Yarrangobilly Caves

PLACES TO STAY
Experience the tranquility of the picturesque Yarrangobilly
Valley in comfort. Choose from your own lovingly restored
self-contained wing, or individual room, of historic Yarrangobilly
Caves House. Enjoy your evenings with a relaxing drink on the
verandah, gazing across views of the limestone bluffs.
N
To Gundagai
and Hume
Highway
CANBERRA
TUMUT
Rock Flat
Log Bridge Creek
erlin
w
Po
d
ng
Lo
Talbingo
Buddong Reservoir
Falls
Yarrangobilly
Coonara Point
Bridge Lobb’s
Hole
out
(Ravine)
Elliot Way
CABRAMURRA
m
Tu
gs
Cro
ss
ut
Manjar/Black
Jack trails
Four
Mile
Trail
Denison
Tr
g
Historic Caves House
ADAMINABY
Rd
iver
Tum
SH
ive
r
r
ive
nR
iR
Gungarlin
Bridge
eh
Ge
Major Clews’ Hut
Geehi Dam
Scammell
Spur
Lookout
lls
Geehi Wa
Geehi
Reservoir
C
To
Sawpit Creek
Lake
Jindabyne
rra
be
an
Island Bend
Tr
Behr’s Flat/Keeble’s Hut
Y
WA
arli
IGH
ng
Mt Jagungal
KHANCOBAN
Old Geehi/YHA Hut
AIN
NT
Gu
Bradney’s Gap
Khancoban
Pondage
OU
Lake
Eucumbene
ut R
Ye
ll
Ogilvie’s
Creek
YM
Tooma
Reservoir
Bradley’s/O’Brien’s Hut
OW
Clover Flat
SN
ow
Tr
Greg Greg Tr
If you after a modern eco-cottage tucked away in bushland,
where ‘going bush’ doesn’t mean going without, Lyrebird
Cottage offers all the creature comforts of home with none of
the distractions
SHANNON’S
FLAT
ADAMINABY
nd
Bo
Goodradigbee
(Old Snowy)
Camp
Rocky Plain
Po
Tumut
Pond
Blue Waterholes
KIANDRA
Three Mile
Dam
SELWYN SNOWFIELDS
Kin
Cooleman Mountain
Coolamine Homestead
Bullock Hill
Wares Yards
Wallaces Creek
Lookout
O’Hare’s
Cooinbil Hut
Long Plain Hut
Po
Currango
rt
Ph
Homestead
illi
p
Tr
Ghost
Gully
Tantangara
Bullock Reservoir
Hill Trail
YARRANGOBILLY
CAVES
TUMBARUMBA
Broken Cart
ndra
Goo
Black Perry
barr
aga
Jounama Creek
TALBINGO
Kosciuszko National Park
Tr
Yolde
Kosciuszko
National Park
rt
Old Yachting Point
Dubbo Flats
Ca
Hume’s Crossing
BATLOW
en
ok
Br
r
eT
The Pines
Pla
in R
ADELONG
COOMA
BERRIDALE
Thredbo River
Geehi
JINDABYNE
Mt Kosciuszko
Thredbo
Diggings
Dead
Horse
Gap
Tom Groggin
Y
RR
AY
W
NIMMITABEL
BA
Leatherbarrel
Creek
s
ob
c
Ja
River
yR
rra
er
Riv
Mu
ch
Snowy
ive
r
er
Riv
Pin
Half-way Flat
Wallace
Craigie
Lookout
Photography: Murray Vanderveer
Lyrebird Cottage
Jacob’s River
SAFETY INFORMATION
Many NSW parks are remote and rugged places, weather
can change quickly and conditions in the bush or on the
water may be unpredictable. When visiting a national
park, be aware of the risks and take responsibility for your
own safety and the safety of any children in your care.
Remember to plan ahead, choose your walks and activities
to match your stamina and fitness level, and tell someone
where you’re going and when you’ll be back.
For more information about staying safe in parks visit
www.environment.nsw.gov.au/parksafety
Yarrangobilly
Caves
OTHER OPTIONS
There is no camping at Yarrangobilly Caves but for those
wanting to sleep under the stars, there are camping grounds
nearby at Yarrangobilly Village or Three Mile Dam.
TO FIND OUT MORE
For further information or to make a booking, call Yarrangobilly
Caves Visitor Centre 02 6454 9597,
For on-line Caves House bookings call 13000 72757
or visit:
nationalparks.nsw.gov.au/kosciuszko-national-park/
yarrangobilly-caves-house/accommodation
Home to some of the most beautiful caves
in Australia, the opportunities are endless at
Yarrangobilly. The whole family will love exploring
underground followed by a dip in the thermal pool,
keen bushwalkers will appreciate the shady trails
and summer wildflowers and bird watchers will enjoy
waking to the sounds of birdsong. Yarrangobilly
Caves also boasts some accommodation options
worth the visit alone – close to Selwyn Snowfields.
ABOUT THE AREA
Explore five caves created within a belt of limestone laid down
about 440 million years ago in Koscuiszko National Park. Take a
self-guided tour through the largest cave, called South Glory, or
enjoy the other caves on guided Discovery tours that run three
or four times daily (closed Christmas Day). During peak periods
and holidays you can join our Aboriginal Discovery rangers for a
unique and hands-on cultural experience.
Come properly prepared for adventure: sturdy, enclosed shoes
are a must and the caves are very cool, so bring a jacket even in
the warmest weather. You’ll also want to bring your swimmers
because once you’ve explored what’s below ground, you can
take the short walk to the thermal pool above ground. Yearround, it stays at a toasty 27ºC, and there’s something quite
magical about paddling here in the midst of winter when snow
can lie around its edges.
There are also plenty of shady trails with displays of wildflowers
in summer for a relaxing bushwalk, and an abundance of wildlife
and birds to admire.
GETTING THERE
Yarrangobilly Caves is hidden in northern Kosciuszko National
Park 6.5km off the Snowy Mountains Highway as it stretches
between Cooma and Tumut. From Cooma the Caves are 116km
and from Tumut they are 87km. In winter, it is a good idea to
carry snow chains as the road can become covered with snow.
TOP EXPERIENCES
South Glory Cave
The South Glory Cave seems to challenge nature, and dwarfs
visitors when entering its lofty chambers.
Castle Cave
If you are feeling adventurous, book a Discovery Cave Tour to
Castle Cave, one of the unlit caves rarely seen by visitors
First explored by Europeans in 1834, the South Glory Cave
contains massive decorations and vast rock piles. Information
signs and automated feature lights make it possible for you to
explore this cave at your own pace.
Castle Cave
Historic Kiandra
A short drive away you can take a fascinating walk into the
history of Kiandra, home to one of the shortest gold rushes in
Australian history and where skiing began in Australia. The short
self-guided walk starts at the former courthouse and chalet.
The entrance to the
South Glory Cave
Jillabenan Cave
Despite being the smallest cave on show at Yarrangobilly, the
Jillabenan Cave is possibly the oldest. It features impressive
displays of some of the most delicate cave formations to be
found. Straws, stalactites, shawls, cave corals, and mysterious
helictites can be readily seen throughout this amazing cave.
Limited wheelchair access is available so please contact the
staff at Yarrangobilly Caves for wheelchair booking information.
Jersey Cave
Noted for its rare display of black and grey flowstones, the
Jersey Cave is home to some of the most stunning and diverse
cave decorations found at Yarrangobilly. Cleopatra’s Needle, a
remarkable 4 metre stalagmite that almost touches the cave’s
ceiling is just one of the many fantastic features that you will see
as you journey back in time.
Take a dip in the
Thermal Pool
Thermal Pool
The thermal pool is a unique geothermal feature of Yarrangobilly
Caves. At 27°C the water is always warm and the perfect
location for a soothing day at the caves. The pool is 20 metres
long and up to 2.5 metres deep. There is also a children’s
wading pool, change rooms and picnic facilities.
Cave Scene - NPWS
DAILY TOUR TIMES
South Glory Cave is open 9am – 4pm. Jersey Cave or Jillabenan
Cave are open 10.30am, 11.45am, 1.45pm and 3pm during
summer and 11am, 1pm & 3pm during winter (between June &
October long weekends).
Tickets are required for all cave inspections and can be
purchased from the Yarrangobilly Caves Visitor Centre.
Additional tours run during summer holidays and Easter.
TO FIND OUT MORE
For further information, call Yarrangobilly Caves Visitor Centre
02 6454 9597, or visit:
nationalparks.nsw.gov.au/kosciuszko-national-park/
yarrangobilly-caves/historic-site
nationalparks.nsw.gov.au/whats-on/snowy-mountains/
aboriginal-cultural-experience
Yarrangobilly River Walk - C andT Wright