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!
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.

The Annual Vacation Sale

Members save up to 40% on hotels and homes. Plan this year’s big trip and save.
Berrima Bakehouse Motel

Berrima Bakehouse Motel

3.5 out of 5
19 Old Hume Highway Berrima NSW
$128 nightly
The price is $141 total per night from Feb 27 to Feb 28
$141 total
Feb 27 - Feb 28
Total with taxes and fees
Stay at this motel in Bowral. Enjoy free WiFi, a garden, and a picnic area. Our guests praise the helpful staff and the clean rooms in our reviews. Popular attractions ...
9.4/10 Exceptional! (1,006 reviews)
Always a pleasure to stay here close eat outs and lovely rooms

Reviewed on Feb 22, 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
$121 nightly
The price is $121 total per night from Mar 1 to Mar 2
$121 total
Mar 1 - Mar 2
Total with taxes and fees
Stay at this cottage in Taralga. Enjoy laundry facilities, air conditioning, and a living plant wall.
10/10 Exceptional! (56 reviews)
Great stay welcoming and very comfortable

Reviewed on Feb 17, 2026

Farmstay at Fleece, Flock & Fibre an historic railway station in Taralga
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 WiFi, a garden, and patios. Popular attractions Berrima District Historical & Family History Society Museum and Berrima ...
9.8/10 Exceptional! (200 reviews)
The host was very welcoming, the room was clean and tidy, the grounds were enjoyable to relax on. I very much enjoyed my stay.

Reviewed on Feb 22, 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.
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! (56 reviews)
Great stay welcoming and very comfortable

Reviewed on Feb 17, 2026

Farmstay at Fleece, Flock & Fibre an historic railway station in Taralga
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 WiFi, a garden, and patios. Popular attractions Berrima District Historical & Family History Society Museum and Berrima ...
9.8/10 Exceptional! (200 reviews)
The host was very welcoming, the room was clean and tidy, the grounds were enjoyable to relax on. I very much enjoyed my stay.

Reviewed on Feb 22, 2026

Crabapple Cottage -Lovely self contained cottage on Heritage property
Daphne cottage - Heritage two storey 2 bedroom cottage in Historical Berrima

Daphne cottage - Heritage two storey 2 bedroom cottage in Historical Berrima

Berrima NSW
Stay at this vacation home in Bowral. Enjoy free WiFi, balconies, and an in-room coffeemaker. Popular attractions Berrima District Historical & Family History ...
9.6/10 Exceptional! (71 reviews)
Location is excellent for walking to restaurants and winery in Berrima. Phil and Annie very friendly and welcoming, including putting up t he sun umbrella and outdoor chair cushions so we could enjoy a board game in the lovely backyard. Lots of birds to watch too.

Reviewed on Jan 14, 2026

Daphne cottage - Heritage two storey 2 bedroom cottage in Historical Berrima
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.

Popular places to visit

Things to do

Explore a world of travel with Expedia