The Sea Caves

by Colin Thiele

Twelve-year-old school friends Sam and Nicholas are exploring the wreck of an old ship near some cliffs. They decide to return the following day to explore some caves which they have discovered nearby. But, once inside the cave, they disturb the roof of unstable rock and find themselves trapped inside. Nobody knows where they are. They have no food or water, and the batteries in their torches are running low...

Genres: Australia

160 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 2000

About the author

Winner of the Dromkeen Medal (1997).

Reviews

[DJ_Keyser · Rating 3 out of 5]

A breezy read, and I managed to plow through this in a single sitting. Colin Thiele was a prolific South Australian author who I read much of growing up, but didn’t really appreciate his craft as much as it deserved until I was an adult. Reading his work now has the effect of a one-two punch—not only is he a great teller of stories, and his writing a perfect gateway into more imposing literature for young readers, but revisiting his work after many decades have passed leaves one almost in a state of mourning for the days gone past. He magnificently captures the curiosity and wonder that spark young spirits onto cavalier exploratory adventures amongst the crags, scrub and undergrowth of their local environment. And you can almost feel the spray of the ocean drift across your face, taste the salt of it, whenever he describes the picturesque coastal environs that Thiele himself loved so much. The Sea Caves, written towards the end of his career, is far from the author’s greatest work, but it certainly doesn’t lack that inimitable magic that will hopefully see Thiele’s works consumed by generations to come.

[Anne Hamilton · Rating 4 out of 5]

A quick, easy-to-read boy's adventure.

Nick is staying with Sam for the holidays. After they explore an old shipwreck, exposed after a huge storm, they find themselves stranded on the cliffs of Point Danger. They leave their diving gear there and scale the cliffs. There they discover a hidden cave. Nick puts his foot in a hole, disturbing the crumbling rock and opening up an entrance wide enough to wiggle into. Although he wants to explore, Sam is keen to get home.

At the top of the cliff, they are warned to keep away from the area by a couple of local nasties - a pair of abalone fishermen. Sam's dad is in agreement - the area is not called 'Point Danger' without a reason.

Nonetheless the boys are enticed back to the cave by the prospect of treasure that has been washed out of the old wreck and deposited on the sandy floor. Knowing they'll cop an ear-bashing and be forbidden to hunt for treasure if they tell anyone, they set off secretly to explore the cave system.

But their movements and their digging disturbs the crumbling rock as they slide down into a second cave - the roof collapses behind them, completely blocking their way out. Sam realises how stupid they have been. No one knows where they are. They have no water or food. They have come completely unprepared for any misadventure. They have no back-up plan of any kind.

But with socks, two pieces of driftwood and a shirt sleeve, the boys manage to hoist a flag with an SOS written in blood on it through a tiny blowhole in the roof of the cave. Will anyone ever see it? Will they be trapped forever? Will their disappearance be another mystery, forever unsolved?

And what's the constant thrumming they can hear near the back of the cave?

[Alif · Rating 5 out of 5]

Good

[Sarah Thornton · Rating 3 out of 5]

Good adventure story

[Gypsy · Rating 3 out of 5]

I don't remember much of this book but I remeber it being good.

[Kymmw · Rating 5 out of 5]

One of my fav. Books for primary- adventure, mystery: great one to read to your kids!