Captain Thunderbolt was a bushranger who operated in the New England district between 1864 and 1870. Thunderbolt's real name is believed to have been Frederick Ward who was born at Windsor near Sydney. After being imprisoned for horse stealing in 1860 he escaped and commenced his life of bushranging.

He eluded capture for seven years but became increasingly reckless, often trevelling many kilometres in order to steal a good racehorse. Finally in 1870 he was shot and killed by a policeman when he refused to surrender following a robbery near Tamworth. He was buried near Uralla.

This collection of caves and overhanging rocks situated a few kilometres north of Tenterfield is believed to have been regularly used by Thunderbolt as a hide out. The huge boulders split by nature are very impressive and well worth a visit.