These two caves are physically connected, but no access is permitted between the two, as the connection contains much formation that would be destroyed in the process of visiting. Janus is a fossil level of North Deep Creek, and access to it is extremely highly restricted, with only one visit being allowed per year. This is because it is also one of the most absolutely stunning caves at Yarrangobilly, with the Rawlinson Chamber at the end of the cave being festooned with formation. Janus Cave was originally discovered by NUCC, one of our major finds at Yarrangobilly, and the Rawlinson Chamber is named after a NUCC member who died in a car accident.
If you want to visit Janus Cave, I’d recommend lining up someone who knows the cave as a guide, brushing up your vertical skills, and apply for a permit early in the year. Navigation through the cave isn’t too hard, but there is one confusing rockpile section, and NPWS makes it a requirement of entry that you go with someone who has visited the cave before.
North Deep Creek is the active version of Janus Cave, with a creek sinking into and running through much of the cave. It is gated, and runs for quite some distance through a mix of breakdown and streamway passage . The latter sections of the cave are very pretty, with much flowstone and even oolites. Eventually the cave goes through the ‘Duckunders’, and the best formation is beyond this, up a scaling pole pitch in what is known as the January Series. So very inaccessible! Unless you want to grovel, you’ll either need to be a very confident climber, or bring gear to rig a 10m pitch to reach the best section of the streamway.