Glenlyon Caves and Viator Hill Caves (collectively “Texas Caves” after a nearby town) are the only two major limestone cave areas in south-eastern Queensland. Unfortunately, they were partly drowned by Glenlyon Dam in the mid-1970s.
Getting there
You need to drive for a long time, especially coming from Canberra! The suggested route swings out via Cowra, Molong, Wellington, Coonabarabran, Narrabri, Ashford (worth a stop at Ashford Caves) and around through Mingoola, before a sharp left onto Glenlyon Dam Road just after crossing the Dumaresq River. The Tourist Park turn-off is about 5km before the dam wall itself. Once at Glenlyon Dam, the caves are part-way up the dam — Viator Hill’s top stays above the water and can be spotted in satellite imagery. Glenlyon Caves are across the river to the north-east. Options to reach them: hire a boat from Glenlyon Tourist Park, bring your own boat or kayaks, or walk the dam’s edge (much longer, especially if the water level is high).
Facilities
Glenlyon Dam is popular with fisherfolk (it’s a well-known Murray Cod fishery), so the Tourist Park is well set up with camping and accommodation, plus a small store — bring your own supplies too. Watch for ticks if camping; the local kangaroos carry some absolute monsters. There’s also a small museum about the dam and caves worth a visit if it’s open.