entrance, but don't go in just yet.
3. Read the sign on the left. Which species of animal, mentioned on the sign is protected in Johannsen's cave? About how many are in the colony? What has made them a vulnerable species? What special event occurs between November and February? Why do you think that this area is on of the most important areas for their habitation?
Walk about 8 meters into the entrance cavern
4. Standing on the top step facing the depths of the cave, there is a small silver metal tag nailed onto the right side wall at about shoulder height. What is inscribed on the tag?
5. How many steps are there in the entrance cavern before you get to the gateway?
6. Standing on the 4th step from the top, and looking to the right, describe what you see. Include in your description Colours, shapes and textures.
7. Walk/scramble carefully 7 meters to the right of the fourth step from the top. You will have to descend into a small area. There is a yellow sign somewhere here, about 15cm x 20cm. What is written on the sign?
BONUS POINTS
The small metal tag mentioned above (question 4) is not the only one in the entrance cave. If you find the other one, tell us what is inscribed on that tag.
If you want to, add a photo of your caching team with GPSr's at the cave entrance. Please try not to add spoilers in your photos.
If you visit Johannsen's cave while it is open, describe in your log what the experience was like for you. Did you see the stalagmites and the stalactites? Did you find any secret caves? what was the most difficult cave you got into? If you are feeling skinny and not claustrophobic, just below the bridge, once you have passed the entrance gate is a challenging cavern known as 'The Whales Belly'. Did you go into the whales belly? Tell us all about it
Have a great time visiting Johannsen's cave. Please respect the natural environment, and remember: Cache in, Trash out!
FTF honours: Avagomob
The location of this cache is within a national park/protected area. All standard QPWS rules and regulations for hiding have been complied with in placement of this cache.
Before commencing the search for a geocache on Queensland National Park grounds, it is recommended that you view the NPRSR website to see if there is any alerts for the park grounds.