Wombeyan picnic area
Wombeyan Karst Conservation Reserve
Overview
Wombeyan picnic area is a shady spot for a lunch break during a day touring 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
Set by Wombeyan Creek and shaded by towering she-oaks, this picnic area is a lovely spot to take a break while touring the caves and the spectacular landscape in the area. You might even see some friendly kangaroos. Bring a picnic lunch or enjoy a barbecue.
After lunch, take a 5min stroll along Victoria Arch walking track to Victoria Arch. It is Fig Tree Cave’s final chamber, and has a viewing platform with spectacular views into one of Wombeyan’s largest caverns.
Also see
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Victoria Arch walking track
Victoria Arch walking track is a short, accessible walk in Wombeyan Karst Conservation Reserve. The easy bushwalk takes you to a viewing platform overlooking a remarkable natural rock formation.
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Kui Kiosk
Kui Kiosk is your one-stop-shop for cave tour tickets and tourist information at Wombeyan Karst Conservation Reserve.
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 Karst Conservation Reserve will remain closed as it is inaccessible while the local Council repairs flood damage along Wombeyan Caves Road from both directions. The road is now closed from both Mittagong and Taralga.
Road quality
- Mixture of sealed and unsealed roads
Vehicle access
- 2WD vehicles (no long vehicle access)
Parking
Parking is available at Kui Kiosk.
Best times to visit
There are lots of great things waiting for you in Wombeyan Karst Conservation Reserve. Here are some of the highlights.
Autumn
Visit now and you'll see the gorgeous changing colours of the trees. The warm days and cool nights make this an ideaI time for camping.
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 the coolness of the caves on a guided tour.
Winter
Take advantage of the cooler weather and book a weekend getaway at Wombeyan Caves cabins.
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)
Carpark
Drinking water
Public phone
There is a public phone available next to the onsite office. The phone accepts both coins and phone cards.
Step-free access
The picnic area has:
- Step-free outdoor pathways
- No slopes greater than 1:14
- Paths are concrete
Maps and downloads
Accessibility
Disability access level - medium
Assistance may be required to access this area.
The picnic area has:
- Step-free outdoor pathways
- No slopes greater than 1:14
- Paths are concrete
Prohibited
Drones
Flying a drone for recreational purposes is prohibited in this area. Drones may affect public enjoyment, safety and privacy, interfere with park operations, or pose a threat to wildlife. See the Drones in Parks policy.
This area may be a declared Drone Exclusion Zone, or may be subject to Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA) rules for flying near airports, aerodromes and helicopter landing sites. See CASA's Drone Flyer Rules.
Commercial filming and photography
Commercial filming or photography is prohibited without prior consent. You must apply for permission and contact the local office.
Gathering firewood
Firewood may not be collected from the park, so you'll need to bring your own supply.
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 lands 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 story of Gurangatch 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 is home to superb lyrebirds, eastern whipbirds and flycatchers – look for lyrebird scratches on the forest floor. Around the park's rocky outcrops, see if you can spy 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 – they stay very still and upright, and you might mistake them as part of the branch they're perched on.
- Victoria Arch walking track Victoria Arch walking track is a short, accessible walk in Wombeyan Karst Conservation Reserve. The easy bushwalk takes you to a viewing platform overlooking a remarkable natural rock formation.
On show
The limestone in the caves of Wombeyan Karst Conservation Reserve is 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 cave tour to find out more about the history and geology of the caves.
- Dennings Labyrinth Dennings Labyrinth in Wombeyan Karst Conservation Reserve is currently closed to the public. Visitors will be advised when the cave reopens for tours.
- Fig Tree Cave Be sure to take a 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 Victoria Arch walking track is a short, accessible walk in Wombeyan Karst Conservation Reserve. The easy bushwalk takes you to a viewing platform overlooking a remarkable natural rock formation.
Plants and animals protected in this park
Animals
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Eastern bentwing-bat (Miniopterus schreibersii oceanensis)
Eastern bentwing-bats congregate in caves across the east and north-west coasts of Australia, in colonies of up to 150,000. 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.
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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.
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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.
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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.