brief history ...

Wombeyan Caves are located in the Southern Highlands of New South Wales. In the Wombeyan region a variety of wildlife, wildflowers and native shrubs can be seen.

There are five caves at Wombeyan accessible to the public: Fig Tree Cave, Junction Cave, Wollondilly Cave, Kooringa Cave and Mulwaree Cave.

The Wombeyan Caves were discovered in 1828 by people in search of grazing land. Between them were the explorer John Oxley, John Macarthur, a pioneer of the Australian wool industry, and the NSW Surveyor General.

They travelled from Berrima and reached the Wombeyan Caves via Mittagong. They discovered the caves by chance while looking for their straying horses. First man to enter the caves was a clergyman called Denning. He explored a section of the Fig Tree Cave.

Charles Chalker was the first appointed person to look after the Wombeyan Caves. He discovered three of the main caves Wollondilly Cave, Kooringa Cave and Mulwaree Cave.

Initially the Wombeyan Caves were illuminated using candlelight and magnesium. In 1928 the first caves from the Wombeyan Caves complex were illuminated electrically.

general comment

Wombeyan Caves are worth visiting, is not doubt about that, but for the tourist who want to see Australia in two days it is completely out of reach.

tourist information ...

How to get there
In Australia is best to rent a car if you plan to go outside the City. The railway network is not as extensive as in Europe or US. Not only that the railway is not close by but also you need to travel some 25km on a dirt road (unsealed road).

The route is: Sydney - Berima - Mittagong - Wombeyan Caves. Between Mittagong and Wombeyan Caves the road is not sealed, but is well maintained. See map.

Contact details:
Wombeyan Caves, NSW
Ph: 02 4843 5976
Web site: Wombeyan Caves
Please note that Wombeyan Cave site is part of the Jenolan Caves web site.

Hours of Operation:
The Wombeyan Caves are opened everyday. Please check the official web site for the current times and prices.