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Cutta Cutta Caves Nature Park Cutta Cutta Caves Nature Park covers 1,499 hectares of Tropical Karst (limestone) landscape, which is limited to only a few isolated locations in Northern Australia. Associated with the extensive Tindall limestone, a cavernous rock formed some 500 million years ago, unusual and spectacular erosion features occur in these low limestone ridges. Tower-like masses of limestone, with some supporting large boulders, and various surface depressions are a few of the intriguing features of this landscape. The caves themselves consist of a series of limestone caverns connected by narrow passages. They provide park visitors with a first hand experience of limestone cave formation and associated activity. The continued management of this park contributes to the conservation of the representative samples of Tropical Karst country and its associated flora and fauna in the Northern Territory. Access Situated approximately 30 kilometres south of Katherine, the park is readily accessible for day visitors. An all weather road extends for one kilometer from the Stuart Highway and provides access to the carpark and the visitor centre. The park is open daily all year however due to flooding within the cave systems during the wet season (December - April) tour times may vary. The most comfortable time of year to visit the park is between the months of May and August, when external conditions are warm and dry. Visitor Facilities Various facilities are provided for park visitors. These include a carpark, picnic facilities, walking tracks, guided cave tours and an informative visitor's centre including a kiosk. The visitor's centre presents more detailed information on the cave formation, Karst landscapes and wildlife within the park. It is recommended that you visit the centre prior to embarking on your guided tour. What To See And Do Guided tours of Cutta Cutta and Tindall cave systems are conducted every day and generally hourly throughout the day. For further information about these tours please contact the Visitor Centre - (bh) 89721940, (ah) 89723633, or the Katherine Regional office of the Parks and Wildlife Commission on 89738888. A 'Tropical Woodland' walking track is also available and enables visitors to experience the open tropical woodland, indicative of the Katherine Region vegetation. The duration of this walk is approximately 35 minutes. Sturdy footwear and sunscreen is recommended on all walks. Fauna The cave environment caters for a great variety of wildlife. The Brown Tree Snake (Boiga irregularisis) is often seen coiled upon cove ledges. This species is not considered dangerous, but should be left undisturbed. Other species of snakes are known to visit the caves from time to time. Five species of cave-dwelling bats occur in the dark recesses of the main show cave, although most are rarely visible to the public. The Ghost Bat (Macroderma gigas) and the Orange Horseshoe-bat (Rhinonicteris aurantius), considered to be rare and highly specialised species, are two of those recorded. Other intriguing residents inhabit two small pools at the end of the caves. Two species of Blind Shrimp (Parisia ungius and Parisia gracilis) of about one centimetre in length, which are completely devoid of eyes or body pigment, can be found in the warm waters. The only other species closely related to these shrimps are found in the subterranean waters of the Malagasy Republic. Prolific birdlife throughout the park makes for interesting observation. Some 170 species of birds have been recorded within the park, including species listed as vulnerable; these being the Hooded Parrot (Psephotus dissimilis) and the Gouldian Finch (Erythrura gouldiae). The best time for birdwatching is in the early morning and late afternoon. Flora Most of the park is an open woodland dominated by Eucalyptus (Eucalyptus foelscheana, Eucalyptus tectifica and Eucalyptus confertiflora) with tall grasses (Themeda triandra, Sehima nervosum and Sorghum spp.). At the entrance to many cave systems and covering some of the areas of limestone there is a unique cluster of Tropical Rainforest/vine thicket. These thickets are reported to be the remains of the most inland fringe of rainforest which once covered the northern parts of Australia. Today they remain as small patches scattered throughout the limestone. The most striking of all the species are the native figs (Ficus virens var. dasycarpa), their entanglement of roots disappearing into the rocks. Caves are an easy passage way for these roots to follow down into the water table below. History The cultural values of the park stem from the long association of the Jawoyn people with this area. The cave itself presents no evidence of Aboriginal use, though there is ample archaeological evidence of past Aboriginal activity throughout the park. Jawoyn people still continue their traditional socio-religious responsibilities with respect to such areas. In approximately 1900, a European stockman discovered the main cave entrance and for a short period it was called "Smith's Cave". During World War II, servicemen who frequently visited the area, referred to it as the "16 Mile Cave". The area was dedicated to the then Northern Territory Reserves Board (now Parks and Wildlife Commission of the NT) in 1967, and a private tourist operator commenced underground tours shortly after. In 1979, the area was renamed Cutta Cutta Caves Nature Park. In 1992 a second show cave (Tindall Cave) was opened for public viewing. This cave has lighting generated from a solar energy station which uses a tracking device to harness the sun's energy. Protecting Our Heritage
More Information Parks and Wildlife Commission of the Northern Territory
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