Wombeyan Caves Travel Guide

Tourist Guide

This short walk (45mins) from Wombeyan Caves Information Centre leads you to Mares Creek where you can swim (take a wet suit) between the gorgeous rock walls. You climb between sections to reach long stretches of water. Such a fantastic place!
One of the spectacular formations inside the Figtree Cave at Wombeyan Caves Karst Conservation Reserve.

Although it's not as adventurous as the various nearby wild cave systems such as those at Tuglow and Bungonia, it's a top spot for camping, wildlife watching and for learning about the geology and history of these remote and magnificent caves.

The caves had been a special place to the local Gundungurra people for hundreds of generations, but there is little evidence they used the caves themselves for shelter.

Europeans first discovered Wombeyan Caves in 1828 when explorer John Oxley and pioneering grazier John Macarthur explored the areas between Berrima and Oberon looking for grazing land. They stumbled upon the massive entrance to the Figtree Cave, the Victoria Arch, at the end of a cleared box canyon.

In 1868 the area was set aside by the colonial NSW government as a reserve and was staffed by a caretaker, Mr Charles Chalker. Chalker explored the area extensively and discovered many of the dozens of caves in the Wombeyan system. 

The area became very popular with tourists and geologists alike, and in 1900 a road was opened, linking Wombeyan Caves to Mittagong in the east. An account of this newly-pushed-through road is found in one of my favourite books, "Landlopers" by John Le Gay Brereton, published in 1899. 

I have read newspaper letters to the editor from the 1910s where the writers bitterly whinge about the state of the Wombeyan Caves Road between the Caves and Mittagong. Over 100 years later, people are still whingeing about it haha. I call it The Road Of Doom and it's a picturesque drive which is even a little adventurous at times.

The Wombeyan Caves themselves were popular throughout the first half of the 20th Century and the Figtree Cave in the photo was opened to the public as a guided show cave in 1968 and it's been inspiring visitors ever since.
Berrima Bakehouse Motel

Berrima Bakehouse Motel

3.5 out of 5
19 Old Hume Highway Berrima NSW
The price is Rp1.801.420 per night from 22 Mar to 23 Mar
Rp1.801.420
Rp2.014.588 total
22 Mar - 23 Mar
includes taxes & fees
Stay at this motel in Bowral. Enjoy free Wi-Fi, a garden and a picnic area. Our guests praise the helpful staff and the clean rooms in their reviews. Popular ...
9.4/10 Exceptional! (1,001 reviews)
Central place to stay in Berrima

Reviewed on 17 Mar 2026

Berrima Bakehouse Motel
Canyonleigh Retreat

Canyonleigh Retreat

3.5 out of 5
Canyonleigh NSW
The price is Rp2.183.561 per night from 18 Mar to 19 Mar
Rp2.183.561
Rp2.401.894 total
18 Mar - 19 Mar
includes taxes & fees
Stay at this B&B in Canyonleigh. Enjoy free Wi-Fi, free parking and an outdoor pool. Popular attractions Stingray Swamp Flora Reserve and Eling Forest Vineyard ...
9.8/10 Exceptional! (32 reviews)
Always a great place to stay

Reviewed on 9 Jan 2026

Canyonleigh Retreat
Scribbly Farm Premium Dome Bush retreat Southern highlands

Scribbly Farm Premium Dome Bush retreat Southern highlands

2 out of 5
1480 Wombeyan Caves Rd High Range NSW
The price is Rp3.026.387 per night from 6 Apr to 7 Apr
Rp3.026.387
Rp3.329.026 total
6 Apr - 7 Apr
includes taxes & fees
Stay at this farm stay in High Range. Enjoy free parking, a garden and conference space. Popular attractions Joadja Nature Reserve and Joadja Distillery are ...
10/10 Exceptional! (5 reviews)
A great get away
A quite stunning location, great set up and really luxurious. Well equipped, very comfortable bed and all in all a wonderful experience.

Reviewed on 19 Sept 2025

Scribbly Farm Premium Dome Bush retreat Southern highlands
Lowest nightly price found within the past 24 hours based on a 1 night stay for 2 adults. Prices and availability subject to change. Additional terms may apply.
YEHS Hotel Sydney Harbour Suites

YEHS Hotel Sydney Harbour Suites

4 out of 5
252 Sussex Street Sydney NSW
Stay at this business-friendly aparthotel in Sydney. Enjoy free Wi-Fi, a fitness centre and parking (surcharge). Our guests praise the pool and the helpful staff ...
8.2/10 Very Good! (2,614 reviews)
I am a walker and could walk everywhere I wanted to go: good public transport close by if preferred. I booked three nights ahead of a cruise, the location was more than adequate for Darling Harbour & the Quay, Rocks, Opera House, Botanical Gardens etc.

Reviewed on 17 Mar 2026

YEHS Hotel Sydney Harbour Suites
Quest North Sydney

Quest North Sydney

4 out of 5
223 Miller Street North Sydney NSW
Stay at this business-friendly aparthotel in Sydney. Enjoy free Wi-Fi, a 24-hour fitness centre and parking (surcharge). Our guests praise the helpful staff ...
9.2/10 Wonderful! (370 reviews)
Big size room and have kitchen so we can heat up food and snacks. Close to station and cafe, shops station

Reviewed on 1 Mar 2026

Quest North Sydney
Meriton Suites Kent Street, Sydney

Meriton Suites Kent Street, Sydney

5 out of 5
528 Kent Street Sydney NSW
Stay at this luxury aparthotel in Sydney. Enjoy free Wi-Fi, a fitness centre and parking (surcharge). Our guests praise the helpful staff and the clean rooms ...
8.8/10 Excellent! (2,332 reviews)
Great location.

Reviewed on 16 Mar 2026

Meriton Suites Kent Street, Sydney
Lowest nightly price found within the past 24 hours based on a 1 night stay for 2 adults. Prices and availability subject to change. Additional terms may apply.

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