Dr Dark's Cave Kolonga Labyrinth, New South Wales, Australia
By Jonnosan on 23-Oct-12. Waypoint GA4661

Cache Details

Difficulty:
Terrain:
Type: Virtual
Container: Nano
Coordinates: S33° 39.013' E150° 21.229' (WGS 84)
  56H 254599E 6273484N (UTM)
Elevation: 824 m
Local Government Area: Blue Mountains City

Map

Watched (3)
Cache Tracker
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Rating

Description

Dr Eric Dark was a Katoomba GP, bushwalker and political activist. He was also the husband of the novelist Eleanor Dark.

In 1937, Dr Dark discovered a large cave  on Fortress Ridge, and for many years he and his family used it as holiday home.

The cave has two 'rooms' - the first (smaller)  is a cooking area, the second (larger) has a waterfall and many rusty metal and canvas remains. Near the fire ring there is a square rusty metal box which contains a visitors book. In order to log this virtual cache, post a photo of yourself holding the visitors book.

Please leave all the old artifacts as you find them.

To get to the cave, take the Mt Hay road to the Fortress Ridge carpark (S33° 39.489' E150° 21.869'). Take the firetrail, turning left at the fork at  S33° 39.013' E150° 21.229'. At S33° 39.224' E150° 21.410' there is a faint track heading north - follow it down the hill (some scrambling required) to the creek, then down stream before climbing up over a few more scrambles to the cave. There are some large drops near the cave, so keep an eye on the geokids. The cave itself is quite protected though.

Allow about 1 hr in each direction for the hike.

 

Hints

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Decode

Logs

28-Aug-20
TFTC - Ventured down and along the creek not knowing what to expect. Came across the first room with the great views and thought it couldn’t get any better. Well then we got to the larger room and WOW!! What a great place. Forgot to get a picture of the log however a picture of the morning tea hopefully will suffice.
 
20-May-18
Visited Dr Dark's cave last weekend as part of a day walk with my bushwalking club. Unfortunately, I had not looked at the 'logging' requirements before the walk so although our group signed the log I do not have a photo. I do, however, have a photo of the firepit Smile
 
12-Aug-17
Just awesome! My wife and I did this on a very windy day but we were sheltered nicely by the cave. Needs new log book as current one is full.
 
25-Apr-14
This place was the highlight of a full day's walk. It is a hidden gem and the history and the back-story makes it even more interesting. Found at 8:44 am.
 
12-Oct-13
On a mission, shared with All Strung Out, to log the Banksia777 WALLS GALORE! multi and an early Waypoint nearby on the track, we set out, following some 'notes' from Jonnosan, along the vague path at the first 'view'. A reappraisal soon had us back, up, out, and seeking the correct track down, down, down. The walk has so many marvellous elements and changes to the location, 'til, almost as an appetizer there is the narrow lead into the first 'room' with its larder and fireside.

A short way further along and there is the magnificent cavern, the 'easy' chair, and a treasure trove of time frozen items. A read of notes, and logs (and it was noted that the previous three Walker log books are placed at the Mitchell Library, which in itself gives credence to the 'history' here), a view of the 'bath' pool ... it was all simply fascinating.

This is a walk that is well worth the effort ... a tad hard on old legs, but the rewards are to be appreciated for a lifetime.

Thank you Jonnosan for this Virtual cache. Very HappyVery HappyVery Happy
 
12-Oct-13
Whilst out on a a wander with whitemushroom on his 400th GC find (a nearby GC Multi),A discussion came up about this cache, we both agreed am attempt was to be made. So down we went, and so glad we did, amazing to see the old artifacts still in place, though seems to be becoming a popular spot, bumped into a couple on their way down, then another group from from Blackheath, that were very interested to know how we had found out about the cave. We told them the truth, and they had heard of caching. Great place, the old artifacts were amazing, especially that old biscuit tin! (check out the bottom of it). So glad we dropped by!

TFTV Jonnosan!
 
23-Dec-12
A very nice walk down to the creek level with the TC crew and pjmpjm. The way to the cave was easy enough with the well defined track if somewhat decrepit in places.
The "cave' was well worth the visit, this obviously gets a fair number of visitors from walking clubs and let's hope from Geocachers as well now.
We made the return journey as the temperature was climbing but we got back just before the thunderstorms started so all was well.
Thanks for the great spot.

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23-Dec-12
A great outing with Team Canary and rogerw3, to a very special place!

And congrats to TC for the 700th.

We had a pretty good walk down and in, but struggled a bit returning 'up' on a rather hot days for these parts. Got out before the thunderstorm.

Found and signed the old log, and checked out everything else and had a good time visiting. Left everything exactly as we found it.

Photos coming soon . . .

Thanks to jonnosan and also to TC for the encouragement.

Five 'Thumbs Up' points for the adventure of going to a secluded spot north of Leura that few people ever see . . .
 
23-Dec-12
700 GCA Caches!!!

I took the youngest two boys, and pjmpjm and rogerw3, for an adventure for my milestone.

The views at various points are magnificent and the cave and the waterful are breathtakingly beautiful.

But, we spent too long looking as it took about three hours round trip, but worth every minute!

TFTC.
 
23-Oct-12
Enjoy!