Note: Some MSS trips have limited numbers where priority is given to their members, please contact the trip leader to register your interest.
15th-16th November 2025- Glenrock Caves
You can expect small vertical caves mostly, but lots of opportunity to find new caves and we do find the occasional big one! Basic bush camping, 1.5hrs north of Aberdeen. Contact: Brian Reeves: 0402 099329 or kanga941@gmail.com and for the trip book Daniel Burt <daniel@danielburtphotos.com>
22nd November 2025- Training Day- Glenrock recreation area
Meet: 9am at the start of the Yuelarbah walking track (car park)
What are we doing: Abseiling and ladder skills for the kids and beginners. More technical skills training can be arranged if members wish.
What to bring: lunch, water, sunscreen, hat, helmet and any vertical gear you might have. If you don’t have any gear, just let Brian or Daniel know as the club does have some gear to lend out.
Contact: Brian Reeves: 0402 099329 or kanga941@gmail.com or Cathi Humphrey-Hood <cathi@emeraldimages.com.au> and for the trip book Daniel Burt <daniel@danielburtphotos.com
29th November (Saturday)- Pilchers Mountain (near Paterson) TRIP CANCELLED
The main focus of the trip is to assist Helen Smith investigate the species of spiders which are found within the caves.
Meeting: prior to 8am at Paterson and set off in convoy to the property at 8am sharp.
Once at the property there is about a 2km walk up a reasonably steep hill to the start of the gorge and rainforest. The fault caves are in sandstone and conglomerate rock so NO stalactites, stalagmites etc as one would expect with limestone caves.
There are some vertical caves so if you want to do these, you would need to bring all your own gear including ropes.
Participants will need lunch, water, sunburn cream and normal caving gear.
The caves that we will be doing, generally do not require gear other than a hand line. We can split into groups to do different caves. I am Ok with a small group heading off to undertake a vertical cave, eg. Rebel cave is a vertical cave that would take pretty well all day. I would want to be heading back down the mountain at the very latest by 5pm.
Contact: Garry K. Smith gksmith29@icloud.com
Number limit restricted to 16 participants.
30th December 2025- 1st January 2026- Timor Caves Camping Trip
Camping on private property. Basic bush camping with no facilities. Walking and exploration of the NW corner of the reserve through to Crawney Road past Hill Cave. Or escaping the heat and heading underground. Contact: Murray Dalton murray.dalton1@gmail.com
9th-11th January 2026- Gloucester Caves Dive Trip
Short notice trip again (sorry)- but conditions are just right! Plan is to survey and continue pushing the new dive extension. Contact Tam for details: Tambalyn.durney@gmail.com
13th- 15th March 2026- Glenrock Caves
You can expect small vertical caves mostly, but lots of opportunity to find new caves and we do find the occasional big one! The focus for this weekend will be to find the elusive “Kanga Krypt” cave and to continue with some digging projects. Basic bush camping, 1.5hrs north of Aberdeen. Contact: Cathi Humphrey-Hood cathi@fluffycaver.com or Brian Reeves: 0402 099329 or kanga941@gmail.com and for the trip book Daniel Burt <daniel@danielburtphotos.com>
11th -12th April 2026- Future Leaders program (Stage 1)- Timor Caves
Program is being coordinated by Marilyn Scott targeting those interested in becoming Trip Leaders. Anyone interested must contact Marilyn to join the program, and also Garry Smith who is making arrangements (at least 3 weeks prior). A maximum of 6 participates will be accepted to the program. Camping will be at the Timor Caves Reserve at Isaac’s Creek. Contact: Marilyn Scott marilyn_scott@bigpond.com and Garry K. Smith gksmith29@icloud.com
27th April 2026 – Boat Harbour Metal Detecting (Port Stephens)
We are planning a fun day out on Monday the 27th April (ANZAC Day Public Holiday) at Boat Harbour Beach, Port Stephens (up towards Nelson Bay). Brian Reeves will be our trip leader and providing metal detectors for the day. Come and see what treasures you can find! This promises to be a great family day out if we get nice weather!
Meeting: 9:00am at the Boat Harbour Car Park, Kingsley Dr Boat Harbour (or if you come later just wander down to the beach and find us).
What to bring: sunscreen/ hat. Swimmers if you like etc- make it a fun day out to the beach. Parents- bring a chair, water and snacks.
Cost: no trip fees will be charged for this activity!
RSVP: please let me know if you are coming so we can get an idea on general numbers. By the 25th April. Contact: Jodie Rutledge jodie@rutco.com.au or Brian Reeves 0402 099 329
19th April- 2nd May 2026- Mt Etna, Queensland Multi-club Trip
We are planning a multi-club trip to Mt Etna in April 2026 to re-survey Johannsens Cave (4J-1). This is an extremely complex cave with over 1km of passage and it has multiple levels and at least 27 entrance holes which need to be tied into the survey. And still some possible leads! Ideally we would like to have two survey teams and a surface team. There might be the option to visit a couple of other caves that are usually closed for bat breeding at other times of the year, but the primary purpose of the trip is surveying.
Dates are: arrive Rockhampton/Yeppoon Sunday 19th April 2026 – depart Sat 2nd May 2026.
Please let me know if you:
a) can definitely come
b) should be able to come pending leave, inventive excuses to significant others etc or
c) are interested at this stage, and will try to get there if you can.
Once I have an idea of numbers I will try to arrange an airbnb or two in Yeppoon (with the sea-breeze and away from the Rockhampton mosquitoes), although you are quite welcome to arrange something for yourself if you want to stay somewhere else. Contact: Cathi Humphrey-Hood Cathi@fluffycaver.com (note new email address!)
19th-21st June 2026- Timor Caves – Joint trip with Sydney Speleological Society
Photo-tagging and documentation trip. Some easy caving on the side. Trip details still to be confirmed. Might be camping or might be staying at the hut $10 per person per night plus $3 trip fee. Most arriving late Friday night. Contact: Jodie Rutledge jodie@rutco.com.au
26th September (Saturday)- Pilchers Mountain (near Dungog) and Browns Falls (Watagan Mountains) on the Sunday (MSS and NHVSS Joint Trip)
The main focus of the trip is to assist Helen Smith investigate the species of spiders which are found within the caves.
Meeting: prior to 8:25am at the Paterson Court House Hotel Carpark (next to the railway crossing) and set off in convoy to the property at 8:30am sharp. It is another 30 minutes drive to the property from the meeting point.
Once at the property there is about a 2km walk up a reasonably steep hill to the start of the gorge and rainforest. Good 360 degree views and phone reception from the top. The fault caves are in sandstone and conglomerate rock so NO stalactites, stalagmites etc as one would expect with limestone caves.
A few people want to visit Rebel Cave (all vertical rope work), I (Garry) will organise ropes but those who do this cave will not have much time to do anything else. There are a number of other caves which do not require ropes or ladders, just normal caving gear.
Participants will need lunch, water (at least 2 litres), sunburn cream, caving gear and your own vertical gear if you intend visiting Rebel Cave. You must contact the trip leader to register for this trip- especially if you want to visit Rebel Cave.
After Pilcher’s Mountain the group may drive into Maitland for a meal before continuing onto the Watagan Mountains to either camp at Gap Creek or Bangalow campgrounds. Sunday’s activity is a visit to the Gap Creek Boulder Caves. Contact: Garry K Smith gksmith29@icloud.com
26th September 2026- Glenrock Lagoon (Newcastle) Vertical Training Day
Two groups- One group will learn and practice more advanced vertical SRT techniques such as cross-overs. There will be enough trainers to also facilitate those learning to abseil and beginners gaining confidence. Meet at 9am at the Yuelarbah Trail Carpark (off Burwood Rd). Contact: Brian Reeves 0402 099329 or kanga941@gmail.com
November 2026- Tuglow Cave vertical Training weekend– details TBC
Participants must be proficient at SRT and have attended other more basic training days first. Contact: Peter Brady/Andrew Baker Andrew.Baker@environment.nsw.gov.au