On the Wambeyan Caves, 

 By DR. JAMES Cox. 



[Read 9th July, 1862.] 



IT is not so easy in Australia as in Europe, to plan at short 

 notice a tour suitable for the brief periods of relaxation we 

 are able to rescue from the pressure of Sydney work. So, when 

 I was the other day casting about for some expedition in which 

 to spend a week's holiday with satisfaction, I found myself rather 

 puzzled to hit on any new line of country, having already 

 explored most of our own vicinity. . My friend, the Rev. Mr. 

 Hassall, jun., relieved me of my difficulty by suggesting a visit 

 to the " Wambeyan Caves ;" but so ignorant was I and I do 

 not find that I am an exception of their whereabouts, or their 

 qualities, that I had to ask what part of the colony they 

 were in. The answer I received was, that they were a day's ride 

 from Berrima. Others were soon induced to join our expedition, 

 but many refused because they had not heard them spoken of, 

 and because I could not inform them how long our visit would 

 take. As I can now, however, answer that question, I should 

 advise any man who has a week to spare, and loves this kind of 

 pleasure, to visit the Wambeyan Caves. 



On Wednesday, 12th March, at twelve o'clock, eleven of us 

 started from Bendooly, Mr. Cordeaux's residence, four miles on 

 this side of Berrima, on horseback, leading two packhorses with 

 the necessary amount of provisions. 



From the back premises of Bendooly we went away due 

 west, and made for Wanganderry, a sheep station of Mr. 

 Cordeaux's, about twelve miles distant. We reached this about 

 two o'clock ; thence we made for Bullio, a second station of 

 Cordeaux's, still going west. From Bullio we made for Bowman's 

 Hill, the descent to the Wollondilly River, which we crossed 

 about six o'clock, and camped on the Horse Flat about half a 

 mile down the river bank : in all about twenty miles from 

 Berrima. The country passed through to this point is for the 



