Wombeyan picnic area

Wombeyan Karst Conservation Reserve

Affected by closures, check current alerts 

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.

For directions, safety and practical information, see visitor info

Map


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Current alerts in this area

There are no current alerts in this area.

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

Park info

See more visitor info

Visitor info

All the practical information you need to know about the Wombeyan picnic area.

Getting there and parking

Get driving directions

Get 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

    Safety messages

    Fire safety

    During periods of fire weather, the Commissioner of the NSW Rural Fire Service may declare a total fire ban for particular NSW fire areas, or statewide. Learn more about total fire bans and fire safety.

    Mobile safety

    Dial Triple Zero (000) in an emergency. Download the Emergency Plus app before you visit, it helps emergency services locate you using your smartphone's GPS. Please note there is limited mobile phone reception in this park and you’ll need mobile reception to call Triple Zero (000).

    River and lake safety

    The aquatic environment around rivers, lakes and lagoons can be unpredictable. If you're visiting these areas, take note of these river and lake safety tips.

    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

    Rocky cliffs of Wombeyan Karst Conservation Reserve. Photo: Kevin McGrath

    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

    The mountains and forests of Wombeyan Karst Conservation Reserve. Photo: Stephen Babbka

    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

    Reflected waters of Coronation cave, Wombeyan Karst Conservation Reserve. Photo: Steve Babka

    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. Photo: Ken Stepnell

      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. Photo: Keith Gillett

      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.

    • Brush tail possum. Photo: Ken Stepnell

      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.

    • Eastern common ringtail possum. Photo: Ken Stepnell

      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.

    Environments in this park

    Education resources (1)