AugustaAugusta && MargaretMargaret RiverRiver CavesCaves andand RegionRegion HistoryHistory
Brian Combley CLINC (Cavers Leeuwin Inc.)
20/01/2003 Cavers Leeuwin Inc 1 CapeCape LeeuwinLeeuwin andand CapeCape NaturalisteNaturaliste z Named visited and recorded by the the Dutch in 1622 and French in 1772. z Mathew Flinders charted Cape Leeuwin in 1801. z Augusta was the third settlement in W.A. in 1830 after Albany in 1826 & the Swan River Colony in 1829.
20/01/2003 Cavers Leeuwin Inc 2 PortPort AugustaAugusta z Used by whalers and sealers for fresh water before and after settlement. z Some of the first residents – Captain John & Georgiana Molloy. – The Bussell brothers John & Alfred. – The Turner family. – The Allnutt family.
20/01/2003 Cavers Leeuwin Inc 3 H.H. M.M. OmmanneyOmmanney reportsreports cavecave 18401840 z A surveyor based in the South West. z On a trip from the new town of Busselton to the western edge of the Leeuwin Naturaliste Ridge, reported finding a cave. z It is assumed it was one of the Yallingup caves, possibly Northcote Grotto or the Seven Sisters.
20/01/2003 Cavers Leeuwin Inc 4 DeepdeneDeepdene Cliff’sCliff’s z Deepdene cliffs were adjacent to the Turner property and were known of at the time. Some small caves exist in the cliff face z Early mariners called in for fresh water near Deepdene it was visible from the ocean.
20/01/2003 Cavers Leeuwin Inc 5 DucalupDucalup oror DeepdeneDeepdene onon TurnerTurner BrookBrook
20/01/2003 Cavers Leeuwin Inc 6 CaveCave DiscoveredDiscovered inin AugustaAugusta 18481848 z Mr G Turner found two caves about 12 Kilometres North of Augusta. z Caves were Old Kudardup and AU 10 z Caves explored by Edward Hester.
20/01/2003 Cavers Leeuwin Inc 7 CavesCaves ReportedReported inin thethe “Inquirer”“Inquirer” z Reported in the Inquirer of November 1848 by Edward Hester. z The find was attributed to Turner in the article.
20/01/2003 Cavers Leeuwin Inc 8 CaveCave PearlsPearls OldOld KudardupKudardup
20/01/2003 Cavers Leeuwin Inc 9 PillarsPillars describeddescribed inin thethe newspapernewspaper articlearticle
20/01/2003 Cavers Leeuwin Inc 10 Bussell’sBussell’s MovedMoved toto WallcliffeWallcliffe z Augusta found not to be suitable for farming. z Bussell’s moved to Ellensbrook in 1857 and later to Wallcliffe about 1865. z House Cave discovered about this time (Wallcliffe).
20/01/2003 Cavers Leeuwin Inc 11 HouseHouse CaveCave laterlater calledcalled WallcliffeWallcliffe z Visitors were encouraged by the Bussell’s. z Several reports are recorded in the West Australian newspaper of visits. z Albert & Fanny Bussell's initials inscribed on the flow stone in Wallcliffe Cave.
20/01/2003 Cavers Leeuwin Inc 12 Early Graffiti AlbertAlbert andand FannyFanny 18821882
20/01/2003 Cavers Leeuwin Inc 13 TimTim ConnellyConnelly
20/01/2003 Cavers Leeuwin Inc 14 WarrawerrieWarrawerrie oror BlackboyBlackboy HollowHollow z Discovered by John Bussell in the late 1860’s. z Bussell encouraged visitors. z Enlarged opening and installed a ladder of sorts. z Visitors accommodated at his house.
20/01/2003 Cavers Leeuwin Inc 15 MoondyneMoondyne oror CoronationCoronation CaveCave z Discovered by Fred Grange in 1879. z Used by Western Australia’s only bush ranger “Moondyne Joe” or Joseph Bolitho Johns. z Opened as a public cave on the coronation day of King George V. z Was called Coronation Cave.
20/01/2003 Cavers Leeuwin Inc 16 LakeLake CaveCave DolineDoline
z In 1867 Fanny reported to her family the existence of the Lake Cave Doline found whilst searching for lost cattle. z The family did not believe her as it could not be located again.
20/01/2003 Cavers Leeuwin Inc 17 MammothMammoth CaveCave z Reports of the cave in 1895. z Tim Connelly credited with the first exploration. z Mammoth was known as the “Dawn of Creation Cave”. z The name was possibly because of fossils found in the cave.
20/01/2003 Cavers Leeuwin Inc 18 MammothMammoth CaveCave Photo thanks to EarlyEarly 1900’s1900’s Rauleigh Webb
20/01/2003 Cavers Leeuwin Inc 19 TimTim ConnellyConnelly
Photo thanks to Rauleigh Webb
20/01/2003 Cavers Leeuwin Inc 20 YallingupYallingup CaveCave z Discovered in 1899 by Edward Dawson when searching for lost horses. z Explored by Dawson and two friends Seymore and Curtis.
20/01/2003 Cavers Leeuwin Inc 21 YallingupYallingup oror NgilgiNgilgi CaveCave z First tours conducted 1900. z Edward (Ned) Dawson became the sole guide at Yallingup for the next 37 Years.
20/01/2003 Cavers Leeuwin Inc 22 TimTim ConnellyConnelly rediscoversrediscovers LakeLake CaveCave DolineDoline z Tim Connelly, C. Price Conigrave and Wm. A. Nelson relocated the Lake Doline and found the Lake Cave entrance. z They lowered themselves down into the doline to explore in November 1897, the cave was named “Queen of the Earth” by Connelly.
20/01/2003 Cavers Leeuwin Inc 23 LakeLake CaveCave DolineDoline
20/01/2003 Cavers Leeuwin Inc 24 LakeLake DolineDoline LookingLooking UpUp
20/01/2003 Cavers Leeuwin Inc 25 SuspendedSuspended TableTable LakeLake CaveCave
20/01/2003 Cavers Leeuwin Inc 26 20/01/2003 Cavers Leeuwin Inc 27 ConnellyConnelly alsoalso exploredexplored otherother cavescaves z Museum, Calgardup, Bride’s and Golgotha caves were probably first explored by Connelly. z Connelly passed away in 1933.
20/01/2003 Cavers Leeuwin Inc 28 ReportReport CommissionedCommissioned 19001900 z From the Chief Inspector of Lands z To the Undersecretary of Lands z Completed by Mr C. Erskine May z Re the caves in the Margaret River Region. z After pressure from a local resident Mr Brockman. Perth 26th of February 1900
20/01/2003 Cavers Leeuwin Inc 29 ChiefChief InspectorInspector ofof LandsLands z Mr C Erskine May prepared the report after visiting the caves of the region. z Reported that vandals were already at work defacing these marvellous and beautiful geological features.
20/01/2003 Cavers Leeuwin Inc 30 DescriptionDescription ofof thethe ReportReport z A report on the proposed management of the caves on the Leeuwin Ridge.
20/01/2003 Cavers Leeuwin Inc 31 SomeSome detailsdetails ofof thethe reportreport z It is interesting that conservation was recommended in 1900 due to damage being done to these caves. z I will dwell on some of the detail of this report.
20/01/2003 Cavers Leeuwin Inc 32 HowHow toto SaveSave thethe Caves.Caves. z Road from Busselton must be upgraded. z A hospice for accommodation will be needed. z Entrances ought to be guarded by iron gates. z A caretaker should be appointed.
20/01/2003 Cavers Leeuwin Inc 33 WhereWhere thethe CavesCaves AreAre
20/01/2003 Cavers Leeuwin Inc 34 WhereWhere thethe CavesCaves AreAre
20/01/2003 Cavers Leeuwin Inc 35 C.C. ErskineErskine MayMay describeddescribed thethe regionregion as:as: “A Gem of a Holiday Place”
20/01/2003 Cavers Leeuwin Inc 36 AA GemGem ofof aa HolidayHoliday PlacePlace z Some of the features of the region. z Cape Leeuwin. z Hardy Inlet and the Blackwood River. z Flinders Bay. z Margaret River. z Leeuwin Light House.
20/01/2003 Cavers Leeuwin Inc 37 Cape Leeuwin
20/01/2003 Cavers Leeuwin Inc 38 Blackwood River Hardy Inlet and Molloy Island
20/01/2003 Cavers Leeuwin Inc 39 Flinders Bay
20/01/2003 Cavers Leeuwin Inc 40 Mouth of the Margaret River
20/01/2003 Cavers Leeuwin Inc 41 LeeuwinLeeuwin LightLight HouseHouse && HistoricHistoric WaterWater WheelWheel
20/01/2003 Cavers Leeuwin Inc 42 OtherOther FeaturesFeatures ofof thethe RidgeRidge z Cape Naturaliste. z Bunkers Bay. z Canal Rocks. z Sugar Loaf Rock.
20/01/2003 Cavers Leeuwin Inc 43 CapeCape Naturaliste,Naturaliste, BunkersBunkers BayBay
20/01/2003 Cavers Leeuwin Inc 44 CapeCape Naturaliste,Naturaliste, SeaSea CavesCaves
20/01/2003 Cavers Leeuwin Inc 45 CanalCanal RocksRocks
20/01/2003 Cavers Leeuwin Inc 46 OnOn withwith thethe HistoryHistory
Cave Discoveries
20/01/2003 Cavers Leeuwin Inc 47 C.C. E.E. MayMay specificallyspecifically mentionedmentioned z Wallcliffe. z Blackboy Hollow. z Calgadup (Calgardup). z Boodjidup (Witchcliffe). z Nindup (Giants). z Deepdene. z Crystal (Recommended Closing Off).
20/01/2003 Cavers Leeuwin Inc 48 TheThe DevilsDevils HandHand WallcliffeWallcliffe CaveCave fromfrom thethe MayMay ReportReport
20/01/2003 Cavers Leeuwin Inc 49 TheThe DevilsDevils HandHand WallcliffeWallcliffe CaveCave
20/01/2003 Cavers Leeuwin Inc 50 TheThe PoultryPoultry ShowShow circacirca 19001900 fromfrom thethe MayMay ReportReport
20/01/2003 Cavers Leeuwin Inc 51 TheThe PoultryPoultry ShowShow nownow
20/01/2003 Cavers Leeuwin Inc 52 20/01/2003 Cavers Leeuwin Inc 53 WarrawerrieWarrawerrie oror BlackboyBlackboy HollowHollow z Discovered by John Bussell 1880’s. z Bussell’s installed a ladder and enlarged the opening. z A comment was made in the report that this was done to allow the Aldermen to visit.
20/01/2003 Cavers Leeuwin Inc 54 Queens Crown Blackboy Hollow from the May Report
20/01/2003 Cavers Leeuwin Inc 55 Queens Crown Blackboy Hollow
20/01/2003 Cavers Leeuwin Inc 56 20/01/2003 Cavers Leeuwin Inc 57 TheThe BrokenBroken ColumnColumn 19001900
20/01/2003 Cavers Leeuwin Inc 58 TheThe BrokenBroken ColumnColumn
20/01/2003 Cavers Leeuwin Inc 59 KarriKarri TreeTree FormationFormation BlackboyBlackboy HollowHollow
20/01/2003 Cavers Leeuwin Inc 60 CalgadupCalgadup CaveCave
20/01/2003 Cavers Leeuwin Inc 61 Suspended Dome Calgardup
20/01/2003 Cavers Leeuwin Inc 62 SpearSpear inin thethe mudmud atat CalgardupCalgardup
20/01/2003 Cavers Leeuwin Inc 63 DevilsDevils PoolPool andand WitchcliffeWitchcliffe CaveCave
Devils Pool was a permanent source of water on the track up to Bunbury & Perth so it was not long before the Witchcliffe cave was discovered. 20/01/2003 Cavers Leeuwin Inc 64 DevilsDevils PoolPool
20/01/2003 Cavers Leeuwin Inc 65 DevilsDevils PoolPool fromfrom WitchcliffeWitchcliffe CaveCave
20/01/2003 Cavers Leeuwin Inc 66 WitchcliffeWitchcliffe CaveCave EntranceEntrance
20/01/2003 Cavers Leeuwin Inc 67 WitchcliffeWitchcliffe CaveCave && CLINCCLINC
20/01/2003 Cavers Leeuwin Inc 68 StarStar ChamberChamber
20/01/2003 Cavers Leeuwin Inc 69 LotsLots WifeWife
20/01/2003 Cavers Leeuwin Inc 70 LotsLots WifeWife
20/01/2003 Cavers Leeuwin Inc 71 PipesPipes ofof aa CathedralCathedral OrganOrgan
20/01/2003 Cavers Leeuwin Inc 72 TheThe MobMob InsideInside CLINCCLINC atat WitchcliffeWitchcliffe
20/01/2003 Cavers Leeuwin Inc 73 DeepdeneDeepdene CliffsCliffs
20/01/2003 Cavers Leeuwin Inc 74 DeepdeneDeepdene
20/01/2003 Cavers Leeuwin Inc 75 CrystalCrystal PillarPillar DeepdeneDeepdene CaveCave
20/01/2003 Cavers Leeuwin Inc 76 ColumnColumn DeepdeneDeepdene
20/01/2003 Cavers Leeuwin Inc 77 ConnellyConnelly AppointedAppointed asas GuideGuide z As a result of the C. E. May report Tim Connelly was appointed as a guide and caretaker on a salary of $100 (Fifty Pounds) per annum. z Gates and Locks were installed. z Magnesium Flares and Blackboy Torches were no longer used. z Cave’s Board formed.
20/01/2003 Cavers Leeuwin Inc 78 StrongsStrongs CaveCave z Recorded by Marmaduke Terry in a survey in 1900. z Many other caves in the area recorded around this time. z Terry married Filumina Bussell on St Valentines day 1900 about the time he was completing his survey.
20/01/2003 Cavers Leeuwin Inc 79 CaveCave HouseHouse waswas builtbuilt inin 19031903
20/01/2003 Cavers Leeuwin Inc 80 CaveCave HouseHouse inin thethe 20’s20’s
20/01/2003 Cavers Leeuwin Inc 81 CaveCave HouseHouse
20/01/2003 Cavers Leeuwin Inc 82 CaveCave HouseHouse BurnsBurns DownDown z In 1935 a disastrous fire swept through Cave House.
20/01/2003 Cavers Leeuwin Inc 83 CaveCave HouseHouse ReconstructedReconstructed
20/01/2003 Cavers Leeuwin Inc 84 CaveCave HouseHouse TodayToday
20/01/2003 Cavers Leeuwin Inc 85 Bride’sBride’s CaveCave DescentDescent
20/01/2003 Cavers Leeuwin Inc 86 JewelJewel CaveCave z Solution Pipe found by William Ellis in 1908 but not entered, called Windy Hole. z Discovered by Cliff Spackman, Mr & Mrs Jack Burrows, Harley Webster and Tony Tapper in 1957. z Jewel Cave will be covered in a specific presentation by Lloyd Robinson who first explored it in 1958 with Lex Bastian and Cliff Spackman.
20/01/2003 Cavers Leeuwin Inc 87 JewelJewel CaveCave
20/01/2003 Cavers Leeuwin Inc 88 JewelJewel CaveCave
20/01/2003 Cavers Leeuwin Inc 89 TheThe HistoryHistory fromfrom thethe 1920’s1920’s onon isis wellwell recordedrecorded inin SRGSRG andand WASGWASG documentation.documentation.
Even today Witchcliffe Cave is not locked and is being used as a camp site. Many other caves still remain unlocked.
20/01/2003 Cavers Leeuwin Inc 90 ThanksThanks toto JeffJeff MurrayMurray ofof DOLADOLA z Without Jeff’s assistance much of the material used would not have been found or confirmed to be accurate. z Copies of the Ommanney and May reports will be included with the conference notes.
20/01/2003 Cavers Leeuwin Inc 91