Jenolan: Caves, heritage and karst

Jenolan brings together caves, heritage and karst landscapes in one destination. Its defining themes include guided tours through show caves, historic Jenolan Caves House and several tracks with different destinations. Together, they offer everything from a freestanding rock arch and lake views to river crossings, waterfalls and surface karst formations.

Building history and heritage

The present-day Jenolan Caves House opened in 1898 and is heritage-listed. The house contains one of only two surviving large dining rooms in Australia. Its rarity adds to the architectural significance of the house.

The Jenolan Caves Reserve is of state significance for its historic, aesthetic and scientific values, as well as its rarity. The two levels of significance differ: Caves House is a single heritage-listed building; the significance of the Reserve includes aesthetic and scientific values and rarity, in addition to historic values. Jenolan’s heritage therefore extends from a specific building to the qualities of the reserve.

Guided tours through show caves

Jenolan Caves offers guided tours through more than twelve unique show caves. The guided format and variety of caves offer a different focus from the outdoor tracks: the tours centre on the show caves themselves, while the tracks explore landscape features above ground. The 2026 closure affects current access to Jenolan Caves. Check which visits are possible before you travel.

Tracks between rock, water and forest

The Carlotta Arch walking track, Jenolan River walking track and McKeown's Valley walking track are currently closed for repairs until early 2027.

Currently closed for repairs until early 2027, the Carlotta Arch walking track reaches the freestanding Carlotta Arch and offers views of Blue Lake. The track is part of the Jenolan Caves network in the Greater Blue Mountains Area, a World Heritage Area.

Currently closed for repairs until early 2027, the Jenolan River walking track passes Blue Lake, waterfalls and bridges, bringing Jenolan’s hydroelectric heritage to life. A downstream detour reaches the old Jenolan Hydro Electric Power Station and a picnic area. The track also offers the chance to see the platypus that lives in the lake.

Currently closed for repairs until early 2027, the McKeown's Valley walking track crosses the Jenolan River and passes surface karst features, including a blind valley. The track, which is closed for repairs until early 2027, also leads into the open cave Devil's Coach House. A direct comparison of the three tracks, all closed for repairs until early 2027, highlights different landscape themes: Carlotta Arch combines a rock arch with lake views, the Jenolan River combines water with hydroelectric heritage, and McKeown's Valley combines a river crossing, karst formations and a cave.

Nature and conservation

Jenolan Caves is a nature reserve and a protected area for Australian wildlife. Along with the chance to see a platypus on the Jenolan River and the surface karst formations, nature is also one of the destination’s defining features.

Discover more destinations: Newrybar, Possum Brush, Wentworth, Cedar Creek, Central Coast, Scotts Head, Ryde, St Marys.

For the broader travel overview: New South Wales.