Ben Hall's Cave

The wild Weddin country was a useful refuge  for bushrangers on the edge of settled lands near Young and Forbes. Ben Hall’s Cave, the most famous cave in the Weddin Mountains is reputed to be Ben’s hideout and where he hid supplies. Although the cave is not very habitable and is difficult to reach by horseback, it is secluded and you can just imagine the advantage this would have give the Hall gang as they would have been able to see troopers for miles to the west.

On June 14th 1862, eight bushrangers including Ben Hall and Frank Gardiner carried out what was then the greatest robbery in Australian history when they held up the Forbes  to Sydney Gold escort outside Eugowra. Two troopers were injured in the well planned and daring holdup that netted £3,700 in cash and 2,719 ounces of gold, the equivalent to over $1 million dollars. The proceeds were never recovered and local legend has it that the booty is still stowed somewhere in the Weddin Mountains.

Over the years there have been many tales of hideouts, gold stashes and bushranger relics. Someone knows someone else whose uncles friend once found a rusted pistol, a saddle, a convict leg iron. Caves have been seen once and never found again- covered by rock falls some say. The Weddin Mountains is that sort of place, with that sort of history.

Even though Hall committed over 600 robberies  the people of the Weddin Mountain held  a soft spot for him. They knew Ben as a good-looking, athletic and gentlemanly neighbour and Ben rarely robbed from the locals. Which may have been because there were 3 police stations close to the mountains. The gang stole the best horses they could find so they were able to outrun the troopers.

At the time of the holdup Ben was a part owner in a property north of the mountains. The Felon’s Act  of 1863 and growing community hostility towards Ben lead to his demise and he was shot by police at Goobang Creek in May 1865. Ben Hall is buried in the Forbes cemetery. Ben Hall’s cave has been preserved by the National Parks and Wildlife Service. Situated on the north western side of the mountain the cave is a sprightly 30 minute walk from the car park with a great view of the surrounding farmland.

Ben Hall's Cave campground is serviced with barbeques, parking and toilet facilities.

‘That was before my time’ NSW National Parkes and Wildlife

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