Fast facts
- Australia’s most spectacular limestone caves
- Part of the World Heritage Greater Blue Mountains Area
- 177 km west of Sydney, 74 km from Katoomba
Why go there
Jenolan Caves are, without question, Australia’s most impressive limestone caves. Open to the public are nine show caves with spectacular lighting, underground rivers and cave formations that amaze visitors.
The complex system is one of the largest underground cave systems in the world. Only recently it was proclaimed the oldest open cave system in the world.
History
In 1838, James McKeown, an escaped convict and bushranger, became the first European to enter the caves when he used them as a hideaway.
James Whalan saw the opening to the caves in 1840, but it was his brother Charles who eventually discovered the breadth of the system.
The fame of the caves spread, and early tourists took away quite a bit of the ancient limestone.
The precinct was named Jenolan Caves in 1884; in the local Aboriginal language the name means 'high mountain'.
Visiting the caves in the early days was a primitive experience: candles provided the only light and visitors staying overnight had to sleep on the damp ground beneath the Grand Arch.
Things to do
- If you only have time for one tour, visit the Lucas, Imperial or Chifley caves. The Lucas Cave is the longest of the tours while the one-hour Imperial Cave is the easiest.
- For a popular two-cave combination, visit Lucas Cave followed by the Orient Cave. The highest and widest chambers are in the Lucas Cave while the Orient has delicate crystalline decorations.
Events
- Carols by Candlelight at Christmas is an unforgettable event because of the superb acoustics.
- Jenolan Caves Concerts Series, performed throughout the year in the Lucas Cave's Cathedral Chamber.
Don’t miss
- Afternoon tea at historic Jenolan Caves House, an architectural beauty from a bygone era.
- Starting a major bushwalk on the Six Foot Track from Jenolan Caves to Katoomba.
- Stopping at lookouts along the winding road from the caves to photograph the rugged scenery.
- Getting goosebumps on a ghost tour in the caves.
