2005/2006 Financial Year

SCHOOL GROUP ADVENTURES

BRITANNIA CREEK AND LABERTOUCHE CAVES

(FULL DAY ACTIVITY)

THE CAVES

These two caves are Granite Boulder Infill Caves (which are rarer than Limestone or Lava Tube Caves, but well represented as a cave type in Victoria). This type of cave is formed when a large mass of granite weathers in such a way as to form a huge boulder jumble that has linked gaps between the boulders forming tunnels and caverns that are in total darkness and which can be navigated by competent Cavers. Both caves have active streams and also limited cave ecology such as Glowworms, Spiders and Fungi. The caves are overlaid with sediment.

Britannia Creek cave is at Yarra Junction and Labertouche Cave is near Drouin

METHOD

The activity promoted involves only horizontal caving, although vertical caving systems can be used to a limited degree in both caves.

We use horizontal caving systems and equipment as detailed in Parks Victoria permit requirements, various Industry standards etc. (we are now also using the developing Victorian Adventure Activity Standards as guidelines)

All participants are provided with UIAA approved helmets, helmet mounted primary light sources, plus a spare torch and emergency Cylume glow stick (these are also helmet mounted).

As a part of this activity we can show examples of various improvised equipment’s that would meet Parks Victoria Codes of practice requirements and also discuss general safety issues, group management, navigation, emergencies.

Geological / geomorphic and environmental issues as suitable for the group and to meet the school objectives can be provided as required.

CONDUCT

The Britannia Creek cave is used as a Training area from (approx) 9 AM to 11 Am, we then travel to Labertouche Cave (Approx 3/4 hr Drive) having lunch on the way. The Labertouche cave is traversed twice, once downstream once upstream (the downstream entrance requires ropes and harnesses and is time consuming to conduct so we would normally conduct the cave as a horizontal traverse). Caving requires two leaders for each cave team.

The conduct of this aspect of the day takes around 3 to 3-1/2 hrs.

As the caves are both close to Melbourne this activity can be conducted as a day trip for Melbourne based schools.

COST (Valid for 2005/2006 Financial year)

The cost for this activity day is $88.00 (including GST) per student (minimum fee for 10).

OTHER OPTIONS

For a full days caving at Labertouche alone with the use of abseil systems, ladder systems as well as horizontal caving the fee would be $95.00 (Including GST) per student for the day.

Note that costs are for activity only and do not include Transport or Meals.

We can also run activities at only one of the above caves where required and in addition have permits for the Underground River at Mt Buffalo, Buchan Caves, and Wee Jasper Caves (near Canberra)