Gypsy Heart
Gold Member
By the early 1830s some bushrangers known as 'The Ribbon Gang' were using the Arch (which the locals referred to as 'The Bridge') as a hideout. This little-known gang was led by a disgruntled convict, Ralph Entwistle. They terrorised the local area from September to October 1830 until they were captured. Although it is interesting to note that, after a particularly bloody battle, the gang retreated to Abercrombie Caves, were followed and cornered, but escaped through an 'exit hole'. They were caught the next day. Two members of the gang died from wounds. The remaining ten were hanged at Bathurst Prison on 2 November 1830. Their loot was never found.
Throughout the 1830s people from the surrounding properties would visit the main cave and by the 1840s it was a popular visiting place. A survey was carried out in 1842. The Sydney Morning Herald reported on a visit to the caves in 1843 and the immensely gifted artist, Conrad Martens, arrived and made a number of sketches in May, 1843.
The discovery of gold in the area in the 1850s (Tuena - 1851, Mount Grey - 1854) resulted in a huge increase in visitors to the caves. In 1860 the miners at Mount Grey built the first stage in the Arch Cave. It was replaced in 1880 and is still used occasionally today.
Throughout the 1830s people from the surrounding properties would visit the main cave and by the 1840s it was a popular visiting place. A survey was carried out in 1842. The Sydney Morning Herald reported on a visit to the caves in 1843 and the immensely gifted artist, Conrad Martens, arrived and made a number of sketches in May, 1843.
The discovery of gold in the area in the 1850s (Tuena - 1851, Mount Grey - 1854) resulted in a huge increase in visitors to the caves. In 1860 the miners at Mount Grey built the first stage in the Arch Cave. It was replaced in 1880 and is still used occasionally today.
