Review: Are the Capricorn Caves Worth it near Rockhampton?

If you’re road-tripping through Central Queensland, one stop that often comes up is the Capricorn Caves near Rockhampton. Famous for its dramatic limestone formations, cathedral-like chambers, it’s a place that promises both adventure and natural beauty. But you’ll often question, is it really worth visiting?

Many travellers hesitate because they’re unsure what the caves are really like. Are the tours too short or too expensive? Is it suitable for families, or more geared toward adventurous types?

During our visit, we joined two guided tours through the Capricorn Caves and got to experience first-hand what makes this spot special. So, In this review, I’ll share my honest take on the experience, what to expect on the tours, costs, highlights, and whether it’s worth adding the Capricorn Caves to your Central Queensland itinerary.

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My Review on the Capricorn Caves Tours Near Rockhampton

First and foremost – Yes, I believe the Capricorn Caves near Rockhampton are worth visiting for the variety in guided tours and it’s significance. But you must be aware of how different they are from other caves.

You see, a lot of this rock formation is above the ground and is probably one of the driest caves I’ve seen. There is no water rushing through, no drips from the stalactites and you’ll only see a small amount water seeping through after rainfall.

➡  Compare prices for Tours HERE with Get your Guide.

However, for some variety, I completed two different tours and I will explain more about them below.

The Capricorn Caves are just 30 minutes north of Rockhampton (please see location map here) along the A1 (Bruce) Highway.

It’s impossible to venture in without booking a tour, therefore, fully guided. But tours bring added knowledge and information and you’ll be told about the geological forces that form the cave along the way.

It’s the perfect opportunity to dip your toes in adventure and find a subterranean hub of ancient limestone that has remained pretty much unchanged for over millions of years. I personally found the tours very organised and informational and while I don’t think I will visit again, I would recommend it for a first-timer.

What 3 Tours can you do?

They offer three main tours to explore the area. Based on your free time and physical limitations, I’m sure there is something suitable for your group.

Ultimately, we wanted to get the most I could out of the Caves, so I booked and completed the Capricorn Explorer Tour and the Cathedral Tour. 

1. The Capricorn Explorer Tour

• Time: 1.5 Hours
• Footwear: Closed-in Shoes
• Clothes: Anything you don’t mind getting dirty

➡  Book your Capricorn Explorer Tour HERE with GYG.

The Capricorn Explorer Tour is perfect for those who want to learn more about the natural environment and see a lot more areas of the caves than the Cathedral Tour. This includes a guided educational and interactive experience to give you more insight into this unique underground world. 

Tip: Wear clothes you don’t mind getting dirty!

Before the tours start, they run through a safety briefing and provide you with sexy hairnets and helmets with lights. The Helmets were a great idea as they provided protection against low ceilings and rocks. Since you’re venturing into dark sections, you might not see where you’re going and hit your head (Yep, I did that a few times). 

This tour will require some crawling, scrambling, or walking through narrow spaces. I don’t have claustrophobia, but the smaller sections were not that tight and only short, making them easy to handle.

It was fantastic to go through several different sections and scramble on our hands and knees to get out to the top of the rock and outside for views.

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2. The Cathedral Tour

• Time: 45 Minutes
• Footwear: Closed-in shoes preferred
• Clothes: Anything you feel comfortable in

➡  Book your Cathedral Tour HERE with GYG.

After a small break for lunch, we set off on the Cathedral tour. This tour is suited to those seeking a spiritual journey, exploring huge caverns filled with limestone formations and ancient rock art. 

I have been told this is the most popular tour for the centre being short, a little more comfortable and not getting as dirty as the others. Not only that, but this is also the section they hold functions, weddings, and Opera singing.

It doesn’t require helmets and torches, and although we had closed-in shoes, I’m not sure it was mandatory.

There were purpose-built, metal stairs to go down, a few low-hanging walls to look out for, and a zigzag passageway, and you will come out on the well-known Suspension Bridge.

The Cathedral Cave showcases as one of the biggest caves they have in the area, and they have it set up with chairs for functions and even weddings. However, at one point on the tour, they shut off all the lights and played music just to show you how the acoustics worked.

One word is “Phenomenal.”

3. The Capricorn Adventurer Tour

• Time: 120 Minutes
• Footwear: Closed-in shoes preferred
• Clothes: Anything you feel comfortable in and can get dirty. 

➡  Book Tours HERE with GYG.

There’s the Capricorn Adventurer tour option for the thrill seekers and those with extra time. A journey hopping over boulders, squeezing through tight crevasses, and scrambling up caves. You’ll be sure to work up a sweat on this one! 

This is the most immersive Cave experience, and you get to explore remote and dark sections that aren’t offered on the other tours. Unfortunately, I didn’t have time for this tour and haven’t got first-hand experience.

But if you’re reading this blog, then please feel free to email me with your thoughts, so I know if I should stop back in to do it one day!

About the Caves!

These caves are 390 million years old, making them Australia’s oldest tourist attraction. The cave ecosystem is low on food resources for animal life. But, this is due to the lack of green plants, and the caves rely on external entries like Bat guano, leaf litter, and tree roots.

Surprisingly, both the animal and plants in the caves can change the structure of the Limestone rock. This includes:

• The tree roots penetrating the cracks to reach water which enlarges passages.
• The bats alter the ceiling by dislodging material with their feet
• and don’t forget the human impact, which needs to be heavily managed for conservation.

Stalactites and stalagmites are formed by rainwater seeping into the caves, releasing carbon dioxide, and depositing calcite crystals. However, the absence of a permanent water supply, as well as low rainfall in the caves, limits a huge amount of growth of these structures.

Since 1988 Ken and Ann Augusteyn have been the proud owners of Capricorn Caves near Rockhampton. They acquired the property with a sincere commitment to operate it sustainably and ethically. 

Today, their son John keeps this promise alive by ensuring that it’s a place of discovery and serenity where visitors can marvel in awe at the wonders of nature while learning how to protect it. 

Tips on Booking?

Be aware they run many school groups through the caves for learning development. As a result, you could encounter a few hundred school students. So, It’s better to book in advance, especially to find out of tourists can enter that day, but also if they have enough room.

Where to Stay?

Rockhampton has a population of 80 thousand of people and has several different styles of accommodation to suit your budget and needs. We constantly stay in town when driving the coast and normally book a basic Motel style accommodation.

These can range in price from $80 to $120 a night.

➡  Find Rockhampton Accommodation HERE with Booking.com

Although, you can’t get any closer to the Caves, than the Caravan Park next door.

Cabins are available starting at $165 per night for two adults. Alternatively, you have both powered and unpowered sites from $30-45AUD, but I did find a few mosquitoes on my trip, so if you do intend to stay here, then be prepared.

Things to do Nearby?

If you’re planning a road trip from Brisbane to Cairns, a stop at the Capricorn Caves in Rockhampton is a must. While you’re here, there are plenty of other incredible things to see and do nearby that make the detour even more worthwhile.

This includes:

• Just a short ferry ride from Yeppoon, Great Keppel Island offers swimming opportunities, snorkelling on Great Barrier coral reefs, bushwalking tracks, and 17 pristine beaches to explore.

• Cool off in the clear, freshwater swimming holes of Stony Creek, surrounded by lush bushland and picnic spots. It’s a popular local favourite and completely free to enjoy.

• Stroll through one of the oldest public gardens in Queensland at Rockhampton’s Botanic Gardens & Zoo, home to shady walking paths, tropical plants, and a free-entry zoo featuring animals such as chimpanzees, meerkats, and koalas.
• Yeppoon is known for many activities like its lagoon pool, boutique shops, cafes, and foreshore playgrounds.
• You can explore activities in Agnes Water & 1770 with Queensland’s northernmost surf beach, then continue on where you can kayak, take a reef tour, or watch a stunning sunset by the water.

• Take a leisurely walk along the revitalised riverside, with heritage buildings, public art, and relaxing spots to enjoy the Fitzroy River views, especially pretty at sunset.
• Drive or hike to the summit of Mount Archer, finishing with sweeping views over Rockhampton and the Fitzroy River at the Skywalk lookout & Boardwalk. There are also picnic areas, and other walking trails.

Wrap up!

Thanks for reading this review blog post today and finding out if the Capricorn Caves are worth visiting near Rockhampton. I hope you found the information you were looking for, but otherwise, please click HERE for other Hidden treasures in Queensland.

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