Membership of the Group is open to any person interested in speleology, who concurs with the aims and objectives of the Group.
By joining HCG you also become a member of the Australian Speleological Federation (ASF). As a Corporate member of ASF, HCG has a say in national and Federation caving matters through its Council meetings.
Full Membership is open to those who, in addition to the basic requirements above:-
- Have completed at least 30 hours caving in non-tourist caves, on at least three trips
- Have knowledge of ASF’s Safety Regulations, Code of Ethics and Minimal Impact Caving Code.
- Show a sufficient degree of responsibility for themselves, others and the environment.
- Or have satisfied the above in respect of membership of any other ASF member society.
Nominations to membership, shall be decided by majority vote of a General Meeting
As responsible cavers, members must abide by the ASF and HCG’s codes of conduct and ethics. After you have joined HCG, you can also tag onto other club trips once you are trained and get to know them.
HCG meets monthly (2nd Tues of month) and holds its Annual General Meeting (AGM) in March. At the AGM, members elect its Executives to run the day to day business of the club.
HCG is also a member of the New South Wales Speleological Council where it has voting rights on State matters through its elected representative.
In between all this, we go caving!
The HCG membership costs and benefits are as follows:
| Introductory (prospective) membership (12 months) * | $32.00 |
| Standard HCG membership | $99.00 |
| Family HCG membership | $152.00 |
| Single parent family HCG membership | $117.00 |
| Student/pensioner/unemployed/retired HCG membership | $75.00 |
| Member paying ASF component of fees through another club | $29.00 |
| Life Member HCG | $77.00 |
| Life Member HCG (Inactive) | $28.00 |
| ASF Fellow, ASF Life Member etc | $29.00 |
*Introductory members are not liable for Standard etc HCG club fees until 12 months after date of joining and only after being elected to full member. Additionally, Caves Australia Magazines are not included in the introductory membership.
NOTE Fees are due in March and payable BEFORE 31 March
What you get for your membership:
- 12 months HCG Membership (including access to HCG caving trips)
- FREE subscription to “Calcite”
The official journal of HCG. 2025 edition out soon… - Membership of the Australian Speleological Federation (ASF);
- ASF Public Liability insurance on official HCG caving trips and activities
- FREE subscription to the ASF Journal “Caves Australia” (issued quarterly)
Find out who’s doing what to who in the caving world and what’s happening in the latest HOT caving areas. - Caving training, advice and mentoring from active, experienced cavers;
- Access to the HUGE HCG library of caving reports, journals etc
Soon to be available on-line - And much more…
* NB Caves Australia not included in introductory membership.
To join, click here for your membership application form. You can bring your form to a meeting, email to the Secretary or mail to the Secretary.
Secretary Email: secretary@hcg.caves.org.au
Mailing Address:
Highland Caving Group
23 Dewrang St,
Lidcombe, NSW, 2141
For any questions, please contact us via the the contact form, or email the Secretary.
Updated: 31 March 2025