Jenolan Caves

Mysterious Jenolan Caves, symbol of beauty, adventure, and escape.

For many years, researchers suspected that Jenolan Caves was extremely old. In 2006, the CSIRO solved the mystery, establishing that the caves are the world's oldest known open caves - 340 million years old. Once hidden and remote, more than 400 caves have been discovered at Jenolan since 1830. Their full extent is the subject of ongoing exploration.
 

Nature Reserve in World Heritage area

Above ground, there are spectacular formations, such as Carlotta's Arch, the Blue Lake and Jenolan River. It costs you nothing to stroll along Jenolan's bush tracks and maybe spot shy native wildlife, such as wallabies and platypus. Jenolan is in National Park, on the western edge of the Blue Mountains World Heritage area, teaming with native animals, mostly nocternal.
 

Explore the Spectacular Caves

In spite of the beauty above ground, people mostly visit Jenolan to experience the awe-inspiring caves. Underground, with daily guided tours, most visitors can experience any of the 8 spectacular show caves with their breathtaking formations and rivers.

Each of Jenolan's caves is different. For instance, the Lucas cave has the Cathedral Chamber, one of the widest and highest at Jenolan. With famous acoustics, the Cathedral frequently hosts weddings. The Temple of Baal cave, featuring a unique sound and light show, offers one of the world's largest cave shawls. The Orient is one of the most beautiful caves in the world, richly draped with colourful formations. For the less mobile, the Imperial cave is the easiest, with the fewest stair steps. There are many more caves, each offering amazing features.

With so many caves, you can experience the underworld in a range of ways.

Try exploring Jenolan's mysterious depths with Adventure Caving. Abseil, squeeze and climb through undeveloped caves, with only a head lamp to light your way. There are a range of adventure caving activities, suitable for novices to veterans.

If you prefer exploring at your own pace, we have a multi lingual digital audio tour of the Nettle Cave, which allows exploration on a self-guided basis. This tour is fantastic for those who don't like enclosed spaces!

In this place of haunting beauty, Legends, Mysteries and Ghosts tour will make you shiver to tales of the unexplained. 
 

Range of Accommodation

Because there is so much to do at Jenolan Caves, some visitors stay several nights. Caves House built in 1896, is one of few remaining guesthouses of the Victorian era.

We offer a range of accommodation from the old-world ambience of Caves House itself, to the modern, motel-style Mountain Lodge to the backpacker lodge and self-contained cottages.

Caves House features the magnificent, award-winning restaurant, Chisolms, which dates back to the beginning of the 20th century. The Caves Cafe offers al fresco dining throughout the day.

Jenolan is a great base from which to experience the Western Blue Mountains and the Central West.

From Sydney, take the M4 Motorway travelling west through the Blue Mountains, Katoomba and Mt. Victoria on the Great Western Highway. Shortly after Victoria Pass, the Jenolan Caves turnoff is just past the village of Hartley. Turning left, this road passes through Hampton and finally Jenolan Caves.

Once you are west of Katoomba, the trip offers spectacular scenery on an all sealed road that can be completed comfortably in 2½ hours from Parramatta.

Please note when planning your trip, the last section of the road into the Jenolan Valley is one way from 11.45am to 1.45pm everyday. Visitors can leave Jenolan during these times via the Oberon Road which is now fully sealed.

There is no fuel at Jenolan. When travelling from Sydney the last service station is at Mount Victoria or Lithgow. When travelling from Bathurst, the last service station is at Oberon or Bathurst. There is no camping ground at Jenolan. You can leave your caravan at Lithgow or Oberon. Jenolan Caves is in National Park (Blue Mountains World Heritage Area), so please do not bring any pets with you.