Wombeyan Caves, located in the Wombeyan Karst Conservation Reserve, are a popular tourist attraction and local holiday area in the Southern Highlands.
They can be accessed via the Wombeyan Caves Road from either Mittagong or the Goulburn-Oberon Road. The road west of the reserve offers spectacular views but is rough with many curves and narrow stretches.
The caves are located on the traditional lands of the Burra Burra clan of the Gandangara people. While no evidence of Indigenous occupation of the caves has been found, Indigenous tool making artifacts dating back 6,000 to 14,000 years have been discovered in the reserve. The individual caverns inside the Wombeyan complex have Gandangara names given by Charles Chalker, the first government-appointed caretaker of the caves.
The Wombeyan Caves reserve has been protected since 1865 and offers camping grounds, a kiosk, a public phone, a kitchen, and other public facilities. Park rangers are available to collect camping fees, ensure visitor safety, protect the local flora and fauna, and address any visitor questions or complaints.
Visitors to Wombeyan Caves can explore the Victoria Arch cave, Fig Tree Cave, Junction Cave, Wollondilly Cave, Mulwaree Cave, and Kooringa Cave. The area also features a creek, waterfall, and smaller caves within the extensive forest.
The reserve is home to several endangered species, including wallabies, birds, possums,