B.D. CLARK

‘Show’ cave  visitation is decreasing - while ‘wild’ cave visitation is  increasing; both  trends being regarded as undesirable.

To  reverse   these  trends   two   specific   management strategies have been implemented:-

* ‘wild’  cave access  has  been  regulated  by  the adoption of the Basic Australian Cave Classification (Davey et. al. 1981)      
*  promotion  of  the  caves  in  general  has  been enhanced by  the  introduction  of  Adventure  Tours which have generated considerable media interest.

Public reaction  to these tours has exceeded expectations and the potential for future expansion is high.

Some conflict  between recreational  cavers and  the full potential of  adventure tours  must  be  resolved  before further development of this concept at Naracoorte.

During the  last ten years visitation to Naracoorte Caves showed two general patterns:-

(1) The day visitor who arrives by car or coach, sees two of the  three show  caves, has a cup of coffee and leaves after a 1 1/2 - 3 hour stay.

(2) The  “weekend caver”  who arrives  on  Friday  night, leaves on  Sunday, wants  to see  everything - especially the best  - and  naturally enough  wants to see it all on the same weekend.

Regrettably, management  of the caves and access approval has been  irregular and  without  documented  guidelines. The “weekend  caver” generally got what he asked for with the result that too many of the wrong people were getting into the wrong caves for the wrong reasons.

From these two patterns certain trends could be predicted fairly reliably.

(1) day visitation rates will drop because we are an “old product” -  nothing new  is happening  so there’s nothing new to see.

(2) “weekend  caver” numbers will increase because anyone can get in with very few questions asked.  The Naracoorte Caves  are  regarded  by  many  as  little  more  than  a subterranean playground.

Neither trend  will be  simple to  turn around.  However, with the  release of a draft management plan in 1986 came the  opportunity   to  introduce  some  initial  changes. Although  funding  to  re-draft  and  publish  the  final management plan  is not  yet available, management of the caves  has   been   very   closely   aligned   with   the recommendations of  that first  draft released for public comment. The draft  plan recommends  the adoption  of a  report on cave classification  by Davey  et al, in 1981 and each of the  26   known  caves   within  the   Naracoorte   Caves Conservation Park has been classified accordingly.

Access to  special purpose  caves  is  now  more  rigidly controlled with  recreational caving  being  directed  to those caves classified as adventure and wild.

The “subterranean playground” trend is now dying - slowly and painfully maybe, but, it is dying.

Another  issue   raised  in   the  draft   plan  was  the possibility of operating guided tours - for inexperienced people -  through the  adventure caves.   This suggestion was seen as one way of overcoming the “old product” trend and  the   Naracoorte  Adventure   Tours   were   quietly introduced during Easter 1986, just to test the water, so to speak.

These first tentative tours were offered at $3/head for a one hour  crawl into  Blackberry Cave  (part  only).    A minimum group  size was set at 4 and a maximum was set at 10.   Participants provided their own overalls, boots and torches and  for their $3 got a guide, a hardhat and very dirty!   Prior to entering the cave the guide briefed the group an appropriate behaviour to protect themselves from the cave  and the  cave from themselves.  During the tour the guide  pointed out features of interest and explained how they  were  formed,  discussed  cave  navigation  and safety while endeavouring to impart some understanding of the cave environment.

After each  tour the  guide  and  the  participants  were informally surveyed to gauge the potential of the idea.

In general, it was found that:-

1. the price was too cheap! 
2. unless asked, the guide was wasting energy giving technical information. Participants were too excited to
take it in. 
3. respect for the cave environment was enhanced.
4. a  ‘sense  of  achievement’  was  felt  and  most participants wanted  more of  a challenge  and  were prepared to pay more for it. 
5. the  dirtier they  got -  the more  they  thought they’d had their money’s worth.

With all  this in  mind we  offered during  the following tours during  September school holidays.  Blackberry Cave was offered  on the  same basis but priced at $5/head and Stick Cave  (also $5/head)  was offered as an alternative or an  extra for  those   who wanted more.  The price was about  right,   the  guide  saved  some  breath  and  all scheduled tours  - plus  extras  -  were  profitable  and highly successful.   Except  that most participants still wanted more.

Other than  a poster  display  near  the  ticket  office, promotion of  the Adventure Tours had been solely by word of mouth.  After  September, when  word started  to  get around a  bit more,  we were no longer an “old product” -with something now happening at Naracoorte the media took an interest.   Numerous  radio, television  and newspaper interviews about  the Adventure  Tours have  generated  a renewed interest in the caves in general.

Media exposure generated widespread interest in Advenventure Tours andby December 1986 advance booking from as far as Adelaide and Melbourne were not uncommon. Still the potential for Adventure Tours at  Naracoorte was not  yet  fully explored.

In January 1987 more challenging excursions to some of the wild caves and (parts only) caves of outstounding natural value were offered at $15/head (minimum 4 - maximum 6) for a 2 hour  tour.  This offer was made only to people who had participated to the guides satisfaction in tours to Blackberry and Stick adventure caves.

While  these  ‘standard’(?)  Adventure  Tours  have  been successful and continue to operate as required, during Easter 1987  'The Adventure Tour for Everyone" was tried in Tomatoe Cave . Steel steps were hastily installed, a "safe " pathway prepared and the cave lit with candles. Five tours/day - limited to 20 persons / tour were scheduled, but  demand was such that 6 to 7 tours of 25 to 30 persons  was  what  eventuated.    A  very  successful exercise.

There  is  still  scope  to  extend  the  Adventure  Tour programme at  Naracoorte, however  a  potential  conflict must first be addressed and satisfactorily concluded.

Excursions to special purpose reference caves (part only) where parties  under strict  supervision by a guide could be directed  away  from  specified  areas  would  greatly enhance the  concept without  putting the special feature of that cave at risk.

However, the  “weekend caver” still reeling in shock will most  certainly   want  to  know  why  such  novices  are permitted  entry   to  areas   where  they,  experienced, responsible “speleologists” that they are, are not?

Reference

DAVEY, Adrian,  WORBOYS, Graeme  AND STIFF,  Clyde (1982) Report on  cave classification, Cave Management in Australia IV, pp 11-18 [in error as Worboys, Davey & Stiff]