Mingela Caves 1976
Mingela Caves, Sept 1976: limestone cave system west of Townsville with Hovan’s Hole, Main Cave, Bat Maternity and Nursery caves. Known for striking formations, bats, and tricky tunnels, these caves require helmets, torches, and care. A challenging North Queensland caving adventure.
19.9.76
Supplementary information to description by Baas Van der Nul 12.9.71 (P200).
MAP: Map of the caves can be obtained at NACK, (1973) Thesis. There are also maps at the homestead (some).
ACCESS: Ring Mr Winters or Mr Clark first.
"Her" road goes past homestead, along side of Yarragil River, then turns right to ford for a dip in the range of hilly stuff. Then follow blazes on trees. Cars with low clearance are not recommended to go past last blaze.
GEAR: Strong clothes (old clothes), gym boots, torch/lantern, helmet a good idea, compass (most major tunnels lead in same direction as side tunnels more or less at right angles), matches (spare), 1/2 gall. water.
CAVES: In NACK map caves are named (1) HOVAN'S HOLE (2) MAIN CAVE (3) BAT MATERNITY CAVE & (4) BAT NURSERY CAVE. It is recommended that newer maps as Hovan's Hole (discovered by a stockman called Hovan).
Bas only noticed in Maternity Cave & Main cave.
(1) Hovan's Hole: descend into hole 3 metre then 7 metre down 30° slope to small cave and through long sloping tunnel to right, chimney vertically less 5 metres. (Good test for claustrophobia).
(2) Main Cave: Largest.
(3) Bat Maternity Cave (called Bat Cave on P200.) One entrance marked with orange paint. Other entrance side of tree downhill about 5 metres from first entrance. Bat guano has been known to produce a fatal lung disease (due to viruses of bats).
(4) Bat Nursery Cave (called walk-in cave P200). Large limestone pillar near entrance, was very beautiful. 5 metres further on from pillar also beautiful lay formation.
Passage followed to an area of intersecting tunnels which could be dangerous if care is not taken.
Track in this cave starts near Bat Masrying cave as where survey peg, the fellers survey pegs. Cave is at same contour level as Main Cave but 300 metres N-W.
- Best time of year is end of year before wet season.
- Wildlife: bats, euros, grey kangaroos, bustards.
Pan Wiemii.
NB. A thorough description of these caves is found in "Down Under" (Brisbane Speleos)
Oct '78
R.W.
