The Imperial Cave is the easiest of all our show cave tours. It follows an ancient river passage, and is mostly level, making it more suitable for most visitors, including the less agile.

Features include Ridleys Shortcut (with a story on how it got its name), Lot's Wife (a 2 metre stalagmite, tall and slim), the Alabaster Column (creamy white calcite) and the Crystal Cities, looking like an ancient fortification. And as its name suggests, the Shawl Cave is filled with delightful shawls.

When the floor of the Imperial Cave was excavated in 1975, bones were discovered. On display in the Imperial Cave are the bones of a Tasmanian devil (long extinct on the mainland) and a Wallaby. As you walk through the cave, you can also see many marine fossils embedded in the limestone roof and walls.

After making your way through the Imperial Cave, you proceed into the upper Diamond branch. A narrow pathway leads through to a wonderland of pure white crystal formations tinted with every shade of pink and apricot. The tour culminates at the Gem of the West, an intricate display of helictites, stalactites, stalagmites, shoals and wave crystal. This walk is very easy, and displays some of the most beautiful crystal you will ever see.

Optional - a 66 step spiral staircase down to the northern Jenolan Underground River.

Average inspection time: 1½ hour

• Length: 1270 metres
• Number of stair steps: 418
• Fitness level: average

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