Yarrangobilly Caves Excursion

Introduction: Last week, on Wednesday, the 2/3 class embarked on an educational excursion to Yarrangobilly Caves. We went there to study and have a little bit of fun. In Geography, we are learning about the physical features of world heritage sites and we went on an excursion to Yarrangobilly Caves to see if we could add Yarrangobilly Caves to the world heritage list. We needed to know about cultural and natural criteria that can put a site on the list. It was super exciting.

Preparation: Before we went on the trip we had many things to prepare for. We needed permission slips. We also had to pack bags with extra provisions, ensuring we were well-equipped for both exploration and learning. The night before each student had to pack a bag for the trip. We all had to have more food than usual, a big drink bottle jumper, suitable clothing for walking and being in the sun and the caves and a wide-brimmed hat (the school hat is fine).

Journey to the Caves: Departing from All Saints' School, we travelled by bus, making a pit stop in Tumut for necessary breaks.

Cave Exploration: The caves are super cold so we definitely recommend bringing a jumper. It was even wet. The caves are fascinating they really are, they are a bit scary if you're not with a tour guide. Our knowledgeable guide, Josh, led us through the caves, sharing insights into the geological wonders that awaited. He had a hat with five different bird feathers.

North Glory Cave: Our exploration starts in the first cave, the North Glory Cave. On the way to the cave we saw some limestone and rock formations, at the start of the passageway we saw an owl. Josh pointed out skeleton bats and highlighted the historical presence of these bats, now absent. The chilly atmosphere added to the mystique, cautioning us not to touch anything. In the first cave stalactites, stalagmites, and other formations captivated our attention. We also went up around 25 steps. It was steep. Josh's flashlight revealed a touched stalagmite that would never grow again, glowing in the darkness. We also encountered glistering geodes, crystals, dripping water and fossilised plants. After exiting the first cave, we went to the picnic area and had lunch.

Jillabean Cave: After we had lunch, we had to head to the next cave which was an 800-metre trip up a very steep hill. The second cave challenged us with its narrow passages and a depth of 15 meters. The cave was so dark no one could see in the cave. Josh engaged us in a unique exercise—touching our foreheads in the pitch-black darkness. Some of us successfully completed the challenge, adding an element of adventure to our learning experience. There was a little pool and its water was blue because of copper. Next, we saw crystals. They were really sparkly and glow but we were not allowed to touch them. After exiting the second cave we tried to see who could do the loudest echo; we all thought Josh won.

Conservation Efforts: We learned about the importance of preserving these caves for future generations. Yarrangobilly Caves' potential inclusion in the World Heritage list if we complete correctly our task fueled our desire to contribute to its conservation.

Conclusion: Our excursion to Yarrangobilly Caves was a blend of education and adventure, as we marveled at the geological wonders. Each student's unique experience added to the richness of our collective journey, leaving us with lasting memories and newfound knowledge. We went back to school and we told our Mums and Dads everything about our day.

GE2-1: Examines features and characteristics of places and environments

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