A Must-Read Guide To Exploring Jenolan Caves

A vast and ancient network of limestone chambers, Jenolan Caves is an unmissable Blue Mountains highlight.

Whether you’re a fan of geology, mythology or simply want to go underground, Jenolan Caves will ignite both your scientific fascination and wild imagination. The solidified beauty of stalactites, stalagmites and limestone structures is nothing short of astonishing as you wind deeper into the Earth.

Exploring this karst landform, where underground rivers pool into basins of pale-blue water and dark tunnels open out into vast theatres, is truly one of the most unforgettable things you can do in the Blue Mountains. From guided tours to adrenaline-spiked adventures, be sure to fasten your head torch before diving into this ancient wonder.

What to expect at Jenolan Caves

Descending into the cool underworld of these limestone caves near the Blue Mountains is akin to entering another dimension. Ancient, expansive and labyrinthine, this natural spectacle draws you deeper below with its enigmatic and otherworldly beauty.

From cavernous chambers and crystal basins to underground rivers and cathedral-like caves that bring to mind the dominion of Hades, this enigmatic underworld is, astonishingly, the oldest open cave system in the world.

guests navigating Jenolan Caves in the Blue Mountains — Step into the world’s oldest open cave system. (Image: Destination NSW)

However, don’t expect to turn up and simply wander into the caves, you’ll need to book ahead (a minimum of two weeks’ notice) for a guided tour. Or, better yet, stay onsite to make the most of this fantastical wonder. For those who prefer to admire rock formations from above ground, there are also walking tracks in and around the valley, such as the Carlotta Arch Walk, McKeown’s Valley Track, Six Foot Track and the Devil’s Coach House Lookdown.

guests climbing up the River Cave system atJenolan Caves in the Blue Mountains — Explore impressive stalactites inside the cave. (Image: Destination NSW)

The history of Jenolan Caves

Predating dinosaurs, the formation of the caves and their continual evolution is almost unfathomable. In 2006, scientists from the CSIRO dated their existence at 340 million years old, far older than originally thought. This long history begins with a coral reef, which eventually compressed into limestone, rose from the ocean and formed part of a mountain range. Add some volcanic action, minerals, radioactivity and many millions of years, and the Jenolan cave system is formed.

a huge hole in Jenolan Caves in the Blue Mountains — The formation of Jenolan Caves is a fascinating history lesson in geology. (Image: Jenolan Caves)

Considering the Blue Mountains themselves only came into being 100 million years ago, what lies beneath them is very ancient, indeed. Of course, the history of the caves is not dormant, as water-soluble limestone continues to transform what lies beneath in an ever-evolving subterranean landscape, slowly excavating more spaces that will exist for millennia more.

the river cave system inside Jenolan Caves, Blue Mountains — The underground waters inside the caves are truly magnificent. (Image: Jenolan Caves)

The local Gundungurra people have long been connected to the caves, which feature in their dreamtime stories and where the underground waters were deemed to have special healing powers. The Gundungurra would travel long distances carrying their sick and infirm to bathe them in the waters of what they call Binoomea, or ‘dark spaces’.

exploring Jenolan Caves in the Blue Mountains — Don’t forget to look up and around while exploring inside the cave system. (Image: Destination NSW)

While the caves remain a sacred place for the Gundungurra, things changed with white settlement when the caves were found and recorded by pastoralist James Whelan in 1838. Eventually the area came under government control and in the 1880s the underground network became a tourist destination, which today, still draws hundreds of thousands of visitors each year.

people inside Jenolan Caves in the Blue Mountains — Explore the majestic subterranean landscape. (Image: Jenolan Caves)

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Top Jenolan Caves attractions

How deep you’re willing to go will determine the attractions you unearth at the caves, but even for those hesitant to burrow down into squeezy tubes and abseil into the depths, there are plenty of easily accessible spaces to marvel.

the Imperial Cave in Jenolan Caves, Blue Mountains — Follow your guide through the impressive Imperial Cave. (Image: Jenolan Caves)

Of the 22 known caves in the Jenolan network, 11 are open to the public as show caves, including Imperial, Chiefly, Lucas, Orient, Temple of Baal, Diamond, and the Pool of Cerebus.

dining at Chisolm’s Restaurant in Jenolan Caves, Blue Mountains — Step into the elegant dining space at Chisholm’s Restaurant. (Image: Jenolan Caves)

But while you’re here, be sure to check out some aboveground attractions and local wildlife, such as platypus, rock wallabies, echidnas and bats. There’s also incredible dining at Chisholm’s Restaurant and the Caves Café, not to mention heritage accommodation at the historic Caves House.

people inside Caves Cafe in Jenolan Caves, Blue Mountains — Stop for a coffee and lunch at Caves Cafe. (Image: Jenolan Caves)

Jenolan Caves Tours

With nine different tours to choose from, you’ll find one to suit your appetite for subterrestrial adventure. If you’re ready for deep-down thrills, opt for the 2.5-hour Plughole Tour, which calls for abseiling, squeezing and climbing. You’ll need to be 10 years or older with average fitness, but there’s no experience necessary.

a group passing through the River Cave system atJenolan Caves in the Blue Mountains — Take your pick from nine different tours. (Image: Destination NSW)

For a lighter approach, go for the Imperial, the easiest of the tours, which is open to kids aged four and up and follows a riverbed to ‘Crystal Cities’ and the magnetic blue waters of the underground river. For budding fossil fans, send them to the deep on the Fossil Hunters Tour that runs during the school holidays for kids aged 5–12.

the blue waters of Jenolan Caves, Blue Mountains — Find an underground labyrinth of caves to explore. (Image: Destination NSW)

The Grand Tour takes guests through two spectacular caves, from Orient, then along the Crystal Basin and down Mud Tunnels to ascend to Temple of Baal and out into the bright light of day. Check the Jenolan Caves website for all the tours, including prices and minimum ages. Remember, you’ll need to arrive at the Jenolan Caves car park one hour ahead of your tour.

the Temple of Baal in Jenolan Caves, Blue Mountains — Enter the breathtaking cavern at the Temple of Baal. (Image: Jenolan Caves)

Jenolan Caves accommodation

Caves House Hotel

Built in 1897 as a wilderness retreat, this historic hotel has long attracted visitors looking to revive in the fresh mountain air and spend time dwelling below ground.

friends walking outside Caves House, Jenolan Caves — Check into the iconic Caves House. (Image: Jenolan Caves)

Elegant in its Federation, Arts and Crafts architectural style, iconic Caves House is a grand yet cosy escape that’s beautifully furnished with sensitivity to its original aesthetic.

the Caves House, Jenolan Caves, Blue Mountains — Caves House is a wilderness retreat nestled in the mountains. (Image: Destination NSW)

Dine at the onsite Chisholm’s Restaurant and enjoy a post-exploratory drink in Jeremiah’s Bar. If you’re a guest of the hotel on a Saturday evening, your stay unlocks the opportunity to visit the caves at night – just be sure to book ahead.

dining and drinking at Jeremiah's Bar, Jenolan Caves, Blue Mountains — Have a tipple at Jeremiah’s Bar. (Image: Jenolan Caves)

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Binda Bush Cabins

These refurbished, two-bedroom abodes are perfect for families visiting Jenolan Caves. Self-contained and set in a eucalypt forest, Bind Bush Cabins allow guests to immerse in their bushland surroundings and make friends with local fauna. While the road between the cabins and caves is currently closed, you can reach the Jenolan Caves car park for your tour via a 50-minute drive through stunning high-country scenery.

Mountain Lodge

Recently renovated in a contemporary but classic style, Mountain Lodge looks as though it could be set in an Austrian village, but here it sits in the Blue Mountains. Located just a five-minute walk to Caves House, Caves Cafe and the caves themselves, its easy access makes it a good choice for exploring Jenolan. With king and family rooms available, the motel-style hotel has all the necessary comforts for a relaxed stay.

Camping around the caves

If you’re keen to pitch your tent or pop the top of your camper trailer, book a site or a cabin at Jenolan Holiday Park in Oberon. A 30-minute drive to the caves, it’s a good option for low-key accommodation and is also close by to Mayfield Gardens, Bathurst and other Blue Mountains attractions.

an aerial view overlooking the scenic grounds of Mayfield Garden,Oberon — Stay near Mayfield Gardens for an easy drive to the caves. (Image: Destination NSW)

Jenolan Caves tickets

Given its enduring popularity, be sure to book at least two weeks ahead for your Jenolan Caves tour, and preferably earlier for holiday periods. Prices for the nine different tours vary but start from $46 for adults and $33 for children, infants are free. Book online in advance.

the Jenolan Caves Directory — It’s easy to find your way around the village when visiting Jenolan Caves. (Image: Jenolan Caves)

Getting to Jenolan Caves

Jenolan Caves is a three-hour drive from Sydney or you can hop a train to Katoomba, and then catch a bus to the Jenolan Caves Carpark. If you prefer, you can join a guided tour that takes you to the caves. If driving, once you arrive at the gate at the top of the steep valley, you’ll need to follow the escort vehicle, which runs every 20 minutes, down to the car park. From there, you can catch a free shuttle or walk 500 metres downhill to the caves and hotel.

the signages to Jenolan Caves in the Blue Mountains — Follow the signs leading to Jenolan Caves. (Image: Destination NSW)

NSW’s beach towns take on a new kind of magic when the cooler months hit.

Autumn and winter cast a whole new light on the New South Wales coastline. The sun hangs lower, the shadows stretch longer and the air is crisp and fresh. The frenetic summer crowds are gone, and the rhythm slows to the pace of a leisurely winter bush walk through still, damp quiet. From wineries pouring winter reds to the annual whale migration up the ‘humpback highway’, here’s why winter on the New South Wales coast is better.

Winter on the NSW South Coast

Winter down south means misty dawns, sipping a flat white on the beach. The thrill of a whale spotting from the headlands and evenings spent slowly savouring Shoalhaven’s wines by the fire.

Start in Kiama, where waves crash into the famous Blowholes. This natural spectacle is achieved when underground pressure and swell unite, sending sea spray soaring above the basalt cliffs. This means, due to larger waves, you’re even more likely to see an explosive display in winter.

two people standing in front of kiama blowhole — See Kiama’s blowholes in full force. (Image: Destination NSW)

Inland, the Minnamurra Rainforest Walk in Budderoo National Park is all subtropical forest and trilling lyrebird song. Make sure to walk silently along the elevated boardwalks, past winter-swelled creeks and the tangled roots of fig trees. You might just hear one of the musically talented birds mimicking your footsteps.

Feeling adventurous? Book a session at Illawarra Fly Treetop Adventures for a wobbly walk through the canopy on Australia’s highest zipline.

Illawarra Fly Treetop Adventures on the new south wales south coast — Walk among the tallest trees. (Image: Destination NSW)

Next, it’s time to take the speed down a notch with a drive over to the historic village of Berry. It’s been a beloved stop for generations of Sydneysiders heading south, as has the obligatory stop at its famous doughnut van for crisped, cinnamon goodness. If you’re ready for something a little more chunky, stroll right past the boutiques (okay, go on, just one quick peek) to Milkwood Bakery. Their flaky pastries and all-day breakfasts are best enjoyed under cream-coloured fringed umbrellas.

Back in Kiama, you’ll also find modern Middle Eastern share plates at Miss Arda, and next-level burgers on The Hungry Monkey‘s extensive menu: an ode to everything pattie-shaped.

End the day at The Sebel Kiama on the harbour. The apartment-style rooms come with full cooking facilities — a welcome addition for families looking to test out the local produce they picked up along the way. Including, but not limited to, vintages from nearby Crooked River Wines.

The Sebel Kiama exterior — Sleep by the harbour.

Winter on the Mid-North Coast

A trip up north is a gentle one at this time of year. You’ll still feel that sunshine warming your shoulders, but the lower temperatures make space for rainforest walks, vineyard lunches and long coastal hikes. All without that pesky humidity.

First stop? It has to be the town of Port Macquarie. Start by marking out a stretch of the nine-kilometre coastal walk you want to tackle (or do the whole thing), which winds from Town Beach to the lighthouse along rugged headlands and quiet beaches. Hot tip: binoculars. Don’t forget them if you want to partake in some close-up sightings of dolphin pods or whales migrating up the ‘humpback highway’.

Port Macquarie Coastal Walk, winter on the New South Wales coast — Wander the Port Macquarie Coastal Walk. (Image: Destination NSW)

Swap sea for canopy at the Sea Acres Rainforest Boardwalk, one of the last remaining pockets of coastal rainforest in the state. The accessible elevated trail passes under climbing ferns and tangled strangler figs, and is alive with scarlet robins, goannas and diamond pythons – if you’re lucky, you might see one slipping through the leaf litter.

Afterwards, lunch is sorted at Cassegrain Wines, where crisp whites and elegant reds are grown using a blend of French winemaking tradition and Australian innovation. After a tasting, saddle up for a horse ride through the estate.

port macquarie koala hospital — Meet Koala Hospital inhabitants at their temporary home. (Image: Destination NSW)

The beloved Koala Hospital is rebuilding, so meet its furry patients in their temporary bushland abode at Guulabaa – Place of Koala. Here, you can see rehabilitation up close and learn how one of Australia’s most iconic animals is being carefully rewilded and protected.

Back in town, Whalebone Wharf serves up fine dining with serious views to go with your oysters. Prefer something breezier? Bills Fishhouse + Bar does everything from blue swimmer crab toast to zucchini noodles drizzled in basil and wattleseed pesto. Down by the waterfront, Little Shack slings ceviche, mushroom burgers and fish tacos with casual aplomb.

At the end of it all, check in to Mercure Centro Port Macquarie, right in the heart of town. From here, everything’s walkable. Just park the car, pop your keys in your pocket, and stroll down to the beach.

bed at Mercure Centro Port Macquarie — Check in to Mercure Centro Port Macquarie.

Winter on the Central Coast

On the Central Coast, expect to explore oyster farms that sit on estuaries, beaches that stretch empty for miles, and the kind of surprise sightings of whale sprays that can stop a hiker in their tracks.

The best way to settle into this slower rhythm is with the Bouddi Coastal Walk, an 8.5km trail that dips through rainforest and eroding cliffs. It’s made for unhurried walkers and long-lens photographers.

Up the coast in Terrigal, it’s prime time to spot humpbacks on the move. Join a cruise or find your own perch — Crackneck Lookout and Norah Head Lighthouse are both local favourites.

a humpback whale breaching on the central coast — Spot migrating humpback whales. (Image: Destination NSW)

Travelling with kids? It would be sacrilege not to visit the Australian Reptile Park. Here, Elvis the saltwater crocodile reigns supreme, and the venomous snake talk somehow manages to be simultaneously terrifying and fascinating.

If that isn’t enough to wear them out, zip and climb your way through Treetops Adventure Central Coast, a ropes course in the canopy of Ourimbah State Forest. Afterwards, steady your nerves with a garden tasting at Firescreek Botanical Winery, where fruit- and flower-infused wines are served under the trees.

Switch earth for sea and hop on a boat tour with Broken Bay Pearl Farm. Once you’re out on the water, you’ll learn how pearls are cultivated and have a hands-on lesson in grading and shucking.

woman holding a pearl at Broken Bay Pearl Farm — Get a hands-on pearl lesson. (Image: Destination NSW)

As the day winds down, grab a seat at Yellowtail in Terrigal, which takes seasonal native produce and presents it with Asian flair. Prefer something simple? Award-winning Mount White restaurant Saddles is a quintessential Australian dining destination. Find an impressive breakfast and lunch menu, dedicated to country-style cooking and seasonal produce.

Stay the night at Pullman Magenta Shores, between the ocean and the lake. There are plenty of ways to relax, with a massage at the day spa, a poolside beanbag and a round or two at the golf course.

restaurant at Pullman Magenta Shores central coast — Eat well at Pullman Magenta Shores’ restaurant. (Image: Destination NSW)

Winter in Wollongong

Wollongong does contrast pretty well. One moment you’re walking beneath an enormous Buddha, the next you’re ordering soju a few blocks from the surf. It’s a town where skydivers land on beaches, trails lead to paddocks and winter days stretch long and clear beneath the Illawarra cliffs.

If you’re coming from the north, start by crossing over the Sea Cliff Bridge. Curving dramatically out like a jutting ‘C’ out above the water means you won’t be able to resist pulling over (safely, in designated lookouts) to gaze down at the waves crashing on the cliffs below.

Just inland is the serenity of the Nan Tien Temple, the largest Buddhist temple in the Southern Hemisphere. You can trace the prayer path, explore the temple gardens and sip delectable Kam Quat Tea in the quiet light at the Dew Drop Inn Tea House.

monk teaching tai chi at Nan Tien Temple — Learn about Buddhist practices. (Image: Destination NSW)

Next, dust off that cowboy hat. It’s time for the Darkes Forest Riding Ranch. Take a guided canter via trail rides among peppermint gums and paddocks. If you’re happier to look at animals than ride them, Symbio Wildlife Park has red pandas dozing in trees, kangaroos that hop up to you and lessons on conservation.

The brave among you shouldn’t miss Skydive Australia – Wollongong. A free fall over the coast via tandem jumps before tumbling down to the sand is a breath-stopping thrill. Prefer to keep your feet on the ground? Check out the program at Wollongong Art Gallery, which delivers contemporary and Aboriginal exhibitions in the centre of town.

monkey at Symbio Wildlife Park — Hang out with the locals at Symbio Wildlife Park.(Image: Destination NSW)

As evening settles in, nab a table at Baby Face Kitchen. It has an ever-changing set menu, with dishes like hand-picked mud crab with white asparagus and salty brown butter, to sheep’s milk and honey ice cream. For something more casual, Dagwood Bar + Kitchen brings the fun with Korean fried chicken, sake cocktails and weekly all-you-can-eat bao buns.

Check in to Novotel Wollongong Northbeach, right by the sand. With a beachfront pool and ocean views, it’s an ideal base for whatever pace you choose.

Winter on the New South Wales coast starts with a cosy place to stay. Start planning your adventure at all.com.

A must-read guide to exploring Jenolan Caves

A vast and ancient network of limestone chambers, Jenolan Caves is an unmissable Blue Mountains highlight.

What to expect at Jenolan Caves

The history of Jenolan Caves

Top Jenolan Caves attractions

Jenolan Caves Tours