Potholing is an expression that originated in the United Kingdom as a subset category of recreational caving. For potholers, the cave system that is wild and non-commercial has the most appeal.
For the uninitiated, the act of delving into the depths of a dimly-lit cave may seem like adventure enough in its own right. But, when it comes to potholing, it is the adventure element of the cave that is captivating, and the act of casual, indoor climbing or carefully moderated family-sites will simply not do.
The Blue Mountains is undoubtedly the most appealing location for an aspiring potholer, although to travel the 102 kilometers from Sydney's CBD can be a fair time commitment. In standard conditions, the
drive will take just under 1 hour and 40 minutes, although various contingencies can impact upon the length of the journey.
The Plughole Tour comprises an introduction to Adventure Caving, which involves abseiling 10 meters into the Elder Cave. Open every day (including Christmas), tours cost $28 to $40 for an adult ticket, depending on the number of caves and theme of the tour.
For people hoping to truly plunge the depths of potholing, there is the
Mammoth Cave, which is the deepest cave on the Australian mainland. According to the official body of the
Jenolan Caves, scuba divers have descended 92.7 meters without finding the bottom.
