Limestone Caves walking track
Kwiambal National Park
Overview
Limestone Caves walking track is a short, easy walk in Kwiambal National Park, near Ashford. It’s popular with families keen to explore the caves, spot the local bats and enjoy a picnic.
- 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.
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/walking-tracks/limestone-caves-walking-track/local-alerts
Park info
- in Kwiambal National Park in the Country NSW region
Kwiambal National Park 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 Limestone Caves walking track.
Track grading
Features of this track
Distance
0.6km return
Time
5 - 15min
Quality of markings
Clearly sign posted
Gradient
Flat
Steps
Occasional steps
Quality of path
Formed track
Getting there and parking
Limestone Caves walking track is on the southern edge of Kwiambal National Park.
To get there from Ashford:
- Take Wallangra Road northwest
- Turn right onto Sandy Creek Road
- Turn left onto Limestone Road and continue into Kwiambal National Park
- Turn right onto Limestone Cave Road and continue to the carpark.
Road quality
- Check the weather and road conditions before setting out. The road to this walking track can become boggy when it rains.
- Please drive carefully and look out for wildlife.
- Unsealed roads
Vehicle access
- 2WD vehicles
Weather restrictions
- All weather
Parking
Parking is available on Limestone Cave Road, where this walking track starts.
Facilities
- There’s no drinking water so you’ll need to bring your own supply.
- Rubbish bins are not available, so please take your rubbish with you when you leave.
Toilets
Toilets and picnic table are available at the end of the walk, near the entrance to the caves.
- Non-flush toilets
Picnic tables
Carpark
Maps and downloads
Accessibility
Disability access level - hard
Wheelchairs can access this area with some difficulty.
Prohibited
Camp fires and solid fuel burners
Camping
Camping is not permitted along this walking track. Please camp at designated campgrounds.
Gathering firewood
Generators
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
Limestone Caves walking track is in Kwiambal National Park. Here are just some of the reasons why this park is special:
Aboriginal cultural heritage
Kwiambal takes its name from the aboriginal people of the Ashford district. Rich in food, water and materials, the area provided a year-round living environment for their ancestors, with sacred sites and hunting grounds spread throughout the park.
Animals
There are five rare or threatened plant species in the park: severn wattle, Rodd’s star hair, caustic vine, daisy bush and toadflax. Feel free to look, but please be careful not to damage the plants. In the warmer months of September to March, the wildflowers bloom throughout the bush. Like its flowers, Kwiambal is home to dozens of notable animal species, including 32 types of reptile, 11 frogs, and 30 species of mammal. Some 18 species are threatened or endangered, including koalas, squirrel gliders, and five-clawed worm skinks. There are also an astonishing 101 types of bird, making the park a hot spot for avid birders. Keep an eye out for painted honeyeaters, barking owls, hooded robins, and diamond firetails.
- Dungeon lookout Where Severn River enters a steep gorge, you’ll find The Dungeon, with this lookout offering superb views down into the swell, particularly after rain.
- Limestone Caves walking track Limestone Caves walking track is a short, easy walk in Kwiambal National Park, near Ashford. It’s popular with families keen to explore the caves, spot the local bats and enjoy a picnic.
- Macintyre Falls lookout Adjacent to a well-equipped picnic area, Macintyre Falls lookout offers scenic views over the river, with nearby swimming, hiking and fishing opportunities.
- Slippery Rock walking track Slippery Rock walking track in Kwiambal National Park, near Inverell, offers spectacular gorge views as well as fishing, birdwatching and vibrant wildflowers in spring.
Historic heritage
The flat areas of the park have been subjected to farming of tobacco, giving way to cereal crops and the mining of various minerals and sapphires. Unsurprisingly then, there are a number of historical landmarks within the park, including tobacco-drying sheds, woolsheds, fruit trees, storage sheds, and the remains of a house. History enthusiasts will want to seek these out on a visit.
Native rainforest
Kwiambal contains 15 per cent of the native dry rainforest left in NSW. The vegetation is dominated by white cypress pines, silver-leaved ironbarks, and tumbledown gums. Unfortunately, much of the planning area has been subjected to logging in the past, though considerable regeneration makes it a worthy destination for nature-lovers.
- Dungeon lookout Where Severn River enters a steep gorge, you’ll find The Dungeon, with this lookout offering superb views down into the swell, particularly after rain.
- Junction walk Junction walk offers a stroll through ironbarks and pine trees to the meeting of Severn and Macintyre rivers, with swimming, picnicking, and birdwatching opportunities.
- Limestone Caves walking track Limestone Caves walking track is a short, easy walk in Kwiambal National Park, near Ashford. It’s popular with families keen to explore the caves, spot the local bats and enjoy a picnic.
- Macintyre Falls lookout Adjacent to a well-equipped picnic area, Macintyre Falls lookout offers scenic views over the river, with nearby swimming, hiking and fishing opportunities.
- Slippery Rock walking track Slippery Rock walking track in Kwiambal National Park, near Inverell, offers spectacular gorge views as well as fishing, birdwatching and vibrant wildflowers in spring.