Capricorn Caves

Weave your way around a fascinating complex of caves, where you’ll find an eerie cathedral, a rock-climbing course and wildlife amid the geological wonders.

The Capricorn Caves have been a source of excitement and mystery in the Rockhampton region since 1882, when they were discovered and developed by a Norwegian settler. The caves have been entwined with ancient history and the Darumbal Aboriginal people’s traditional lands long before then. A journey through the breathtaking cave realm will unearth some of the region’s fascinating geological mysteries. Go on an exciting geology discovery tour or challenge yourself on the adventure course.

Enter the dark and eerie mouth of the Capricorn Caves and embark on your adventure. Go on a walking tour to the Cathedral Cave and take a seat in the cavernous chapel, which is complete with rows of wooden pews and atmospheric lighting. The stroll to and from the cathedral is about 0.6 miles (1 kilometer) and features an exciting zigzag pathway formed by the passage of water. Fairy lights and candles lead the way to the cathedral, which is renowned for its superb acoustics.

Learn about the fascinating history of the caves on the Geo Discovery tour, which takes visitors on an educational journey past stalagmites, stalactites, fossils and ancient bones. You’ll learn about the Capricorn Caves’ unique biology, geology and environment. If you’re lucky, you might spot some of the five species of bat that reside in the caves at different times of the year. Little bent-wing bats are the most common residents, while the elusive ghost bat is only seen by a lucky few.

If you’re feeling up for an adventure, try your luck at crawling, climbing and sliding through a subterranean playground. Go abseiling and rock climbing or try out the high-ropes challenge.

The Capricorn Caves are equipped with a range of accommodations, including cabins and a caravan park. Bring some lunch to grill on the on-site barbecues or stop by the Bat Bar for a drink. The caves’ visitor interpretation center has a reptile display and plenty of options for planning a visit to suit you.

The caves are situated just outside of Mount Etna Caves National Park, approximately a 30-minute drive north of Rockhampton. The caves are open daily and the cave experiences incur individual admission fees.