Yellow Billy was a part-Aboriginal bushranger who roamed the area during the 1860's. This cache has been placed in the cave that he used as a hideout with an excellent vantage point over the valleys, high in the Brokenback Range. Known as the 'Gentleman' Bushranger Yellow Billy was intelligent, well-dressed and never fired his weapons or harmed any of the victims that he robbed. He was an expert horseman who knew the rugged country well.
To get to the cave and the cache you must continue on across the saddle from the "Brokenback" cache near the telecommunication towers using the trailhead that we have provided. From here it is best to follow the ridges to the reference point listed. The journey is quite steep in parts but you will be rewarded with some excellent views along the way. At the reference point you will reach a narrow, rocky spur and it is from here you can descend to the cave. The listed coordinates are for the cave entrance, while the cache is hidden inside. Bring along a torch to help search for the cache and look out for the microbats. An impressive wall of stones built by Yellow Billy still stands to block part of the entrance.
The Story of Yellow Billy
Yellow Billy, born William White, began his bushranging career in 1863 by breaking into and robbing the Wollombi Courthouse on the 7th August. He was arrested for the crime the following day and placed in the Wollombi lock-up. During the night he made an escape by setting fire to the wooden door post which held the bolt in place.
Yellow Billy began holding up and robbing travellers on the Putty Road between Bulga and Howes Valley. Police parties searched the countryside for Yellow Billy before he was eventually captured on Bulga mountain on 8th September after giving a short chase on horseback. He was again placed in the Wollombi lock-up where he once again escaped, this time by removing a wall slab, but captured shortly after a chase through the bush. On the 7th October 1863 Yellow Billy was tried at Maitland and found guilty of stealing a police horse, sentenced to 2 years imprisonment in Darlinghurst and Bathurst Gaol.
In 1865, Yellow Billy was released from Bathurst Gaol and returned to the Hunter Valley where he began bushranging again. In January 1866 the government posted as reward of 25 pounds for the capture of Yellow Billy. Hold-ups continued and in August 1866, the Wollombi mail boy travelling to West Maitland was robbed by Yellow Billy.
In October 1866, Sergeant Parker, Trooper Steel and Trooper Forrest set out after Yellow Billy and would not return until his capture. On the morning of November 2nd 1866, the three police officers were on the Wollombi Ranges when they spotted Yellow Billy's stolen horse grazing in the grass. The troopers approached and found Yellow Billy lying asleep with his loaded double-barrelled gun alongside him. He offered no resistance and was secured and transported to the new solid sandstone cells at Wollombi and later moved to Maitland Gaol.
Yellow Billy's trial began in April 1867 and was found guilty of three charges of robbery with arms. He was sentenced to 20 years imprisonment on the 26th October 1867. It is not completely known what ever happened to Yellow Billy but it is believed that after serving some years of his sentence he was released on good behaviour and deported to America.