Wombeyan picnic area
Wombeyan Karst Conservation Reserve
Overview
Wombeyan picnic area is a shady spot for lunch during a day exploring the caves at Wombeyan Karst Conservation Reserve.
- Type
- Picnic areas
- Accessibility
- Medium
- What to
bring - Hat, sunscreen, drinking water
- Please note
- There is limited mobile reception in this park
- Remember to take your binoculars if you want to go birdwatching
Your lunch guests could be some friendly kangaroos at Wombeyan picnic area. Set by Wombeyan Creek and shaded by towering she-oaks, it’s a lovely spot to take a break while you’re exploring the caves and spectacular landscape in the area.
Bring your own supplies for the barbecues, or grab a snack and some drinks at the kiosk in Wombeyan Karst Conservation Reserve Visitor Centre, where you can also buy tickets for cave tours.
Victoria Arch is just a five-minute walk away, or you could follow Mares Forest Creek walking track, where you can have a swim on the way to Tinted Cave.
Map
Map legend
Local alerts
For the latest updates on fires, closures and other alerts in this area, see https://www.nationalparks.nsw.gov.au/things-to-do/picnic-areas/wombeyan-picnic-area/local-alerts
General enquiries
- National Parks Contact Centre
- 7am to 7pm daily
- 1300 072 757 (13000 PARKS) for the cost of a local call within Australia excluding mobiles
- parks.info@environment.nsw.gov.au
Park info
- in Wombeyan Karst Conservation Reserve in the Country NSW region
Wombeyan Karst Conservation Reserve is always open but may have to close at times due to poor weather or fire danger.
Visitor info
All the practical information you need to know about the Wombeyan picnic area.
Getting there and parking
Get driving directions
Wombeyan picnic area is adjacent to Wombeyan Karst Conservation Reserve Visitor Centre.
Road quality
- Unsealed roads
Vehicle access
- 2WD vehicles
Weather restrictions
- All weather
Parking
Parking is available at Wombeyan Karst Conservation Reserve Visitor Centre.
Best times to visit
There are lots of great things waiting for you in Wombeyan Karst Conservation Reserve. Here are some of the highlights.
Spring
While the caves can be visited all year round, a trip to Wombeyan in spring is well timed to catch wildflowers in full bloom.
Summer
A great time for a weekend camping trip - pitch your tent, enjoy breakfast cooked on the barbecue and beat the heat with a dip in a natural swimming hole.
Winter
Take advantage of the cooler weather and book a weekend getaway at the historic Post Office Cottage. The wood heater will keep you warm all night.
Weather, temperature and rainfall
Summer temperature
Average
13°C and 26°C
Highest recorded
38.8°C
Winter temperature
Average
1°C and 11°C
Lowest recorded
-9.6°C
Rainfall
Wettest month
June
Driest month
April
The area’s highest recorded rainfall in one day
174.2mm
Facilities
You’re encouraged to bring gas or fuel stoves, especially in summer during the fire season.
Amenities
Toilets
- Flush toilets
Picnic tables
Barbecue facilities
- Gas/electric barbecues (coin-operated)
- Fire rings (bring your own firewood)
Cafe/kiosk
Carpark
Drinking water
Public phone
Maps and downloads
Accessibility
Disability access level - medium
- Assistance may be required to access this area
Prohibited
Gathering firewood
Firewood is not supplied and may not be collected from the park.
Pets
Pets and domestic animals (other than certified assistance animals) are not permitted. Find out which regional parks allow dog walking and see the pets in parks policy for more information.
Smoking
NSW national parks are no smoking areas.
Learn more
Wombeyan picnic area is in Wombeyan Karst Conservation Reserve. Here are just some of the reasons why this park is special:
Aboriginal connections
Wombeyan Karst Conservation Reserve is located within the traditional land of the Gundungurra People, with the word Wombeyan coming from local language meaning 'grassy valley between mountains'. It's believed that Wombeyan Caves were part of an Aboriginal travel route that coincided with seasonal availability of food and the caves may have provided reliable shelter. The Dreamtime myth of Gurrangatch relates to the forming of Wombeyan and Jenolan Caves. The caves are said to have been formed during a contest between Gurangatch, a mythical being that was part fish and part reptile, and Mirragan, a legendary tiger cat.
Life in the air
Wombeyan Karst Conservation Reserve plays a special role in the conservation of some of Australia's precious native flora and fauna. The moist forest that surrounds the park's creeks are home to superb lyrebirds, the eastern whipbirds and flycatchers; look for lyrebird scratches around on the forest floor. Keep your eyes in the sky around the park's rocky outcrops for birds of prey, including brown goshawks and wedge tailed eagles. You'll have to look particularly carefully to see a tawny frogmouth; their camouflage is excellent- staying very still and upright- you might mistake them as part of the branch.
- Mares Forest Creek walking track Tracking through a marble karst area along a stream, Mares Forest Creek walking track in Wombeyan Karst Conservation Area takes you to Tinted Cave.
- Victoria Arch walking track A short walk on Victoria Arch walking track, in Wombeyan Karst Conservation Reserve, takes visitors through the bush to a remarkable natural formation.
On show
The limestone caves of Wombeyan Karst Conservation Reserve are between 400 and 430 million years old. The geological processes that have created the magnificent cave system you see today continue to work their magic; you'll notice the impressive cave decorations including stalactites and stalagmites that are created by the infiltration of water into the caves. Take a guided Discovery tour to find out more about the history and geology of the caves.
- Dennings Labyrinth Explore Dennings Labyrinth in Wombeyan Karst Conservation Reserve on this thrilling guided tour of the spectacular underground cave system.
- Fig Tree Cave Be sure to take the self-guided tour of the impressive Fig Tree Cave while you’re at Wombeyan Karst Conservation Reserve. The cave decorations are a sight to see.
- Victoria Arch walking track A short walk on Victoria Arch walking track, in Wombeyan Karst Conservation Reserve, takes visitors through the bush to a remarkable natural formation.
Plants and animals you may see
Animals
-
Eastern bentwing-bat (Miniopterus schreibersii oceanensis)
In colonies numbering up to 150,000, eastern bentwing-bats congregate in caves across the east and north-west coasts of Australia. These small Australian animals weigh around 13-17g and can reach speeds of up to 50km per hour. Eastern bentwing-bats use both sight and echolocation to catch small insects mid-air.
-
Bare-nosed wombat (Vombatus ursinus)
A large, squat marsupial, the Australian bare-nosed wombat is a burrowing mammal found in coastal forests and mountain ranges across NSW and Victoria. The only other remaining species of wombat in NSW, the endangered southern hairy-nosed wombat, was considered extinct until relatively recently.
-
Common brushtail possum (Trichosurus vulpecula)
One of the most widespread of Australian tree-dwelling marsupials, the common brushtail possum is found across most of NSW in woodlands, rainforests and urban areas. With strong claws, a prehensile tail and opposable digits, these native Australian animals are well-adapted for life amongst the trees.
-
Common ringtail possum (Pseudocheirus peregrinus)
Commonly found in forests, woodlands and leafy gardens across eastern NSW, the Australian ringtail possum is a tree-dwelling marsupial. With a powerful tail perfectly adapted to grasp objects, it forages in trees for eucalypt leaves, flowers and fruit.