First explored in 1882 by John Olsen, a Norwegian pioneer living at Etna Creek. He kept his discovery secret whilst he lodged his claim through the Crown Land Alienation Act of 1876 by marking a tree and surveying the property.

On 1st December, 1884, the land
(80 acres) was officially gazetted as Olsens Caves .
The caves were popular in the early years as a picnic spot. John Olsen's sons built the Caves Hotel to accommodate visitors to the caves unable to return home before darkness. When the railway line was laid, the hotel was relocated to the Caves Square , its current position.

The Olsen's were early conservationists but they did lease the caves to a Guano Mining Company for a few years. The lease did not continue long after a tunnel linking the Cathedral Cavern with the High Dome was excavated at the end of the 19th century. During WWII, thousands of American troops were stationed in the area. Z Commando Force used the local caves for training.

After the war, Theodore Olsen (third generation) focused on turning the caves into a regular tourist attraction. Assisted by the sealing of the road from Brisbane to Cairns , visitation to the caves increased.

The opening of Cammoo Caves in 1966 created bitter rivalry between the two sets of cave owners. Rodney Olsen was the only member of the family to reside on the property when he built the kiosk/house. In 1988, he sold the complete property to Ken & Ann Augusteyn.

Thus began a new era.
This premier natural attraction has now become a regional destination.