Wombeyan Caves

Travel 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 €103 per night from 22 Mar to 23 Mar
€103
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
Farmstay at Fleece, Flock & Fibre an historic railway station in Taralga

Farmstay at Fleece, Flock & Fibre an historic railway station in Taralga

Taralga NSW
The price is €105 per night from 22 Mar to 23 Mar
€105
22 Mar - 23 Mar
includes taxes & fees
Stay at this cottage in Taralga. Enjoy laundry facilities, air conditioning and a living plant wall.
10/10 Exceptional! (58 reviews)
Great Host... Beautiful location... Lovely place for a family stay. Would definitely recommend...

Reviewed on 4 Mar 2026

Farmstay at Fleece, Flock & Fibre an historic railway station in Taralga
Canyonleigh Retreat

Canyonleigh Retreat

3.5 out of 5
Canyonleigh NSW
The price is €123 per night from 19 Mar to 20 Mar
€123
19 Mar - 20 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
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.
Farmstay at Fleece, Flock & Fibre an historic railway station in Taralga

Farmstay at Fleece, Flock & Fibre an historic railway station in Taralga

Taralga NSW
Stay at this cottage in Taralga. Enjoy laundry facilities, air conditioning and a living plant wall.
10/10 Exceptional! (58 reviews)
Great Host... Beautiful location... Lovely place for a family stay. Would definitely recommend...

Reviewed on 4 Mar 2026

Farmstay at Fleece, Flock & Fibre an historic railway station in Taralga
Cosy country stay in beautiful Berrima.

Cosy country stay in beautiful Berrima.

Berrima NSW
Stay at this family-friendly holiday home in Bowral. Enjoy free Wi-Fi, a garden and laundry facilities. Popular attractions Harper's Mansion and Berrima Gaol ...
9.8/10 Exceptional! (30 reviews)
Great house, great location and great amenities! We had a lovely stay, the kitchen had everything we needed for a night in, and the fire pit was awesome. Highly recommend for a group or family stay, our dog loved it too.

Reviewed on 1 Mar 2026

Cosy country stay in beautiful Berrima.
Crabapple Cottage -Lovely self contained cottage on Heritage property

Crabapple Cottage -Lovely self contained cottage on Heritage property

Berrima NSW
Stay at this cottage in Bowral. Enjoy free Wi-Fi, a garden and patios. Popular attractions Berrima District Historical & Family History Society Museum and Berrima ...
9.8/10 Exceptional! (202 reviews)
Loved the garden and the convenient location.Thoughtfully prepared space inside was a bonus!

Reviewed on 7 Mar 2026

Crabapple Cottage -Lovely self contained cottage on Heritage property
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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