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State Library of New South Wales
Guide to and description of the Binda or Fish River Caves by George Rawson, c. 1882

Guide to and description of the Binda or Fish River Caves by George Rawson, c. 1882

Guide to and description of the Binda or Fish River Caves by George Rawson, c. 1882

George Rawson

MLMSS 9411 p 146

Ink in exercise book 

In 1882 George Rawson led an expedition to the Fish River Caves. It is believed the party numbered 21 in total and included 8 women, which was unusual for the time.

A product of the expedition, this guide provides a detailed description, not only of the caves themselves, but also of the means by which visitors might enjoy them. It provides advice on travel to the caves, accommodation available for visitors and the equipment required to explore them. Rawson dedicated this guide to his friend Mr George Cardinal who accompanied him on his visit.

Although local Indigenous people had known of the caves for thousands of years it is believed that Europeans first visited the caves in the 1840s. The caves fast became a tourist destination despite the difficulties with access.

Rawson admits in the volume that he wrote the guide for 'his own pleasure and the gratification of what was for the time being his particular hobby'.


The name 'Jenolan' comes from the Gundungurra word 'Genowlan' meaning 'high place shaped like a foot'.


Jeremiah Wilson was appointed as the first 'Keeper of the Caves' in 1867 and was the guide for this expedition.


George Rawson married Mr Cardinal’s adopted daughter Matilda four years after the expedition to the caves.


According to Rawson, the Imperial Caves were the favourite of the party, 'We all came to the determination that the Imperial Caves were not to be compared to any of the others, and almost wished we could have spent more of our time in them and less in the others…' 

The Jenolan Caves were originally known as the Fish River Caves, and sometimes the Binda Caves. The name was confusing, as the caves were not actually on the Fish River, and in 1884 the name was changed to Jenolan Caves.