Yarrangobilly Caves, and Talbingo (Snowy Mountains and Canberra Trip)

Saturday 21 December 2019 – 280 245

Yarrangobilly Area was today’s destination. https://www.nationalparks.nsw.gov.au/visit-a-park/parks/yarrangobilly-area After picking up our three caves pass, we walked down to the Thermal pool. https://www.nationalparks.nsw.gov.au/things-to-do/walking-tracks/yarrangobilly-caves-thermal-pool-walk This is a formed rock and concrete pool filled with naturally heated mineral water, and it was lovely. 

After our swim we walked along Yarrrangobilly River to Glory Arch.  Glory Arch once would have been a cave but is now open to the sky – photographs do not do it justice.  We then explored South Glory Cave.  It was deliciously cool on an incredibly hot day (42 degrees outside).  This cave is self-guided and a bit dark. https://www.nationalparks.nsw.gov.au/things-to-do/show-caves/yarrangobilly-south-glory-cave

A guided tour of Jillabenan Cave was next.  This is beautiful; the highest and oldest of the caves we visited today.  This cave has been set up to be wheelchair accessible, which is great. https://www.nationalparks.nsw.gov.au/things-to-do/show-caves/yarrangobilly-jillabenan-cave

Bluff Lookout gave views over the 100+ year old Cave House.  After a picnic lunch we visited Jersey Cave for our second guided tour.  This cave was much larger than the previous two, with several “rooms”.  Many of the formations in this one were black from periods of prolonged bushfires or red from iron oxide. https://www.nationalparks.nsw.gov.au/things-to-do/show-caves/yarrangobilly-jersey-cave

We then drove north to look at the remains of Yarrangobilly Village which had once been large enough to have a school and a post office. https://www.nationalparks.nsw.gov.au/camping-and-accommodation/campgrounds/yarrangobilly-village-campground/visitor-info

Talbingo was our last stop for the day.  The town centre has a display on the Snowy Hydro Scheme; and Tumut 3 Power Station can be viewed from the outside.  Unfortunately, we have yet to see any of the Hydro Power Stations running. https://www.snowyhydro.com.au/our-scheme/visit-the-scheme/visit-the-talbingo-region/