Never fear, your dreams of doing some authentically outdoorsy things in Sydney are about to come true. We're talking caves—and not the rave kind. NSW is a state rich with caves to explore and many, luckily enough, are close enough to Sydney so you can easily knock them out over your weekend.
Alright, got your map? Your hat? Your headlight? A keen sense of adventure? Here are the best caves to explore near Sydney, according to Urban List.
Editor's note: Remember to exercise caution when exploring caves. Be sure to check any alerts and closures on the NSW National Parks website and weather warnings via the Bureau of Meteorology.
Now Open: Wombeyan Caves
Mares Forest National Park
Image credit: NSW National Parks and Wildlife Service | Supplied
Stalactites, stalagmites, helictites, cave coral, breathtaking caverns, and even underwater lakes—Wombeyan Caves have it all. And, after a $9.6 million upgrade, the caves and surrounding camping grounds have reopened to the public and are ready to explore.
Wombeyan Caves reside on Gundungurra Land within a secluded valley on the NSW Southern Tablelands. The word “Wombeyan” translates from the local language into "grassy valley between mountains”.
Home to some of the state's most impressive cave systems—and ancient rock formations dating back more than 430 million years—there are four main caves to see. Guided tours are available for the Wollondilly, Kooringa, and Mulwaree caves, and a self-guided, family-friendly tour is available for the Fig Tree Cave.
The 2024 upgrade of the caves also includes a new wheelchair-friendly viewing platform at the Victoria Arch near the Fig Tree Cave. More information is here.
Jenolan Caves
Jenolan Caves Road, Jenolan (Blue Mountains)
Image credit: Jenolan Caves | Destination NSW
Jenolan Caves are some of Australia's most famous caves. They're also some of the largest and, perhaps most impressive of all, they're considered to be the oldest known and dated cave system in the world. Oh, and they're also where you'll find this
For thousands of years, First Nations people from various clans would come to the Jenolan Caves to bathe in the pools of Nadyung and it was the people from the Gundungurra and Darug tribes that believed this water hosted strong healing powers.
The Jenolan Caves organisation hosts a range of tours from easy going strolls (with 260 steps) to strenous cave exploring (1,100 steps). You can also book night tours and custom tours, if you're keen to go all out. More information is here.
Palona Caves
Royal National Park
Filled with stalagmites and stalactites, Palona Caves are only about an hour from inner-city Sydney in the stunning Royal National Park. We won’t spoil things too much, but let’s just say if you like waterfalls, you’re going to love it here.
To find the caves, follow the 17km out-and-back bush trail, which is a proper half-day hike peppered with plenty of gems and forest scenery along the way. Check out AllTrails for more details on the hike
Caves Beach
Lake Macquarie
Image credit: Caves Beach | Destination NSW
Now for some sea caves! Up in Lake Macquarie, Caves Beach is a pretty stretch of sand with one extra special detail—the cliff at the southern end has been hollowed out and, at low tide, a beautiful wide open cave appears.
Caves Beach falls on Awabakal land. The beach and cave area here used to be known as The Plains and there's evidence that the Awabakal People used this area to collect resin, used in spear-making.
Safety-wise, the Caves Beach cave is only accessible at low tide. So, unless you want to get yourself in a tricky situation, make sure you play it safe and check the tides. More information about Caves Beach is here.
The Glow Worm Tunnel
Wollemi National Park (Blue Mountains)
Image credit: Glow Worm Tunnel | Destination NSW
Close to Lithgow, the Glow Worm Tunnel is an easy and favourite adventure among many Sydneysiders. As for its history, this area has connections to the Wiradjuri, Dharug, Wanaruah, and Darkinjung people. The tunnel itself is an old railway tunnel.
You can access the Glow Worm Tunnel via the aptly named Glow Worm Tunnel Track, which should take approximately one to two hours there and back). It is completely dark inside so you'll need to bring a big torch. The tunnel spans about 400 metres and is home to thousands of glow worms that emit a beautiful bioluminescent blue light. More information is here.
You might also like:
- The Best Natural Wonders To Visit In NSW
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Yarrangobilly Caves
Kosciuszko National Park
Image credit: Yarrangobilly Caves | Destination NSW
Yarrangobilly Caves is probably most famous for its spectacular natural hot spring pool. Deep in the Kosciuszko National Park, it's a decent drive from Sydney (about five hours), but it's well worth the journey.
As well as the hot springs, there are six stunning limestone caves to explore dating back 440 million years. You'll see soda straw stalactites as well as rare black and grey flowstones and the famous four-metre-long Cleopatra’s Needle stalagmite. You'll need to book a guided tour for most caves, except for the South Glory Cave, which you can navigate on your own. More information is here.
Red Hands Cave
Blue Mountains National Park
Image credit: Red Hands Cave | Destination NSW
This magical cave is adorned with Aboriginal rock art, most notably sets of ochre handprints, thought to have been painted between 500 and 1,600 years ago. The artwork is considered to be some of the best in the Blue Mountains, with vibrant reds and yellows still showing in a vivid collage on the cave wall.
To access Red Hands Cave, follow the 8km Red Hands Cave loop—a track likely used by Indigenous peoples for many thousands of years. Keep an eye out for water dragons and grinding grooves near Campfire Creek. More information is here.
For more amazing adventures, check out:
- The Best Hikes Around Sydney And NSW
- The Best National Parks Near Sydney
- The Best Tiny Homes In NSW For An Off-Grid Adventure
Image credit: Wombeyan Caves | NSW National Parks and Wildlife Service
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