Strollin at Jenolan

At Jenolan Caves, our tour guides sometimes tell a tale about one of our early cave explorers, James Wiburd.  The legend goes that he originally came to Jenolan Caves because he had some sort of illness, possibly tuberculosis.  (In those days, tuberculosis sufferers were sent away from towns and cities, to allow fresh air and sunshine to work their cure.)  James Wiburd started at Jenolan as a casual guide in 1885.  His health flourished in the caves, so much that he became manager in 1903.  Wiburd worked at Jenolan Caves for 38 years.

Over the years, many have come to Jenolan Caves for the healthy environment.  For example in 1886, one gentleman wrote to the editor of the Sydney Morning Herald,

“As this veritable wonderland of New South Wales becomes better known, it will become rapidly thronged with visitors, not only to admire the marvelous beauties of the caves, but also to recruit their health and strengthen their sinews amid the awe-inspiring mountains which guard the enchanted region.” See whole article. 

So, even a few days of strolling around Jenolan Caves may be able to produce health benefits. Currently, we offer 8 guided show cave tours (9 km total), a self guided cave tour (476 stair steps), 5 bushwalks (20 minutes to 1.5 hours), and 3 adventure caving experiences (2 - 8 hours).  So Jenolan provides many ways to potentially improve your health through walking.

On the Internet, there are numerous websites and articles that outline the enormous benefits of walking. 

Psychological benefits:

• Break from everyday stress – gain a clearer perspective.
• Feel more ‘connected’ with the environment.
• Studies have shown that walking helps people who are suffering from depression.
• Endorphins – the feel good hormones –flood your body during strenuous walking.
• Studies have shown that walking may decrease your chances of dementia by 50 percent.

Physical benefits:

• Work leg muscles.
• Work heart, lungs and circulatory system.
• Breath fresh air.
• Improve bones and muscles (reduced risk of osteoporosis).
• Lose weight.
• Improve glycemic control, especially after meals.
• Improve triglyceride levels and lowers blood pressure, especially after meals..
• Live longer.
• Improve arthritis.
• Boost immune system.
• For the elderly, walking on uneven ground improves balance and reduces the risk of falling.
• Leaning into uphill climbs, and leaningback to walk downhill, makes muscles work in a new way.

If you are in the habit of regular walking, you will discover financial benefits:

• Don’t need gym membership.
• Fewer health bills.
• Fewer transportation expenses.
• Less money spent on fuel.
• Fewer parking fees.
• Lower car maintenance.
• Cheaper date nights - as long as your date also likes walking.
• Spend less on groceries.

Finally, walking can even have professional benefits, because walking is now considered a better way of having meetings. It can be torture trying to stay awake at traditional seated meetings. Walking meetings are growing more commonplace in the business world.