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ASF -- 1500 OPEN Pure White FrankI'li"ank 1979 -- ___ ,NN<'_

CONTENTS

WACCON timetable 1 CAVE CONSERVATION AND MANAGEMENT - Monday, 1 January 1979

The Future of Australia's caves [by] Adrian Davey 4

Cave conservation in Australia~ fighting for the impossible [by] Glenn Pure 4 • The Black speleothems of Jersey Cave, Yarrangobilly [by] A.P. Spate & J.K. Ward 4 • Environmental monitoring in caves: part 1 [by] Neville Michie 4

CAVE CONSERVATION AND tlJiNAGEMENT - Tuesday, 2 January 1979

Restoration, stabilisation and gating of the Christmas Star Extension of Crystal Cave (WI 62), Wi tchcliffe, W.A. [by] Norm Poulter 5

Resource management of the Nullarbor caves [by] Adrian Davey 5

Recreational caving in W.A.: some hard data [by] Ray Hart 5

Environmental monitoring in caves: part 2 [by] Neville Michie 5

The Methodology for the use of inert tracer gases in relation to cave meteorology [by] Rauleigh v/ebb 6

Overuse of caves - avoiding and repairing: a case study [by] Ray Hart 6

Management of cave and karst parks in Yugoslavia [by] E. Hamilton-Smith 6

AREA AND EXPEDITION REPORTS - Tuesday,2 January 1979

The Flinders Ranges - a personal view [by] Dot Paisley 6

Atea '78 [by] Judith Bateman 7

Bat Ridges (Dune Limestone) [by] Nicholas White 7

_~~~ ~ ~ __ m GLvLUl;;iYGEOLOGY iiNlJAND GEOMORPHOLOGY - Wednesday, 3 JanUd.LYJanuary 1979.L::i!::i • Karst regions of Papua-New Guinea - a multispectral view [by] Dave Gillieson 7

Stream caves in the moist south-west of Western Australia [by] Kerry Williamson 7

Karst styles in Hestern Australia [by] David C, Lowry 7

The Influence of a soil cover on limestone erosion in Cone Karst Terrain. Papua-New Guinea [by] Dave Gillieson 7

The Augusta area, S.H. of W.A. - the reasons for its karst morphology [by] Kerry Williamson and Peter Bell 8 Proceedings of 12th Conference of the ASF 1979 .-----~~~--

3

TECHNIQUES AND EQUIPMENTNQUTPMNNT - Thursday,Thur'sdQY 4 January 1979

Der'ticalVertical caving efficiency: a case study [by] Stephen Bunton 8

Caving equipment - theory, designderign andrnd testing [by] Andrew Pavey 8

SimultaneousSimul taneous multiplemnl tlplr loop closuresclGsurer forfo:r' cavernvr: surveyssux~veys - a computer program [by] Neil I. Smith 8

A Preliminary xx'epnrtreport on a systematicrystemiltlc: andond modularmoduli5T Gethodmethod of surveying and mapping [by] Peter Matthews 9

Equipment survivalsurvl va 1 underunder' expeditionerpedi tior: conditions [by][bD] Alan Warrild 9

Seismic caveCGV'?: detection madeuad:l simpleshmp1e [by] Peter Robertsondc:berteon 9

BIOLOGY,hd01DGN, PALAEONTOLOGYliLDNODTOLOGY AND ARCHAEOLOGY

Cave dwelling decapod crustaceans fromfroG Australia andond Papua-Padua" New Guinea [by] Peter Ikin & Glenn D. Campbell 10

Palaeoclimatic information fromfrc:m cavesnaecs [by][bd] Albert1,hbu,t GoedeGoc:de 10

Archaeological featuresfeatu:r'es of AustralianAuctr,rlL:n cavesCart~S [by] dudyRudy Frank 10

Proceedings of 12th Conference of the ASF 1979 4

CAVE CONSERVATION AND MANAGEMENT

MONDAY, 1 JANUARY 1979, 2.30 S.OO p.m.

THE FUTURE OF AUSTRALIA'S CAVES

Adrian Davey

The conservation status of Australia's karst resources is reviewed in the context of three main themes: planning, management, and use.

Discussion of planning problems centres around the land use conflicts affecting caves and karst features, and the adequacy of decision-making processes. Examination of management problems will look critically at the level of management in cave areas, and questions of legislative and practical protection.

One of the most difficult challenges in karst conservation is to reconcile use of caves with their conservation; some of the most serious and insidious of the damage being done to our scarce cave resources is caused by cavers and speleologists.

CAVE CONSERVATION IN AUSTRALIA FIGHTING FOR THE IMPOSSIBLE

Glenn Pure

An examination will be made of problems facing cave conservation in particular and conservation generally in Australia. Attention will be focussed on avenues open to conservationists for tackling issues and their effectiveness. Some discussion will centre on the lack of access to the courts and exclusion from governmental decision-making processes which face many Australian conservation issues today. Examples will be cited where possible. A comparison with the United States will be made.

In conclusion, there appear to be some prom~s~ng trends appearing on the Australian scene although the overall situation is still pretty poor.

THE BLACK SPELEOTHEMS OF JERSEY CAVE~ YARRANGOBILLY

A.P. Spate and J.K. Ward

Black to grey flowstones and other speleothems occur commonly in Jersey Cave and, to a lesser extent, in other tourist caves at Yarrangobilly. Preliminary investigations indicate a carbonaceous nature for the material that produces the dark coloration. The deposits occur both as a surface layer and deep within the calcite masses. An account is given of the investigations into the nature of these deposits and hypotheses are advanced for the mode of formation. Reference is made to the possible impact of cave visitors on the quality of speleothem appearance at Yarrangobilly.

ENVIRONMENTAL MONITORING IN CAVES PART 1

Neville Michie

This paper discusses a number of the measurements that are made of factors affecting the micro-climate and chemistry of caves. Proceedings of 12th Conference of the ASF 1979 •

5

CAVE CONSERVATION AND MANAGEMENT

TUESDAY j 2 JANUARY 1979 j 9.00 a.ID. 1.00 p.ID.

RESTORATION, STABILISATION AND GATING OF THE CHRISTMAS STAR EXTENSION

OF CRYSTAL CAVE (HI 62), WITCHCLIFFE) W.A.

Norm Poulter

Crystal Cave WI 62 is located in the Witchcliffe region of the Leeuwin-Naturaliste Ridge some 290 km south of Perth, W.A.

The Christmas Star Extcnsion was first entered in 1968 and by 1972 considerable sand-staining damage had occurred to the flows tone floor throughout the Extension despite the use of plastic pathway. Most damage was around the clothes-changing area where a sand bank had been spread across the floor and into a dry crystal pool.

During 1973, SRGWA undertook a major restoration program in the Extension consisting of scrubbing the floor, laying new pathways and the construction of several walls.

Time out was taken through the program to stabilise the entrance area where a strategic rock, if dislodged, threatened to initiate a major rockslide.

At a later date a gate was installed over the entrance to the Extension.

This paper will describe the restoration methods, design and construction of various walls as well as the design and construction of the gate.

RESOURCE MANAGE~ffiNT OF THE NULLARBOR CAVES

Adrian Davey

This paper will review the remarkable resources of the Nullarbor, especially of the caves, and identify some of their values. The challenge of achieving conservation and active management of these resources is considerable. Some of the conflicts and management problems will be discussed.

RECREATIONAL CAVING IN W.A. SOME HARD DATA

Ray Hart

The annual number of visits to caves in W.A. has been estimated for paying tourists, the adventurous public and speleologists. The high number of visits to wild caves by the public presents some serious problems of management. This is contrasted with the problems of less intensive but more extensive use of caves by speleologists.

ENVIRONMENTAL MONITORING IN CAVES PART 2

Neville Michie

Some techniques of measurement and the equipment used are discussed. An instrument system developed for cave work will be demonstrated.

Proceedings of 12th Conference of the ASF 1979 6

THE METHODOLOGYMETHHHOLOHH FOR '[TIETHE USEUTH OF INERTHNERT TRACERHRACEH GASESHASE:[

IN RELATION TO CAVE METEOROLOGY

RauleilY,h Webb

An outline of the various procedures for using the inert tracer gases, Freon ll~ 12 or sulphur hexafluoride, to determinedctermHTk' air movementskkvementc; in cavescanes is discussed.discacced. .. Practical examples proving air connection between two previously separate cave systems are given.given

Problems inherent in using these tracer gases in caves are discussed and compared with the advantages of the system.

OVERUSE OF CAVES AVOIDING AND REPAIRING A CASE STUDY

Ray HartHa,rt

Moondyne Cave (Augusta.(Augusta, VI.A,):; a former tourist cave,cave was studied to assess the potentialpot,';ntial for avoiding and repairingrepai:ping damage due to "normaln:;:,nrmat wearj,ItIar and tear."tea:,:;:' The potential for repair is limited~mited anddnd it is necessary to avoid damage before the repair stage is necessary. This conclusion is applied to the more difficult problemsprodtcms of cavepave menagementntanagernen in wildlId caves.CEle,ns.

MANAGEMENT OF CAVE AND Y--ARST PARKS IN YUGOSLAVIA

E. Hamilton-Smith

A series of slideselidpe and a presentation on the management ofor cave and karstkaret parksparka in Yugoslavia.

AREA AND EXPEDITION REPORTS

TUESDAY,TLldSDAd 2 JANUARY 1979 9 2.00,00 3.30 p.m.

THE FLINDERS RANGES ['-.A PERSONALrrRSONAL VIEWVIEH

Dot Paisley

The first time I travelled to the Flinders Ranges I fell in lo·Jcwlthlove with the area.arc;:} It was for a caving trip and liveI've returned many times, visited most of the caves and enjoyed the breathtaking scenery, This love of the area inspired me to learn more of both itsi te historyhistcn~y andane? geological formation :;:Ihichwhich I founifound both fascinating and rewarding.rewzlnring.

ThisThls areaarezc is uniqueun and is the dominantdomicE:t featurefc,cLCure of SouthSoutl: Australia.,L\ustraLl.a. Geologically ancient,onaient itt hashaa a shortshoEt history as far as "illTwhite te settlersE;Illtlerc,; are concerned.CEmaernall It is a semi-arid region with a sparse population but attracts thousands of visitors each year - artists, students, teachers, or just tourists. This huge influx has affected the delicatedelLEEte balancebEN:;TIce of nature.nat;m'iT;

As an amateur caver and frequent visitor I would like to present my personal overview of thethc; Flinders fromfroT*' above "mdand below ground.

Proceedings of 12th Conference of the ASF 1979 ....¥p

7

ATEA'78

Judith Bateman

The At£:akan,;;Ld,'LAtea Kanada is locatedkocated in the rainforest of the southern highlands of Papua-Newkapua-New Guinea. TheTh,£ caveVC wasW::l:~ partlyly exploredeXTlo£'ed in 197619h6 TuTbut furtherfUJ:.'tlLer investigation by 1978 expedition extended the mappedmapTed lengthleugth totu thirtythirey kilometres,, makmaking it Thethe longest cave in the southern hemisphere and Asia. Initial hopes for the southernE:ouThex'n hemksphe:pchemisphere depth P'E:cppdrecord were notpot realized.recliEed.

BATC\T RIDGESRlDGND (DUNE LIMESTONE)LDMEDTONE)

Nicholas White

GEOLOGYGEOLOGO l\NDAND GEOMORPHOLOGY

WEDNESDAY~ 3 JANUARY 1979, 9.00 a.m, 12.00 noon

KARST REGIONS OF PAPUA-NEW GUINEA t.A MULTEPNDTRALMULTI SPECTRAL VIEWVOE:W

DaveDuVt.' GilliesonGillE:escn

The LANDSAT program and its application to karst geomorphology in New Guinea.

STREAM CAVES IN THE MOIST SOUTH-WEST OF WESTERN AUSTRALIA

Kerry WilliamsonWi amcon

CurrentLurment ideasiDeap onOIL the formation of SCr'eamstream cavesca.ves in the higher rainfall areas of SWWA (Yanchep(YancheN south)sputl» are,iTC reviewed. TheThp effectsehfec ts of streamstn::am flowfTow regime andanT E'ott::rate ofoh flow, topography, the underlying basement rocks,rocks pre-limestone marinemaripe transgress­tranngress­ ionsLons and collapsec:olNapse on thethc three parts ofoN the stream cave hydrologic system (the insurgenceinsurg:::nco area,aT'ea the betweenbetEleun CilVC,cave, the ,::x:;;urhenceexsurgence ,.lred)area) andilnd on thetN:E resulting karst landscape are discussed.discussed,

KARST STYLES PI WESTERN\.]ESTERN AUSTRALIAAUSTR11,Llh

David C. Lowry

Western Australia contains several very different karst terrains. The differences canccm be related:r~cl:ENeh to contrastscOIltc'tlshs'in in lithology)hitNology) structurestrrcture and climate. These three factors interact inLin complexcOlnplcx ::laY",ways so that often twotC'ld or ohrmothree of thehhe factorsfactons areore involved in the interpretation of each feature. The karst areas described ,Ereare Devonian ReefReof Limestones ofilf Chethe West Timberley,Kimberley; Tertiary Open Shelf Limestone of the NullarborNullilrhor and BarrowBorrow Island;tslilnd anda:nd Quarternary Eolianitefo.liani t(: ofod the south-westerncoulh-:ceshern coast.coast,

THE INFLUENCE OF A SOIL COVER ON LIMESTONE EROSION IN CONE KARSTKANST TERRAIN,TfRFIl'lHI: ~~-----...--~ ..... -.~----,-- .... _. PAPUA-NEW GUINEAGUtNDA

Dave Gillieson

Proceedings of 12th Conference of the ASF 1979 THE AUGUSTA AREA, S.W. OF W.A. THE REASONS FOR ITS KARST MORPHOLOGY

Kerry Williamson and Peter Bell

Within a several square km belt of Coastal Limestone south-east of Turner Brook are found the only known extensive nothephreatic shallow watertable maze caves in the Coastal Limestones of Australia. The physiography, soils, vegetation and distribution of karst features in the area are described, and an hypothesis proposed to explain the occurrence of maze caves in this restricted area.

TECHNIQUES AND LQUIPMENT THURSDAY, 4 JANUARY 1979, 9.00 a.m. 12.30 p.m.

VERTICAL CAVING EFFICIENCY A CASE STUDY

Stephen Bunton

This paper uses a recent exploration of a world-renowned, sporting, vertical cave in New Zealand as a case study to illustrate the factors to be considered in vertical caving. Single rope techniques were used. No account is given of personal techniques but rather this paper treats the exploration party as a team operating to maximize exploration efficiency. Outlined in the paper are the necessary considerations to be taken into account in explorations of this nature.

CAVING EQUIPMENT THEORY, DESIGN AND TESTING

Andrew Pavey

A careful analysis of the plwlished literature has revealed both sophisticated analyses of caving equipment 1 its function and design parameters on one hand and an abysmal grasp of this on the part of many speleo journalists.

Application of physical analysis to modern caving equipment leads to specification of design criteria which can then be evaluated via laboratory and field testing. This procedure is applied to several basic pieces of caving equipment - rope, karabiners and descenders being the principal hardware upon which lives depend.

Following evaluation of published test data and methods, international standard testing methods seem called for. Draft outlines are proposed.

SIMULTANEOUS MULTIPLE LOOP CLOSURES FOR CAVE SURVEYS A COMPUTER PROGRAM

Neil I. Smith

Various methods are in common use for adjustment of survey station coordinates when loops fail to close (due to measurement inaccuracies). Most methods are based more on convenience than mathematical analysis (e.g. distributing errors equally between legs, or in proportion to leg lengths). Furthermore, when several interconnecting loops exist the closures are usually adjusted consecutively; hence second and subsequent locps may have errors artificially introduced into them by earlier closures.

The problem is amenable to fairly simple mathematical analysis 5 which is described in this paper. Regard each measurement of distance, bearing and slope as being the best estimate available of a IItrue"Ittrue" value implied by the final adjusted station coordinates; coordinates are calculated in such a way as to minimise the sum-of-squares of the differencesProceedings between of 12th Conference these of the implied ASF 1979 and measured values. - -

9

Weight factors may be included to reflectr:~flecu theuhe fact thatlhat someaome measurementsoaasm""ament:a werewe:PE: performed morempre accuratelyaecura lely thant:han others.pther::: The surveysnf'vey is laekedlooked at as a wholewhohe- - the number of closed loops is immaterial. Each loop merely introduces constraints intoipto the minimisation prohlem.problem.

The computation (simultaneous linear equations) would be very time consuming by handhaad blxtbut is routine forfOT' a computer. A xrOhT'amprogram is describeddec::uC:'ibeL for caveaave surveyaurV':;h data based on the above.

A PRELIMINARY REPORT ON A SYSTE11ATIC AND MODULAR METHOD

OF SURVEYING AND MAPPING

PeterPet:"x' MatthewsMallLew""

ProblemsPa'obPams withth incompatibleirLoompetibl,,' and unwieldy maps causedaddsed the ::;:earchsearch for a bealerbetter system. The solution being tried, and still under development is a practical implementationimplement<::tlon afof theth,; so-calledso-c.,alle:1 jistr:':,:':tjistreet directoryl1 method,1ll,,;thGd perhapspe:chaps betterl:ettcr calledcahPad modular;T;edular mapping.mahhing

ThePhe system produceshroddees allell routinerCJutinc mapsmap,,;, ;:sas modulesmodule;:;: 200 mmTnm squarer:qmare oncn A4Ah sheets,she,cllls) and at a range of standard scales chosen to suit both the particular area and the type of caves. The boundaryboundory of eacheacl: sheetoheut is fixed,flxed anhisand is determinedd,,;hermined strictly fromhrom a metricmet'f,j c gridld standardisedsoandardiseh on for thettl:;' area,arf;,f, andan::L notno on thetha presentprE:aent fland:;:T,ing:twanderings of any cave. The grid is preferably the Australian Map Grid or close to it1 but mayray in factfaah be a grid decideddecIded upon if no AMG!\t'lG controluontr()P points can be established in the area. Maps at different scales are used either as a close or an overall viGWvicw of the caves or the area, andcmd alsoal::o tot() act asilS key sheetsshc:;ts for theth:" nextnext: scaleSCil.ha down.hown

The set of01' :"heolcsheets cancall be thought of as an::an t1 aattiC]::::"tlas" for the area.are,,; EachEnah newna1;; surveysuxx:':y fillsf:illa :motheranother gap in the overall mosaic. Non--standard maps for special purposes are still drawn as required.

EQUIPMENT SURVIVAL,-, JRVITpL UNDERUlIDER EXPEDITIONJ:XPLDATI CONDITIONSCONhITIOI·IS

Alan Warrild

As well as being mentally and physically taxing on individuals, any expedition is alsoalcil thethE; ultimateul f'imate test of cavingcZIxing equipment. TheThc tlTEJ\ATEA '78 expeditionet:pedl tion :'lhichwhich • spent two monthsrnontho in thenhe mudm;h of N:..'WNew Guinea'sh;;!\neo Muller Plateautateilll waswac no :";;ception.exception.

• This I),clpenpaper will attempt to showshm'l ;::om::some ofZIf the weaknesseswcaJ:ne:::e::,s and strengths of the gear which was used on the ATEAATEA"78 178 Expedition.Expeditiono

SEISMIC CAVE DETECTION MADE SIMPLE

Peter Robertson

Amothoc?A practical method ofc:f cave detectiond:::techJcn usingualng simpleimpl:: seL:ricseismic methodsr:':hhods anJand equipment.cquddment. Investigations have proved that the equipment developed recently and used by the author will detectck:tect cavescaw:;: in xClric:u:::various tYdCStypes ofod limestone.lim:;::"tonc It has in manymccN casesCUC::C:S indicatedinclicated passage widths and position accurately and with further investigation it may be possible to calculate dedthdepth as well.

Proceedings of 12th Conference of the ASF 1979 10

BIOLOGY, PALAEONTOLOGY AND ARCHAEOLOGY

THURSDAY, 4 JANUi:RYJANUARY 191979~ 79 ~ 2.00 ..,v.~. 30 p.m.

CAVE DVTELLING DECAPOD CRUSTACEANS FROH AUSTEALIA AND PAPUA-NEW GUINEA

Peter Ikin and Glenn D. Campbell

Three families of decapod crustaceans are represented in the cave faunas of Australia and Papua-New Guinea. One family, the Sundathelphusidae, occurs in caves in both countries \<1hile the remaining t\VO families are recorded from the Australian cave fauna. The distribution of the families in the region is compared with the distribution of karst areas.areas, The Australian cave decapod fauna is compared with the much better docu~ented American fauna. Some hypotheses are advanced to explain the evolution of this element of the.the Australian cave fauna.

PALAEOCLIMATIC INFORMATION FROM CAVES

Albert Goede ; Pa~aeoclimatic information can be obtained from caves by analyzing the oxygen isotope compositioncon~osition of calcite and aragonite deposited as stalagmites.

A palaeotemperature record is useful only if it can be dated. In the last decade considerable proeress has been made in the radiometric dating of speleo­ thems by means of the ura.nium-thorium method. Material from 2000 to 300 000 years old can be dated by this method.

Two oxygen isotopes 160 and 180 are used in palaeotemperature work. In nature there are small natural variations in the ratio betwten the two (180 / 160) and the value of the ratio is temperature dependent. The values can be measured by means of a stable isotope mass spectrometer and are expressed as parts per thousand (0/00)' and designated as 6180. Measurements are made on sealed samples of carbon dioxide gas prepared from calcium carbonate,

If closely spaced samples arc taken from a longitudinal section of a stalagmite and the value of 6 180 determined for each sample a curve of temperature change against time can be plotted if the age of different layers within the stalagmites can also be determined.

Tasmania, the south-east of Australia and the south-west of Western Australia offer considerable scope for this field of research.

ARCHAEOLOGICAL FEATURES OF AUSTRALIAN CAVES

Rudy Frank t1&ny important archeeological sites occur in caves and rock shelters. These mainly include art sites (paintings or engravings) and occupation sites (sites used for habitation o:.~ other activities, e.g. flint mining). It is likely that with careful observation more sites will be found. Often such sites will have been visited ovel~ a long period of tim0 before they are recognised. This paper endeavours to describe and illustrate the features of archaeological sitessit~s fo~~dfo~,d and most likely to be encountered in Australian caves. Hopefully, so that people most using and visiting caves might become aware of what to look for and thus give sites proper curation and management sooner thautha,l might otherwise have been the case. A brief outline of the sort of information speleossPeleos could usefully record and some recording techniques are given. Site protection and preservation is also discussed. Proceedings of 12th Conference of the ASF 1979 ; . f I.' I • "If; :.' ;

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published by

WESTERN AUSTRALIAN SPELEOLOGICAL GROUP NEDLANDS

DECEMBER 1978

•

INTRODUCTION

This publication is intended to provide information and background to people interested in the caves of the south-west of Western Australia. Participants at WACCON, the 12th Biennial Conference of the Australian Speleological Federat­ ion, 1979, in Perth, W.A., will find it of value in various areas for field trips. The south-west areas treated are from Augusta north to Eneabba.

Many people have contributed to the production of this booklet. Barry and Frank Loveday have been responsible for an incredible amount of research to produce the information on the Leeuwin-Naturaliste Ridge, except for the Augusta area. Barry compiled the area map just for this publication. Barry and Frank also prcduced most of the other maps. Peter Bell wrote the Augusta information and produced the maps of Jewel and Old Kudardup Cave. Peter has been responsible for the production of the front cover, a picture from Old • Kudardup Cave. Rauleigh Webb wrote the Eneabba information. Kerry Williamson wrote the geological notes and the information for all other areas not previously accounted for. Printing of the maps was by the Community Recreation Council. All other printing was by W.A.S.G.

It is hoped you will find the publication of use and interest and that it will aid your enjoyment of the caves in Western Australia.

Cave Guide of 12th Conference of the ASF 1979 2

CONTENTS.

INTRODUCTION 1 GEOLOGY AND GEOMORPHOLOGY 3 South-west of Western Australia - Coastal Limestone 3 Leeuwin-Naturaliste 4 HISTORY OF THE LEEUWIN-NATURALISTE 4 CAVING AREAS AND CAVES Augusta 6 • WitchcliffeWi tchcliffe 8 l1argaret River 10 Cowaramup 11 Yallingup 11 Lower West Coast 12 Yanchep 12 Geology and geomorphologyofgeomorphology of Yanchep 13 Moora 13 Nambung 13 History 13 Geomory>hology 13 Eneabba 14 History 14 Geomorphology 14 Fauna 15

LATERITE AND~ GRANITE CAVES 15 REFERENCES 15 TABLE 1 - Occurrence of selected fauna (Eneabba area) 16 MAPS • Leeuwin-Naturaliste Ridge Inside front cover Strongs Cave and related features Facing p. 1 Kudardup Cave AU 9 Facing p. 6 Jewel Cave AU13AU 13 Facing p. 7 Milligans Cave MR 19 Facing p. 10 Meekadorabee Cave CO 8 Facing p. 11 Ketalack Cave YA 26-27 Back cover·

Cave Guide of 12th Conference of the ASF 1979 3

GEOLOGY AND GEOMORPHOLOGY form gorges of construction (Jenl:i.ngs~ 1968). South-west of Western Australia North of-Perth, even very large rivers Coastal Limestone (for example, the 160 km long Arr'ov,,, smith River) are very seasonal in The Coastal Limestone is believed to their flow and could be blocked by t~.:c.:­ have formed 100 000 to 300 000 years encroaching dunes. _ This has resuJ.t-ec. ago. At that time, extensive glaci­ in some very large streams sinki!1f dn·~. ations caused the lowering of the sea forming large cave systems, fOl' f~xa~[lJ='l,~" level as much as 60 metres below the river entering the StockYaI'd GuLL.? present levels. The south-west of system has been measured at 40 CUS0.t!S. i.A. is one of the windiest sections of temperate coastline in the world. The streams whose downstream COlll'se:=:;: The high wave and wind energy results had been crossed by the dune belt~ in a fast flux of sand-sized particles would continue to flow through th~ from the sea to the beaches to the porous dunes along their old COUl"ses" , active dune belts beyond. These though some pending would produce particles are mainly calcareous and of swamps. These ~egetation-choked biological origin, viz. mainly mollusc swamps would, with time, play a"J. shell fragments, fragments of the important role in contributing to tht-~ calcareous red algae, and the micro­ aggressiveness of the stream wate-;-.·-s. scopic skeletons of Foraminifera. Other particles are derived from the When the dtme belt solidified into erosion of the basement rocks and the limestone a cavity could fOl:'m abov~ reworking of soils. These are mainly· the stream. This cavity was widened quartz in the Leeuwin-Naturaliste and undercut by the stream until h Ridge, with some feldspars, garnets became too wide for the roof to and heavy minerals. support the weight of limestone a:bc'.,~, At this stage a collapse occtU'ed l;!'o­ This sand, over several incursions ducing a collapse dome or i n ~0:;ie inland, blew into large dunes up to cases the collapse follol-led lines of 200 metres above sea level. These weakness such as d~~e bedding o~ soil dunes became stabilised by vegetation horizons. The weakness of the Ccast~l and the contemporaneous processes of Limestone results in a preponderance soil formation, lithification and of collapse fOl~S, both doline and karstification began to occur. The cave passage, often of!onsiderablc lithification or solidification of the size. dunes- is caused by rainwater, during the wet season, dissolving out part While the dune was solidifying, t!'eE< of the carbonate of lime which is then roots going deep within the sand wou'Ld carried downwards to the watertable or act as conduits for the flow of the gneiss basement. During the dry percolation water. Sand around tbes€ season, reprecipitation of this carb­ roots would not lithity, leaving a onate of lime produced a very hard tube of loose sand through the a ~)Jj .;} caprock near the surface, with less rock. If a collapsing cave in"::e:>­ well-cemented limestone below and a sected such a tube, the sand plus leached quartz sand above. With some su~face soil would fall into the time,I..Llne, the quartz sand developed into cave producing a soil cone and a shaft·shaft mature soils ranging from humic loams or solution pipe. Many caves are to terra rosas with ferricrete. These entered by such pipes. processes continue at the present. As the Coastal Limestone consists ()fof One factor important to the develop­ sand grains cemented together, ~Jawater tE'!' ment of caves in this area is the ease can move downwards between the gr·ain.sgr·ains with which the northward-migrating whereas with impermeable C!·ystallinec:;:·ystalllne dune belts helped by prevailing winds limestones this percolation is restrict"restrict, threw barriers of dune sand over the ed to the joints. Thus, stra"ds;.stra:flS;. staJo,sta1~· courses and valleys of small streams actites, etc., can occ~occur over the which lacked the flow of water in whole roof of a cave, and th(~the pl'ejJonc.~pl'ej;.lOnc.­ summer necessary to resist the en­ erance of small pores favour'Sfavours th:ath.a croaching sand. More perennial .- formation of hellctihelictites.tes • The mini'nalmi!li~nal streams such as Turner Brook and role played.played by joints (if any) in dO:.,11·'dO~'i'n­ Cave Guide of 12th Conference of the ASF 1979 Yallingup Brook modified the dunes to ward perco::.a.tionpe~co:a.tion of lV'atel'lvate~c disfav,Yt,lrSdisfavvurs , the formation of rimstones as concen­ Streams are thus not confined to trated flows of such waters are rare. valleys and complicated hydrological The sloping roofs reflecting dune systems past and present result from bedding favour the formation of collapse diversion of cave streams. shawls of which there are many fine examples. Surface karst forms are rare, being precluded by soil cover and lithology, North of Perth stalagmites are more Linear karren are rare in poorly cem­ common and obvious. A recent suggest­ ented calcarenites, but in some indur­ ion (Dick Van der Roest, pers. comm.) ated caprocks small sections of rillen­ is that a temperature gradient between karren occur, for example, Yallingup roof and floor may be responsible in Cave entrance. Splash and rain-pitted these shallow caves below a sparsely karren are common on exposures espec­ vegetated hot surface. ially near the sea .. At the slope of the younger Augusta limestone onto the The connnon occurrence of sand grains older~ and on remnants of similar in the caves) derived from soils and limestone in northern Witchcliffe, areas stream dissolution of calcarenite, of karst pavement with local runoff • favours the formation of oolites. The pipes occur. Extensive karst pave­ complete life history of an oolite ments occur'in the Eneabba area. nest from initiation to final cement­ ation has been observed over the last 20 years in the Easter Cave dig. Geology and Geomorpliology of the

Asphodelites, a peculiar flower-like Leeuwin-Naturaliste splatter formation formed on cave floors by very saturated drip waters, The Leeuwin-Naturaliste Ridge Coastal have been described from Calgardup Limestones stretch for 80 km atop a Cave, Blackboy Hollow and Deepdene ridge of Granite-Gneiss and Granulites Cave by Bridge (1972). which show considerable local variations in relief for W.A. The cave areas in Halite exudation which plays a very this ridge~ from south to north,are important role in the Nullarbor caves Augusta, Witchcliffe, Margaret River, is of less importance in the south­ Cowaramupand Yallingup. west but forms undercuts in seaward facing gorges and peels the skin off The Witchcliffe area and the three stalagmites in Quinninup Lake Cave. areas north of it are typified by stream cave systems whereas the Augusta Extensive moonmilk forms are common area is typified by shallow nothe­ around entrances in Coastal Limestone phreatic maze caves. Recent extensive caves. This is the combined result mapping, some geomorphological and of the mUltiplicity of percolation geological interpretation and the pores and the seasonal wetting and beginnings of a hydrological invest­ drying of this area of the cave. In igation have given rise to a fairly the north where the climate is more complex (but tenable) hypothesis fo~ seasonal, the zone of wetting and the formation of the Augusta caves drying is more extensive and conse­ which further work shall put to the quently the zone of moonmilk is more test. extensive. Witchcliffe cave streams drain swamps. The rocks underlying the limestone Further north, the basement hasbas a . affect drainage patterns and hence greater relief and catchments and the mode of formation of caves. The streams are smaller. Hence active Leeuwin-Naturaliste limestones are streams are rarer and inclined fissure underlain by Granite-Gneisses and caves more common. Granulites at least 660 million years old. Streams are swiftly flowing and confined more or less to their HISTORY OF THE LEEUWIN - NATURALISTE gneissic river valleys. In contrast~ the limestones of the Swan Coastal Between Cape Naturaliste and Cape Plain overlie softer Tertiary sedi­ Leeuwin lies a belt of dune limestone ments and in most cases this contact some 80 km long and 7 km wide at the is below local watertable levels. maximum, ;ntersected only in places Cave Guide of 12th Conference of the ASF 1979 5 by various streams and rivers and cer­ and slides and printed pamphlets of tain geological features such as the a descriptive character. These were Boranup Sand Patch. In this area can sent to tourist centres throughout the be found more than 200 speleological world advertising the caves of the features and caves. south-west. Over a period of more than 100 years, In 1910 the caves Board was partly this area has been explored and sur­ abolished and in 1914 it was fully veyed by numerous groups of early integrated into the Licence and Liquor settlers and surveyors and later, in Board which was in control of the the last 20 years, by members of the State Hotels. Many of the tourist Western Australian Speleological caves became neglected and although Group. the caretaker of the caves, Tim Connolly, appealed for money for The earliest reports on exploration repairs, it was denied. of caves were mentioned in a report in the newspaper The Inquirer dated Slowly over the next two decades from 1848 by a Mr Turner of Augusta giving 1920 onwards, many of the installat­ a detailed description of some caves ions in the tourist caves were damaged explored in that area near Augusta. or destroyed by bush fires or by One such cave could possibly be the neglect through lack of funds. Old Kudardup Cave which has on excell­ ent display of historic cave graffiti Two events were important in this on its formation. During the l880s period. Lake Cave flooded in 1924. and l890s more major caves were dis­ This required the contracting of covered when the forest was cleared mining engineers to construct a by the M.C. Davies Timber Co. and shaft to drain off the flood water also by the Bussells who were early after the flooding so the cave could settlers in the district. Caves in again be opened for tourism. these areas have also been found to contain the names of early settlers In 1928 visits to the caves had written on the formation. reached over 2000 people per year. In 1936 a huge bushfire swept through The turn of the century saw the the caves reserve, burning and destroy­ establishment of the Caves Board by ing most of the entrance ladders to J.W. H3ckett for the purpose of Bride's cave forcing the closure of managing the caves for tourism. this cave to possible use by the Between 1901 to 1914 more than 14 public. caves were developed for tourism and recreation and several other caves From the early 1930s to 1950, much were partly developed but were never caving and exploring was done by opened. The first caves in the south­ Rudduck, including the entering of west to be developed with electric the downstream section of Strongs lighting were Yallingup Cave in 1903 Cave in 1938. By the 1950s, only and later Northcote Grotto in 1905 five caves were open to the public, while the caves in the Margaret River of which three of these are still open area were still being lit by magnes­ today. ium lamps. caversCavers exploring in the Augusta area The Government commissioned Marmaduke in the late 1950s discovered the Terry in 1900 to survey all speleo­ majestic Jewel Cave system which has logical features above ground between 3 km of passageways. This cave was Yallingup and Augusta. This above developed for tourism and opened to ground survey is the basis for the the public in 1959 by Sir David W.A.S.G. Cave Lists in the south-west Brand, thus closing Moondyne Cave today. Later in 1902, Yallingup Cave nearby. was also surveyed by Terry and a proposal for a shaft to a cave in Around this time, the same small group Yallingup Gorge was put forward but of cavers, some of whom were later later this plan was abandoned. to form the nucleus that was to be­ come W.A.S.G., discovered some major During the years 1907 to 1909 the extensions in a cave nearby called Cavescaves Board promoted an extensiveCave Guide of 12th Conference of the ASFEaster 1979 Cave. These discoveries advertising campaign with lectures promoted the founding of W.A.S.G. "4i

Later in 1960, it was ~mbcrs~rri:Trr'rrrS ofoi:T this car park. It contains many blowholes same fledgling caYing groupgI")S&P thatthai:T dis­Pis- spurting waternate)J up to six metresmeernrr on covered and explored Labyrinth Cave. rough days. This gave rise to increasing activity by caverscarrrrs anda:nP W.A.S.G.W.A . wentw±;'nn fromfrOiT} Leeuwintrrnuwin Light: Builthuilt in 1890s18rTPe by strengthstrenpth to strength,rrtrength, with the dis­Pis- M.C.E~LC. Davies and Co. entirely out of covery of the upstream section of local limestone, it is the tallest I StrongsStroilhn in 1960EtO ashand the Christmas lighthouse in W.A. CheckCIH='ck atai:T thei:The Star extension in Crystal Cave in lighthouse forfo)~~ inspection times. 1968. Leeuwin WaterWeter Whrrel:Wheel: Builtlkdlt in the In thetb'i last decade,hncads majorrajo)~~ findsEnds have 1800s to supply water to the light­light= been Terry Cave, Winjans, Boya Booka, house and Augusta, the wheel is now Beenup and many more. Major extens­extens- completely covered with calcite from ions havetnve been fosahfound in Eastertarrter Cave,Cnre, the spring which flowsflorrlC over

Covering an area just over 16 kmkID long The caves. There are 29 known speleo­ from Cape Hamelin in the north to logical features and caves in Augusta. Cape Leeuwin in thsthe south,couth thehhe The possibilityposchhilitb ofilf finding morerz)c~e is AugustaAugusts caving area,ar,='s, desihnnteddesignated AU,, certain,cc)~tain, thehhe only limitingEng factorhEirrhor contains a belt of coastal limestone being the dense forest around them consisting ofnf PleistocenePleiSi:T)cenrr depositstrrposi and the generally smallsmatt entrancesentilrnces to laid downC<;>wn during glaciation periods.perhnhs. the caves.cailnrr MostMnct of the cavescavrrc have Some characteristics of the aeolian­ solution pipe entrances, and a few ite are sharp jagged limestone which have large collapse entrances.entrances The has h±)nnbeen greatlygrn)Ltly erodedrrnnted by high caves'e1Hnes are phreaticphrrrnhhc aHtand can be divideddivibrrh rainfall,rainhahl, very heavy vegetation into two categories. (Karri Eucalyptus diverswowr)diverswolozo) , heavyheash undergrowths andE£nd manymanp speleo­speC±)')J- 1. Caves reaching water table: TheseTbeHe 10giz)nClogical featuresfeablrr'es and caves.caVl,'S caves are complex in their layout. There are four known caves in tiis Climate. The climate here is Medi­Medi- category,categorb namely,namrrl P Easter,Earrtrrn~, Jewel,J +:')fel, Moon­MHHil- terranean,terrnnnan, humid and receivesrecrrCnrrS a tCghhigh dyne anPand Labyrinth.LabyrinLh. If one lookstnnks at annual rainfall followed by a short the walls, ceiling and formations of summer drought. Temperatures often these caves, it can be seen that the rise to 40°C40oC, so if younou can'tt keep riserr'~tce andanh fallHall of the waterreter tableLchle hashilC your coolcoot inCn theths caves everyrrvery day,, the been considerablyrrrrnsibj:;c~ably Hcsponchhleresponsible for local beaches will offer a pleasant their formation. The depth of these .. alternativeslternatire to sseneven the most dedica­ cavescavrrrr is approximatelyi:Tcly 4t42 metresilietrerr atct ted caver.CaV)l)~~ waterwat(l:;~~ level.tevet TheyTheb arenre all heavily decorated, predominantly with straws. Tourism. Tourism is an important They have many complex interconnecting industryh:nhustry ofrrf the Leeuwin-Naturalisteheeuwhil=Natm'nhistE' passages.pasrrnCJj's. These cavesililnes showshilrrz a vague Ridge,, so if you can spare a dayhay from north-eastnorLh-east trend due to the underlying caving, go touring as there is a lot Pre-Cambrian gneiss. One common to see. Withinhithiil the Augusta areaililea are:-are feature of Lhesethese cavesccces isic thathhat they are multi-level,,hnring having as many as fowfoUl:' Cosy Corner: A great beach, sheltered different levels. It is these levels and ideal for children.children While you'reyou' that explain the h)~~+:lsenccpresence cfof caves notnoe ttnre,there, checkdiz)ck outOilt the limestone out­out= reaching wctZ)rwater table. crop on the beach to the south of Cavethe Guide of 12th Conference of the ASF 1979 "

SURVEYEDBY PETER BELL SCALE 1-500 DRAFTEDrPETER BELL 8-6-77 I BARRY LOVEDAY GRADE 5 , I JANE SCOTT , 30 6-6-77 • .. ~. <& • .: '. •• • .. ' Cave ...... •••• '.0.· Guide .,~~::: of • ::' I 12th ' .. Conference ••• Ie. ... ·~ ::. ,: ti'.. •

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KUDARDUP CAVE AU 9 I::EWEl CM AU131 ~ Cave Guide of 12th Conference

of SURVEYED BY PETER BELL the DRAWN AND DRAFTED

ASF BARRY LOVEDAY FRANK LOVEDAY BY PETER BELL­ 1979 JIM CAMPBELL SCALE= FINLAY CAMPBELL BRUCE DOWNES ROSEMARY SEFTON RAY,ROS HART KERRY WILLIAMSON ALAN RONK BRUCE PEREY •-- I.BBCl ~:

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2. Caves not reaching water table: deep. The two chambers are heavily These caves are generally much smaller decorated with columns and stalactites. and are usually vertically developed, When visiting the eastern chamber, take for example, Harleys Cave and Bat note of the old rimstone pools, some Cave. These caves are surely consol­ of which are over 1 m deep. Deepdene idated for extension into bigger was developed to a small degree as a systems as they are probably remnants tourist cave around 1900. It was of higher water levels. As cave de­ never opened to the public. Although velopment would still have occurred only ~ small cave, a typical photo­ while water level fell, it is possible graphic trip can last several hours so that there are small tunnels, now be sure to take water with you. While blocked by soil, which lead to lower in the cave, examine the walls. Deep­ levels. Evidence supporting this is dene is packed with small helictites. the discovery of Easter Cave. Origin­ No special equipment is needed to ally a small sand-floored chamber, enter Deepdene Cave, which is all digging at the lowest point broke into horizontal. a system over 8 km in length at a • lower level. Har leys Cave AU 6. Surveys have proved that Harleys Cave, which is about 100 m Formations in the caves. Straws and from Labyrinth on the surface, comes to helictites are the most common type within 1 m of Labyrinth underground. of formation to be found in the caves There is limited photography in the of Augusta. In such caves, as Easter, cave, the main attraction being the Labyrinth and Jewel, there are liter­ entrance pitch, a fifteen metre solu­ aly thousands showering from the ceil­ tion pipe which opens out into a large ings, some reaching up to four metres bell-shaped chamber with excell~nt in length. Some are completely acoustics. A small extension on the transparent and almost all are active. southern wall will lure the more They present a challenging task to sporting caver. A series of vertical photographers. squeezes leads to a small well~decor­ ated chamber. It is at this point that Helictites in amazing forms are to be it is carved closest to Labyrinth. found in all the caves, but the most Typical time in Harleys would be no spectacular are to be found in Easter more than two hours. Equipment need­ Cave where some grow horizontally out ed is 15 m ladder and rope as there from the wall for 60 cm or longer. are good belay points nearby. Excellent displays of columns and stalactites can be seen in most of Old Kudardup Cave AU 9. Formed on the the Augusta Caves. Old Kudardup high slopes of the new dunes, this possibly has the best display, its cave is one of the most interesting columns being over 18 metres high. to see. The cave is a large s.:~ngle Large formations like the above are chamber with no side extensions. It particularly common in these caves, has formed in massive dimensions, over perhaps due to the high rainfall and 30 m deep with a ceiling 30 m above h\Dllidity. They are nearly always the cave floor, massive col\DllnS havl:; found in the upper levels of the caves. grown up to 18 m high near the entr­ ance. Photographically, Old Kudardup Calcite crystals can be seen in three \..00.Cave YC CaTlcan OI"le:r:offer impl"1essiimpressive Ve srjotsshots of thei..llc; of the caves. Jewel Cave has some columns. Most of the roof decoration fine crystal pools which can be seen is too high to be photographed. Old on inspection of the cave. Deeondeeup Kudardup Cave is recommended to every­ which is part of Jewel Cave has the one, just to see a really nice easy best display. Here a wall of the cave cave. some 18 m high is completely studded with crystals up to 10 cm in length. Jewel Cave AU 13. Jewel cave is a Easter Cave has Tiffanys, an old complex phreatic cave ~ km long of crystal pool 4 m long and 1 m deep. which only 40% has been developed for Crystals up to 10 cm long cling to tour:·.sm.tour:o.sm. Opened to the public in all parts of the pool. 1960, Jewel Cave has been thoughtfullythoughtfully developed to show the cave off to Deepdene Cave AU 1. This cave is visitors and not to make just the noted for its massive formations. easiest path. Lighting is all natural Consisting of twotwo large chambers,Cave Guide ofthe 12th Conference of the andASF 1979indirect.indirect.· Formations in Jewel cave is just over 100 m longlong and 35 m are identical to Easter and Labyrinth. 8

Formations are excellent. A straw Consisting of two large chambers, measuring about 580 cm is the longest Moondyne is the smallest of the four in a tourist cave. There are many caves which reach the water table. flowstone canopiescanopies~s including the The lower chamber, which was once an famous Organ Pipes. Myriads of old crystal pool, is completely straws can be seen reflected in the covered with calcite flakes. This lake at the lowest level of the cave. is known as the Snowflake Chamber The price of a tour is reasonable and contains some side extensions and the tour lasts for one hour. with fine displays of helictites. Photographers are encouraged, so Carbon dioxide levels are often high take your cameras and get some re­ in this chamber. warding shots. The upper chamber is in complete Easter Cave AU 14. Easter Cave is the contrast to the lower containing longest and most heavily decorated many large columns and stalagmites, cave in the south-west. A typical and also some very long straws. trip lasts 8 hours so supplies of RunoursRUJrours of a 7+ m straw are yet to • food are necessary. The entrance is be verified. Moondyne Cave is one a 12 m shaft which is best laddered. to be enjoyed by all cavers. This opens into a large sand-floored chamber. At the lowest point of the There are very few active surface chamber, a small crawl leads to the streams and places to obtain water system. From here on it is walkable in the Augusta caving area during most of the way. As you enter the s.wruner. Take supplies of water on crawl, look to the right for cave all field trips. Temperatures are pearls. These are 20 years old and bound to be high and considerable began growing when the tunnel was distances must be walked to reach dug through. The Epstein Section caves. If at any time you are contains the most well-known form­ separated from a party and become lost, ation in the cave, the Epstein always head east and you will arrive Sculpture, a helictite of massive at the Caves Road. size hanging from the ceiling.

Labyrinth AU 16. Labyrinth is a WITCHCLIFFE phreatic maze of interconnecting passages. Entry is as with Easter, The most extensive caving area in the a 12 m shaft best laddered. The south-west is the Witchcliffe area, formation is excellent, straws stretching from south of CalgardupCalgarclup being the dominant feature. Laby­ Brook to the Boranup Sand Patch. rinth has two main trends, north­ This sector contains over 135 speleo­ west and south-west. Both are logical features of which 40 are photogenic with the south-west major caves. The campsites of several having the edge. A visit to the caving groups can be found in the Winged Eagle's Nest is worthwhile. Boranup area of this section. From Labyrinth is also very sporting. these sites most of the caving activ­ There are a few sumps and lots of ities are conducted. mud squeezes. Most of the trip is spent walking or crawling along A good proportion of the stream caves phreatic tubes containing water and are to be found in the northern part mud. of this area. The best example of these is the Mammoth chain, consist­ Moondyne Cave AU 11. Moondyne is an ing of three large cave systems form­ old tourist cave which was closed in ed by the same stream but separated 1958. It has recently been the sub­ only by the collapse of limestone. ject of an exercise in cave restor­ Mammoth Cave is the inflow and is also ation. A concentrated effort by W.A. a tourist cave. It is followed by S.G. has seen the introduction of Terry Cave, then Conference Cave. track-marking, removal of old stairs Recently a new chain of caves, which and the cleaning of formation. is slightly to the north, has been Fortunately a lot of the damage has found. This is believed to be where been reversible and Moondyne still once the stream flowed and could retains its beauty and is excellent possibly be an older stream system. for photography. The cave has goodCave Guide of 12th ConferenceTerry of the CaveASF 1979 is the only cave in this displays of columns and helictites. system which requires equipment, that 9 is, a 15 m ladder and ~pe to descend Arumvale Caves and Arumvale Pipe the main entrance pitch. The other plus numerous smaller caves and five caves in this area are also well karst features. Strongs is the finest worth a visit and require no equip­ stream cave in the area. ment but a guide is needed to locate them. Strongs Cave is an excellent cave to visit. It has a small circular doline A little over 1 km to the north of with a vertical shaft at the bottom Mammoth Cave is Calgardup Cave which leading down to a rubble .pile and then used to be an old tourist cave. down to the stream. Downstream from From here one can take the Bobs the entrance, the passage is low, and Hollow Track to the beach (4 WOWD is of the 80 m of passage, only 50 m can advised). Here one can see Bobs be comfortably traversed. From the Hollow Cave, the only example of an entrance to the upstream section, the efflux cave to be found in close Western Australian Museum's palaeontc­ p~ximity to the sea so far known in logical dig must be walked arou.-:c. u..L1G.u.r.-lG. this locality. Inland from Bobs a hole negotiated to get to the lower Hollow is Connollys Cave, this being chamber. Several other rockpiles and the longest known stream cave in the crawls are passed through, including Witchcliffe area. It is an excellent the Snowflake Passage, before reach­ sporting cave consisting of well over ing the main stream passage. Moving 1000 m of passageway known and still upstream past the rapids, which con­ room for exploration. There are vert­ sist of gneiss bedding covered with ical squeezes and also a number of tree roots, one comes to the Devil's good mud crawls to be found. It Horns. This is a helictite formed on requires more than six hours to see the.bottom of a straw. The next this system p~perly. A guide is point of interest from here is the required to find this cave and a 12 m calcified bones in the wall on the ladder is needed to descend the entr­ left-hand side if proceding upstream. ance pitch. Around the bend from here is the Judge's Wig. This is a large impress­ South of Mammoth Cave are Lake, ive mass of crystalline formation of Brides, Giants and Golgotha Caves. pure white calcite which stands out Brides Cave is a large doline approx­ well against a dark background. On imately 100 m across. This is an from here is one large rockpile and excellent cave for SRT fanatics and then the terminal chamber in which has a pitch on the deep side of over the world's longest straw can be seen. 50 m with a cave at the bottom. Surrounding it are some equally long These caves are easily found from tree roots, making it difficult to Caves Road. Golgotha Cave is 1 km distinguish the straw. A soil band south of Brides Cave on Caves Road. can be seen in the roof throughout Also in this area are several other the cave. This is thought to be caves of interest. where one dune has settled and soil has been allowed to form, and later Eight km south of these caves is the more sand was blown over forming Boranup Camp Site. Very little is another dune. known about the area between Gol­ gotha and the campsite as only one Not far from Strongs Cave is Devils large cave has been found, namely Lair, situated in the Nannup doline. Green Cave, and several fissure caves. The Department of Palaeontology of These fissure caves were rediscovered the W.A. Museum, under the direction recently near Blue Rock Road. They of OrDr Duncan Merrilees, has been ex­ are believed to be formed by the cavating in this cave for some years. action of water from a swamp opposite The results of this dig are extremely undermining the limestone, causing it interesting, indicating the presence to collapse forward in large blocks of aborigines in the south-west for forming deep fissures in the lime­ a greater time than previously stone. supposed. Nannup Cave itself is worth a visit being an old abandoned From the Boranup campsitE,campsite, many fine stream cave with some good formation. caves can be visitedv~sited as some are Also some historic graffiti can be within a short walking distance from seen on the formation. Dingo and the campsite. These are Dingo,Cave Guide of 12th Conference of the MillASF 1979 Caves are not far away. These Nannup, Mill, Strongs, Crystal, two caves were formed by the same 10 stream that carved out Strongs Cave, Four of these-are old tourist caves. and are separated only by collapses. Mill Cave is upstream of Strongs Cave Milligans Cave MR 19 can be visited . and a 10 m ladder is needed for the while you are making a trip to Meeka~ entrance. A shallow lake in the main dorabee Cave. Equipment is needed to chamber is dominated by a large tree descend into the cave as it has a 7 ID root similar to those in Strongs Cave. entrance pitch. This cave was once Two hours is ample to study the cave. used as a tourist cave at the turn of the century. A descent into the cave Dingo Cave is downstream from Strongs passes through a fairly heavily deco­ Cave. The entrance can be free­ rated section on the left bef,--:'e climbed with the aid of a rope. A reaching the main chamber. The floor new low section was recently discov­ of the main chamber consists of sand ered. In this section~ a good sele­ and rock with some bone material. ction of speleothems can be seen and Proceed onwards round a large rock­ a camera is a must. This is a good pile to the terminal chamber whh:il spo~ing cave with crawls and climbs. contains some good examples of calci­ fied tree roots. A guide is needed • Arumvale Pipe and Arumvale Cave are to find this cave. about 3 km south of the campsite. The pipe is 23 m deep and is the best Further south near the mouth of the abseil into a cave in this area. Margaret River are two other caves of This cave is a small stream cave, some importance, both completely diff­ 160 m in lehgth, terminating in a erent. One of these is Walcliffe Cave large chamber filled with rock. MR 4, an old ex-tourist cave found by Three hoUrs is quite adequate in this Grace Bussell in 1870. This cave is' cave. Arumvale Cave is further up situated at the back of Wallcliffe the hill. The entrance is very House on the edge of a paddock and is unstable and several ladders are easily reached from the road. This needed to reach the bottom which is cave has been vandalised badly and at a depth of 57 m from the surface. many old names can be seen written on A camera should be taken as the the formation. formation is excellent. The total length of the cave is 500 m, the Situated in the limestone hill over­ first 200 m being dry and well­ looking Prevally Park Caravan Site is decorated. The last 300 m requires Beenup Cave MR 20. This cave is a immersing in mud and water as one recent discovery and is locked, the must enter the stream and crawl the keys being held by W.A.S.G. This sys­ rest of the way to the end of the tem is a classic inclined fissure cave in the stream. Four to five cave and is heavily decorated. The hours are required to see this cave. entrance was dug out by the sub- Extreme caution must be exercised group in March 1975. The cave itself at the entrance pitch. is over 300 m long, most of which is vertical, but no equipment is needed. • While stopping at the campsite, it This cave is worth visiting. The is a must to drive through the Karri terminal chamber ends in a rockpile forest to the Boranup lookout. Also and the floor is of a rich black loam a trip to the beach is worthwhile. washed in from outside. The possibil­ The Boranup Sand Patch is a recorded ity of extending this cave is good. aboriginal site. For those who do Approximately 100 m away is cla large not want to go caving, a day here is dolinedo line known as Rainbow Cave. This is well spent and it is near an excellent worth a visit just for photography. beach. Foxhole Cave MR 9 is not far away and could be visited if a guide knows where it is. This cave has three MARGARET RIVER chambers, one of which is well-decor·­ ated and the terminating chamber The area north of Witchcliffe is contains scattered bones of ma::yma:y Margaret River, starting at Calgardup'Calgardup small animals. For thosethose feeling in Brook and finishing at Ellensbrook. a holiday mood, the rest of the day Again, this is only a small karst can be spent lazing on the beach! area containing 20 knownknmm karst featuresfeatures of which six are major caves.Cave Guide of 12th ConferenceBlackboy of the ASF 1979Hollow and Witchcliffe Caves 'MILLIGANS 'CAVE. MR 1'9.'

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COuldGOuld DC ~3.e~ted~io~ ted in .~fte.~he OAPon~ ,day~Cl.y 'ko:roror.> ~tc~ perCO~Cl.toQperCO~CltOQ beneath thQ sand those who feel energetic. Parking the into the sea. lbe cave is well­ car at the Boodj idup Brook, one would known by the public and has suffered need to walk for approximately 2 km accordingly. But the cave still has to reach each of these caves. Black­ some fine decoration in the deeper boy Hollow is considered the finest recesses of the system. cave in this area. A guide is needed to find the cave, and equipment is Further to the north-east is Snake needed to negotiate the 6 m entrance Pit Cave CO 6 which is believed to shaft into a large chamber. This be part of the same system. Equip­ cave was an old show cave. The old ment is needed to descend the 23 m pathways lead down into a magnificent vertical entrance pitch. When the lower level of immense proportions. bottom is reached, a medium-sized Formation in this chamber is excellent. chamber is seen, its floor covered Deeper into the floor of this chamber wi th sand and rocks. can be seen the old stream course. Cowaramup Cave is also worth a visit. Witchcliffe Cave is an interesting A guide is needed to find this cave walk from the CaI'. It has a magni­ as very few people know its location. ficent setting above Boodjidup Brook It is found in a valley within which where it opens into Devil's Pool. a dune has arisen and through which A cliff-face at the head of the valley a stream flows, forming a small but at the west end of the pool and on interesting cave containing a small the north side of the stream contains Wlterfall. the cave entrance. An overhang contains a 2 m drop down to water. Another cave to inspect in this area Old wooden tables and a small stream, is Meekadorabee Cave CO 8 situated which resurges some 7 m down a steep on the Ellensbrook Stream. This is slope, can be seen. Stairs lead to a good example of a cave which is the cave entrance above the overhang. formed by the action of a stream Many old columns in two small chambers cutting through an arm of limestone divide the cave and add to its interest. overlying a valley. The entrance is This is an old tourist cave and a well-endowed with tufa and calcified guide may be needed to locate it. rushes. A waterfall also flows over the entrance, seeping through the roof forming an excellent display of COWARAMUP cave pearls on the flows tone below. The trip through the cave is very wet The next area is Cowaramup stretching but short as the cave is approximate­ between Ellensbrook and Quinninup ly 100 m long. It is a pleasant Brook. This narrow belt of limestone walk to the cave from the car and if has very little cave development in spare time is available, it is worth it that is known. Quinninup Lake walking to the beach to see the Cave is one of the better systems to early historic property built by the • visit. Situated near the beach at Bussells which is now part of a Quinninup, this cave is reached by national park. a pleasant walk along the beach and across the sand dunes. A small colony of bats has been observed here for YALLINGUP some years. This is quite important because this is the only known cave The Yallingup area has some of the in the Leeuwin-Naturaliste Ridge in thickest limestone of the Leeuwin­ which bats have been recorded. The Naturaliste Ridge, but despite this cave contains two small streams. very few large caves or extensive One of these can be examined by systems have been found, probably climbing down through the entrance because there are very few streams rockpile. The other is seen in the to allow for the development of south-eastern sect ton by looking large systems. down a hole under some flowstone. These streams seem to be at different One example of a cave in this area levels and res urge some distance is Katelack Cave YA 26. This system below the cave entrance to form a is a typical example of an inclined

lake. This lake is trappedCave behind Guide of 12th Conference of the ASFfissure 1979 cave found in dune limestone. the dunes and it is assumed that the This cave is approximately 36 m deep. 4

12

No equipment is needed for entry into stone iE; to.o sqft and friable to the system. The cave is in an open support cave systems (Bastian~ 1964). field on the edge of some thick bush­ land. This cave has two small entran­ The Mandurah caves occur along the ces and is well worth a trip. To southern and western edge of Pe81 reach the lower level, a slot-type Inlet, a drowned river valley. The squeeze must be negotiated and from caves are all typical ir.clined here a rubble slope leads down to the fissure collapses, in some cases final crawl into the bottom chamber. reaching water level~ for example~ The upper part of this chamber has Morfitts Cave. There are springs some fine formation. There are sev­ along the edge of the estuary. The eral extensions to be found in this caves are well-decorated and make a cave while crawling around. The pleasant diversion from a trip be­ total trip should not takG more than tween Perth and the Leeuwin-Natur­ three hours. Two other caves which aliste. could be visited while in this loca­ tion are Seven Sisters Cave YA 3 and Blackwall Reach contains two of the BarbillaCave. Both of these caves most interesting caves in W.A. dis­ have good formation. By driving playing features of mechanical (that several kilometres along the road, is, wave) erosion, vadose stream one can spend a pleasant afternoon action and nothephreati~spongework. at the beach near Canal Rocks. The two main caves are generally 100+ m muddy crawls and open on to Yallingup Cave itself is well worth the south bank of the Swan River a visit. It is currently a tourist where it makes a narrow passage cave. A palaeontological dig was through the north/south Coastal carried out in this cave over a period Limestone belt near Fremantle. of five years by a member of W.A.S.G. Night trips to these caves are The formation in this cave is excell­ easily arranged. ent and there are several sections to visit. It is the largest cave system known at present in the Yallingup YANCHEP area. A short walk from this cave leads to Yallingup Gcrge. This is a The cave area is contained mainly karst feature worth visiting as within the Yanchep National Park there are several caves in the area, but extends south to the semi-resi­ YA 12 and YA 29 being two of them. dential Wanneroo area. There are two tourist caves in the National Driving from Yallingup to Bunker Bay, Park, namely, Crystal and Yonderup one can visit a number of interest- Caves, plus numerous, mainly small ing sea caves and other karst features. wild caves. The limestone here is One of these sea caves is YA 149 a only 10 m above water-table result­ cave which is developed in medium­ ing in frequent collapses. This grained granulite, beach conglomerate restricts the size of the stream caves. and aeolian calcarenite. It also has Caves are of the small, crawly a hole in the roof in which one can inclined fissure type. To go to see the bedding planes. Yanchep and not find new unrecorded caves requires a concerted effort. On the way south along Caves Road, Northcote Grotto can be visited. In Caves occur mainly in the western this cave a stream can be seen flowing section of the park. The exception in the lower sections, this being one to this rule is Gibb Cave YN l40~140~ of only two caves in the area in which entrance to which is gained by a a stream is visible. narrow solution pipe. The cave is large and well-decorated for Yanchep and well worth a visit. Beware of LOWER WEST COAST falling boulders!

This limestone area extends from Other notable caves in the park are Cape Naturaliste to Perth" a distance Yanchep Cave, with its obvious cave of 250 km. There are t\'l'O significant fauna~ old bat domes and large chamb­ concentrations of caves in this dis­ ers; Mambibby Cave which has been tance at Blackwall Reach and at Cave Guide of 12th Conferencesubject of the ASF 1979to extensive vandalism, both Mandurah. In other places the lime- official and unofficial; Loch Over- ---- 13 flowflm,! with a well-decoratedwzz'll-dwszoratsd new exten­wsten­ NAMBUNGNlMBUNG sion~ and which takes water from Loch McNess; Cactus Cave,Cave Surprise Cave This area is mainly within the confines and severalsccera1 as yetyel~ unnamed,mnameeI caves,cavee all of the NambungNembunG NationalNatiml:W Park.Parh CavesCaaaa of which provide interesting crawls and other speleological features have and some fine speleothems.speleothemso The ducks the prefix SH for South Hill River, of the almws1almost water-filledwatsl"~filh'd HaterHatew' Cave an areaarZ_ta whicht'ihich includes somesomt'z features provide a cooling endelld to a hot summer'sswmmer' north:no-,:,th and south of the Park.Park day at Yanchep. Also to be noted in this cave are the GalaxiasG':Llaxiaw (fish)(fisl,) and History: The 120INO m aloveabove sea level Gilgies (freshwater(frzsshwatc(' crayfish)) plus sand dunes of this area wereweril recordedvecoc-zeIaeI thGthe iron-stained !rog'sTrog's End flowstone. by 17th Century Dutch navigators. In 1839, caves were first noted in the GEOLOGYGdOOOGY AND GE0l10RPHOLOGYGEOW')HPHOLOG'l OF YANCHEPeI1UsCHEP area bHby a membermemHo:L' of Sir George Grey's slip-wrechedship-wrecked party on their 500+ km East of the Yanchep area is a vast walk back to Perth. In the 1900s~ areaaree of sandplain at the .hilsebase ofoCthe the eIuenoguano was minc'dmined from theNhe camuecaves~ ~ ataN Darling Fault Scarp.Sca'f'p ThisThW, area serves firsthh'st spasmodically~ipiL::modNeully by local farmers as a catchment for the Gnangara water add then by an ill-fated scheme mound,mound a feature of great importance organised by the thenthee MinisterMinistLcztf' of in the futurefutemz( of C\lT'thPerth1s 1 s water\~(ter supply. Agriculture. A temporarytempo\'ory reserverefarve was The slope of this mound increases in placed over the valley of the Nambung the area of the Yanchep Caves and the River in 1927 to protect the caves. waterwateemovCf moves mainly as,\8 streamsstL'Z~!z:Lms dmT,dowr,;, At the time of the phosphatephaaphate mining, thisthie gradient. the Pinnacles, cnlyonly a fewhew miles south, were not mentioned, possibly because The nu.nerous~m,nerous enclosedencleeed water-loggedwatz'zT'-logped they wereWt:z-,-'e coveredcovea'z:Ld with sand.sand HOWfivErHowever~ ~ depressionsdep\'eeeione andend 1,:LPeslakes within thethEz it was these karsthe-,;'st featuresft:z,etures whichj[hich karst no doubt play a role in re­ prompted the formation of the present charging karst water and may them­them- Nambung National Park in 1966. The selvesselwee be the resultresuS of a series\erie\ ofef firstficst speleological activity occl.lI'redOCCl..lI'j-'ch caverncaVf':L'iZ collapsescolPepses and streamstri'Zam diversions.di veT'eions . in 1962196H and since then the area has Springs have been seen in the sea west seen intermittent bursts of activity. of Yanchep. A comprehensive cavescavea list and accounts of the area andarid cavescavee 1-'saswas published in 1973 (Shoosmith, Poulter). The Nat­ HOORA ional Parks Authority have gatedeIi:.lted delicate cavescavea in:in consultationcon nultathon with This area contains a limited number speleos. of caves developed in highly silici­ fiedfieP Proterozoic dolomitic limestoneslimeaHenes Geomorphology: The Nambung RiverYlver of the MooraMooma group.group sinks in a seriesse-,-'hezs of lakesYnkes and inflow points caused by repeated deflections CavesCava\ showahow high degrees of structuralstruattztz'al of the river by actinractive dunes.duner TheThL; controlconaT'et along joinjoints. ThereThcz':n; are three complicatedulJ-'_-I.'~uNod hydrology of(>f the NambuD~ notable caves. has been described in Shoosmith (1974) which tells of 1 km long lakes appear­appear- CoorowCooT'a+Zt Cave M 1. Thei 1:e longest caveCi:.lee in ing virtually overnight and of solu­ the~-" areaare:~'":d with th more thanthi:.ln 0.5 Pmkm of tiontioD pipes spouting columns of water. passages. The joints have been in­in- filledhilled withth quartzite andaad this remains Though there are a few caves which as a sheetshaat acrossacraez\ the caveaave after the are solution tunnels which flood to limestone has been corroded away. the roof~ for example, Brown Bone Cave,Cave most are inrlinedinclined fiasurrfissure coll­noll­ COdhopsBishops HoletDle M 7.C, A 33 m pitchp.i gives apseapso cavesraves often(}:{'ten Llehl-deeos'atehwell-decorated. In access to a few chambers reaching a Quandong Cave there is a preponderance total depth of 36 m. of volcano-like stalagmites formed overoveu small~zmalt soil conesennczs fronfrom solutionsololion TiegemiaJingemia CaveOave MH 6.(j. 20 m deep pit,Hi t , pipz;zzcpipes whichwhieh are not calcite-filled.caleh good abseil, geologically and meteoro­ logicallylooicallt interesting.inteT',jDtino ThisThic caveDave The spectacular Pinnacles are the has beenbeer) idnedmined extensivelyzTTtenaivczly for resultres 1.11 of subsoil karst erosion guano. Cave Guide of 12th Conference of the ASF(Lowry 1979 1973), the soil having been deflated after the stabilizing vege~ 14 tation had been killed by the encroach­ The overflow of Lake Arrarnall has ment of active dunes. formed the two major systems of Ri ver and Arramall Caves. ArramallArrarnall Caves and potential: A recent fire has Cave contains the largest chambers opened up a large area previously which are the vesult of roof collapse3. inaccessible due to very thick scrub. River Cave still contains the basic Recent trips have become bored of phreatic passageways which finally finding new caves. The few entrances bifurcate and choke off with mud. so far explored have given access to long sporting caves. Much mapping The Weelawadj i system contains aban·· and exploration is envisaged in the doned stream passages of varying immediate future. dimensions from the 35 m wide entrance chamber to the small 4 m wide phreatic The inclined fissure caves of the Park, tubes some 500 m into the cave. The for example, Cadda Cave SH 18, Weston whereabouts of the stream that form~dforrn~d Cave SH 2, Thousand Man Cave SH 7 and the cave is not obvious although it Pretty Cave SH 9 to name a few, offer was thought to be part of the Arrow-·Arrow .. .. good potential for photographyphotography) ~ map­ smith River system (Lowry, D.C., pe~s. ping and exploration. comrn. ).

The only cave minerals collected fr-0ill ENEABBA the Eneabba area are samples of Brushite and Gypsum from Weelawadji History. This area extends from the Cave and these samples are held by Green Head Road in the south to the the Government Chemical Laboratories. Irwin River in the north. The areaarea. first received attention from speleo­ Stockyard Tunnel E 1. The cave is logists when W.A.S.G. explored River approximately 200 m long, requiring and Arrarnall Caves in 1960. no gear, and can be completed at a leisurely walk. Its main features In 1963, Jennings visited the Stock­ are its size and the meandering of yard Gully caves. On this trip E 1 the stream. Bats mayor may not be to E 10 were described and positioned. present. Of these, Stockyard Bridge, Stockyard Tunnel and Stockyard Cave, together Stockyard Bridge E 2. A bridge be-·be-­ with Aiyennu Cave and Beekeepers Hole tween Eland E 3. The stream flol':sflol-rs were the most significant. beneath a large rockfall. Swallm~s flying under the bridge are common, In 1969, D.C. & J.W.J. Lowry squeezed many of them nesting in the solution through a rockfall in Weelawadji Cave pipes in the roof. and added 1 700 m of passageway to the known 300 m of cave (Lowry 1969). Stockyard Cave E 3. The cave is Since this discovery, no new major approximately 800 m long with large finds have been made in this area. chambers being its main feature. , The mud-coating on most blocks in Geornorphology.Geomorphology. The limestone of this the streamwaystrearnway make for interesting .. area is an older aeolian calcarenite slides while trying to move along than that of the lower south-west. the streamway. Bats are sometimes present. The Stockyard System is formed by the Stockyard River which flows almost Aiyennu Cave E 9. Forty metres of all of the year. The gorges between ladder and/or rope are required on Stockyard Bridge and Stockyard Cave the entrance pitch. Of the 100 or are explained by cave roof collapse so entrances, the largest one on (Jennings, 1971:100). The actual the southern side of the karst cave is prone to flooding as evidenced pavement is usually used. The near by the large logs jammed high in the est tie off is a "twig" some 10 m roof and the mud levels above the from this entrance. If SRT is used, logs. Classic karst pavements are some protection is required at the typified by Aiyennu Cave (Caffyn, 1973) lip. where the calcarenite has collapsed, resulting in soil subsidence, leaving The rockpile below the entrances the kankar peppered with solution Cave Guide of 12th Conferencedips ofto the ASFthe 1979 north and south where the pipes. stream is sighted but sumps after a 1d 15

short distance.

AITamall Cave E 22. This systeITI ex­ Chittering and Boscabel at the edges tends for 1.8 km as mapped by P. of breakaways or mesas. Cave form-form­ CaffynCafSSyn in 1973.155:5. TheTYe main S:?'endtrend is ationnHOnn SDnnsseems to be initiatediniHOnted in a mainlymainSy walkingwalk5ns passagespasssses overoneS' break­bresS~ variety of wayc,ways, includinginclngOng watermnHnr andamg down. At one point the cave passes wind action and the action of eucalypt beneathbenessh the BrandYsand Highway andn:nd roots (Lake(itnge & Lefroy,,15972) 1972). L'lap-Map­ vehiclevehinse noises can be heard.henn,Y An ping of Hgesethese cavesDnnes hash,nn always had interesting feature is a green plant to be done by triangulation as the growing shoots under lightless presence of haematite makes magnetic conditionstr:ond5H5ons someneme 200 m into Hhethe cave. instruments useless.usnHnss.

River Cave E 23. The cave has never Small caves, caverns and springs heenbeen mappedrr~npped buthnt is approximatelynhProxi:motelh as occur in Hhethe granite outcrops. HaliteHagO longOong as ArramallArr,rmnll Cave.Cnoe. Very little exudation and removalnDm'Oval of particlesparl0ti'les roof collapse has occurred in the by wind is probably the main.c~usemain,c~use of cave and hence the Hhreaticphreatic passagespassaoes thesethDne cavities.cnmities In thethn southsout:h,· . the arenre easy to movemmve in withT,¥ith the flatfIno possibilityHy of modifiedm,ndifieh EoceneEOCDn:n sea sandy floor being traversed mainly caves should not be dismissed. The at a stoop. The end of the cave is a large tafoni boxwork filled caves of m.unbsn'number of smallsmoHl phreaticphn'cotic tubesHYiHes which Peak CharlesChaE" ges may be of suchcuch a mixedaixeH chokemhokEt offtiiff withwO mud. Many Onadsleads off origin.D:t"~,g~n. the main trend have not been checked. Onegne whichich waswnc is still going. The ootemHOalpotential is good. REFERENCESS99EREN9h9

WeelawadjiWeelC3:~C3:dji Cave E24,'E 24. A large circular Bastian,Bastian L.V.L. V. (1964). MorphologyMorphDlDgy andDDd collapsecoll,chne dolinedoHhme heraldshes'ngds the entranceentnnnee deve9Dhmentdevelopment of cavescant.?n in the south­souhH" to thetHe largest known chamber in the west of Western Australia. Eneabba area. From there the passages HeZiatite b 105-119. beyondbeyoeO are developed with somecmme form of SIT'mcturmlstructural controlconts'nh withwitg rockfalls Bridge,""\.1.,,,<:;, P.J.• J. (E02).(1972). Asphode1ites,HDphoht~hStes, at intersections. This cave is an unusual speleothem from Calgar­Calgar- locked at the end of the entranceentranme dup Cave.ha:~e. The0'520 WeohzrfflWesteffl Cavel' 1b chamberchambE:r' to gc'otectprotect Hgethe cavecant": fauna,faunn 169-171.169-0 the good secondary calcite deposits and the untouched guano piles. Also Britton,Britton E.B. (1974). J. Aust. Ent. as thistgOc SysHt:msystem is no longer active,actO Soo. 1!, 85-87.85,,99. it is verynery delicate. Caffyn, Paul. (1973). Notes on the Fauna.Faunn A large amount of collecting geologygeolDSSY and geomorphologyYtT,omorhYology westz.?nst has gormbeen donedomt'? by J.W.J.J Lowry in the of LakeLnhn ArrmmmHl.Arramal1. T.W.C.W.C, _,13, 133-100" Eneabba Area. She has kindly pre­ 134. pared the Table 1 which indicates • some of the faunagouna fo:mdgD:.md in grram<:igg,Arramall, Jennings, J.N. (1968).0968 SyngeneticSynhoaDtic River,Rivem, Weelawadji angand the Stockyardgtockyard karst in Australia. Controibutions Gully Caves. to the study of karst. J • N • • JenningsJennODgs & P.W. . Williams.WShhSams A.N.U:.N. Canberra.hnEIIerra. LATERITE AND GRANITE CAVES Jennings,Jenaiahs, J.N. (1971).( ). Karst. Most of 11±EnternWestern Australia is a pre­ A.N.U:U: Canberra.hn:nberaa cambrian granite shield erosion surface of great age. Outcrops are Lake,Lake Peter & Ted Lefroy. LateriteLaterite rarernE'n andanH extensiveDntenn areasarn<::c of laterite,HnHeri tD cave in the Upper Chi:tte:ring.ChiHHn~ing representing a now dissecteddiDnDt:;:ted erosion±::tE"osion T.W.C. 12, 68-77. surface, are common. In places, granite outcrops through the sandplain Lowry,LowrH D.C.D.C (1969).0969 WeelawadjiWeehnaadji Cavehnve asan mound-shapednoung-DHapeO bodies, somecome onlynnly E 24. T.W.C.C. 9, 95-98.05,..91 metres high to some such as Peak Charles 650 m above sea level. Lowry,Lowry David C. (1973). OriginOmigin afof the Pinnacles,Pinnn:::hes, Nambung, W.A. LateriteLaHerite caves occur at Kojonup,Cave Guide of 12th Conference of the ASF A.S.F. 1979 NelJJsZ. 62, 7-8. 16

Species Conunon name E 1-3 E 22 E 23 E 24 Conunents . Other species occur in- Baiami voZuaroipes Spider ? ,{ cluding one blind species in E 22 and E 24.

Associated with guano. FTotocheZifemProtocheZifem { { { cavePnar'Ull1cavePna:!'U171 Pseudoscorpion , , There are· other small species.

LaevophiZoscia Wood louse, Also tiny blind troglobit- yaZgoonensis pill bug, ~ ,{ ,{ Y,?~ ic isopods in E 22 & E 23. Vandel 1973 slater • LaevophiZoscia unidentata ,{ , { ~ Vandel 1973 "

LaevophiLaevophiZoscia Zoscia There are several othe:t'otheJ.' roic'ha:rodsaeroicha:rodsae {-. species in all caves. Vandel 1973

E 22 has a species with red legs and yellow-spot.···yellow-spot··· ted body in twilight zo~e Scutigeridae ,{ (Family) Centipede and a blind species (d:i.f:-(d::"f:' .. erent) in the dark zone (very rare).

Collembola Springtails ,{ ,{ ,{ , { (Class)

Abundantly established Lecanomerus , ,{ flavocinctus Beetle in E 1-3.

Pseudoaeneus { soZZiaitus Beetle , Blind but pigmented. Has not been found alive since TripeatenopusTripectenopus 1969 - could be extinct oaauZtatusoacuZtatus Beetle (that is, it was washed Britton 1974 into the cave) or very • rare. Reduced eyes and pigment. , Unidentified blind spec·- S'hazueZZaShazueZZa ,{ { dougZasi Cockroach I ies, eyes present but white, in E 22 and E 23.

Apis E 24 - very ferocious Honey bee ,{ ,{ (1974, 1978). E 1-3 not meZZiferameZtifera active 1974.

Other species in E 3, Litoroia ,{ moorei Frog E 24.

Hirundo Welcome ,{ ,{ Important trogloxene at neo:cena Swallow entrances.

ChatinoZobusCha Zino Zobus Chocolate { ,{ Cave, Guide of 12th Conference of the ASF 1979 moroio Bat 17

------~------~~------~Species Common name E 1-3 E 22 E 23 E 24 Comments Eptisicus Little pumil,us Bat I Occasionally seen.

Macroderma Ghost Many piles of fossil gigas Bat Locally extinct guano in E 24 and poss­ ibily in E 22. TABLE 1 Occurrence of selected fauna in the Stockyard Gully Caves (E 1-3), Ar.ramal1 cave (E 22), River Cave (E 23), Weelawadji Cave (E 24)

• Poulter, Norm (1973). Nambung Nat- t ional Park, W.A. A.S.F. Newsl,~ 62, 5-7.

Shoosmith, R. (1973). South Hill River Issue. T.W.C. 13, 1-31. Shoosmith, Bob (1974). Hydrological observations at the Nambung River. T.W.C. 14, 122-123.

Smithers, C.N. Aust. Ent. Mag. 2 (3): 45. -

Vandel, A. (1973). Les Isopodes Terrestres De L I Australie: Etude Systematique et Biogeographique. Memoires du Museum National, D'Histoiroe Natu.reUe~ Sene A" ZooZogie~ 82.

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