Wombeyan Caves Tourism Project

Revitalising the Wombeyan Karst Conservation Reserve visitor precinct.

Lookout view Wombeyan Caves, part of The Greater Blue Mountains World Heritage Area Colong Sector Wombeyan Karst Conservation ReserveThis picturesque valley is located 190 kilometres south-west of Sydney. This special place, located on the traditional lands of the Gundungurra, Tharawal and Pejar people, is known for its remarkable karst formations and is also a destination for family holidaymakers and day visitors.

The Wombeyan Caves Tourism Project will revitalise Wombeyan Caves as a feature tourism destination in the Southern Highlands and Southern Tablelands regions of New South Wales.

The project will inspire visitors to explore the outstanding natural and cultural heritage of the caves and the surrounding regions. Situated within proximity of Sydney and Canberra, it will appeal to those seeking a day trip or short break in this unique destination.

Infrastructure upgrades will improve onsite accessibility and better support the range of accommodation (camping and cabins) and nature-based activities offered at Wombeyan Caves. Improved services and amenities will increase the site's potential for events appropriate to this location.

National Parks and Wildlife Service has worked with a specialist design team to develop the scope of works for the project. The works proposed for Wombeyan Caves will:

  • improve visitor arrival and safety, with upgrades to the on-park roads, improved parking arrangements including accessible parking, and upgrading wayfinding across the site
  • upgrade visitor facilities including improving the ticket office, kiosk, cafĂ© and amenities
  • improve accessibility from the day use area into Victoria Arch including a wheelchair-accessible viewing platform
  • improve accommodation by revitalising amenities, upgrading camping area facilities, and providing additional powered sites.

People visiting Fig Tree Cave, Wombeyan Karst Conservation ReserveThis $9.6 million project is funded through Restart NSW's Regional Growth – Environment and Tourism Fund.

The Wombeyan Karst Conservation Reserve visitor precinct works will occur from July 2022 until January 2023 (weather dependant). During this time, the visitor precinct will be closed to public access.

Works are not expected to impact the section of Wombeyan Caves Road that passes through the visitor precinct. Local councils manage this section of road and tourists can check road status on Live Traffic.

Visitors enjoying Victoria Arch walking track, Wombeyan Karst Conservation ReserveThe NSW Government is delivering its largest investment in national parks history with more than $450 million for over 200 visitor infrastructure projects across the State.

It builds on the $17.9 billion and 74,000 jobs national parks already contribute annually to the State's economy and is supporting NSW communities to recover in the wake of droughts, bushfires, floods, and the pandemic.

The Wombeyan Caves Tourism Project will revitalise and activate this iconic tourism asset in the Southern Highlands and Southern Tablelands regions, delivering economic benefits and increasing the site's ability to be financially sustainable.

Improving access and infrastructure for recreation, events and accommodation at Wombeyan Caves will provide jobs and opportunities for commercial operators and businesses to develop new visitor experiences and services.

People visiting Fig Tree cave, Wombeyan Karst Conservation ReserveThe Wombeyan Caves Tourism Project will protect the unique values of the reserve, including conservation of the karst system and provide for sustainable visitor use and enjoyment.

Environmentally sustainable design is an important criteria for this project. Protection of site values underpin the design of the proposed works and the way works will be conducted. Detailed design and assessment have been completed by specialist landscape architects, building architects, ecologists and engineers.

Detail is provided in the Wombeyan Caves Visitor Precinct Plan (December 2021) and the Wombeyan Karst Conservation Reserve Review of Environmental Factors and decision statement.

Tourist at the Visitor information Centre Wombeyan Karst Conservation ReservePlanning for this project has involved key stakeholders, including traditional owners, the local community, and other experts, to ensure the project delivers the visitor experiences, ecological and cultural heritage outcomes.

If you would like to receive updates on this project as it progresses, please register your interest below.

Wombeyan Caves tourism project

Project stakeholder news - July 2022.

  • 25 Jul 2022

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