Limestone Caves walking track

Where

Kwiambal National Park in Country NSW

Accessibility

Hard

Distance

0.6km return

Time suggested

5 - 15min

Grade

Grade 2

Opening times

September to October and March to April. Restricted access during summer breeding and winter hibernation seasons.

What to
bring

Raincoat, drinking water, sturdy shoes, hat, sunscreen, snacks, suitable clothing, torch

Please note

• Please limit exploration to the first 50m of the caves.
• Beyond 50m access is restricted as the caves narrow and ground is uneven, the bats are easily disturbed and it’s easy to get lost.
• The Main Cave can be smelly and messy with bat droppings (guano) and urine, which can expose you to infection.
• Please help us protect these endangered species by keeping noise and light disturbance to a minimum.
• It’s completely dark in the caves, so remember to bring a torch.

This gentle 300m walking track takes you through open woodland and ironbark forest to Limestone Caves. The caves were once a mining site for bat droppings, a low-grade fertiliser. Today, they’re a protected breeding site for the rare large bent-wing bat and eastern horseshoe bat.

Switch on your torch and quietly explore a short way into the maze of tunnels to the Main Cave. The effects of mining and guano mean there are only a few cave decorations intact. Fossilised bones of ancient kangaroos and pygmy possums have been found in and around the caves, dating between 30,000 and 2 million years old.

There are toilets and a picnic area near the caves' entrance, making this spot popular with school groups and cave enthusiasts. On the way back to your car, keep an eye out for eastern grey kangaroos and emus. You’ll also see native birds among the cypress pines, including the spiny-cheeked honeyeater and diamond firetail.

After your underground adventure, drive to Macintyre Falls lookout and picnic area for stunning views of a waterfall in the deep granite gorge, and the nearby natural plunge pool. Base yourself at Lemon Tree Flat campground or Kookibitta campground to explore more.

For directions, safety and practical information, see visitor info