Planning and implementation of cave infrastructure for visitation
Abstract
At Jenolan Caves in Australia five kilometres of cave passage has been developed for cave tours, providing for a range of guided cave tour routes which today cater for over 230,000 cave visits a year.
Major redevelopment of the infrastructure within the caves has been undertaken over the last 10 years with a further two kilometres of cave passage to be redeveloped in the next three years.
Cave infrastructure planning issues include clarifying cave development and cave protection goals, materials to be used, design, impact assessment, works management, future capability of infrastructure, cave security, visitor safety and construction methods and techniques. How these issues are being addressed at Jenolan is discussed.
The redevelopment of the caves at Jenolan using of a wide range of lamp types and programmable lighting systems allows flexibility in illumination that can be matched to changing interpretation themes while minimising negative impacts on the cave and providing energy efficiencies.
Cave managers are encouraged to share cave development information and experiences to assist in preserving cave values and to provide developed caves that will meet management and visitor needs for many years ahead.