The Ultimate Guide to the Jenolan Caves for an Unforgettable Outdoor Adventure

There’s no better way to witness the true brilliance of nature than by visiting the famous Jenolan Caves in the Blue Mountains, New South Wales. Known as Australia’s most outstanding cave system, Jenolan Caves is filled with intricate limestone crystal formations, underground rivers, and other marvels that showcase how incredible an artist nature is. 

Each cave was caved after aeons of water dripping from the underground rivers, creating some of the most dramatic sights you’ll ever see. That’s why a trip to the Blue Mountains is incomplete without a Jenolan Caves tour with an experienced guide who’ll lead the way and tell you cool facts on the caves’ history. 

Before packing and heading to the Blue Mountains, here’s everything you need to know about Jenolan Caves for a hassle-free experience!

You can find the Jenolan Caves in Blue Mountains’ southern remote valley. When heading to the Blue Mountains, make sure that Jenolan Caves are part of your itinerary. 

Jenolan Caves are a three-hour drive along a winding road from Sydney. If you’re taking public transportation, you can hop on a train to Katoomba Station, where you can arrange a coach ride to the caves. 

Looking for other weekend getaways from Sydney? Check out our top ten picks of easy places to go.

The best way to get your tickets for a Jenolan Caves guided tour is via Klook, where you can get the best price on the market. Here you can simply follow the expert guide equipped with a Jenolan Caves map. Here you can encounter the more challenging Lucas Cave or the more fitness-friendly Chifley Cave. 

There are various Jenolan Caves tours that suit your different needs and preferences of underground exploration. For the fearless travellers, you can crawl, climb, and even squeeze through the ancient passageways of the caves during adventure tours. For those with kids and prefer a more relaxed experience, you can opt for a less adrenaline-inducing course. 

To help you choose, we’ve listed the different types of tours you can embark on:

These tours are perfect for those who want to explore the majestic caves without the physical rigour. You’ll be taken to caves with subtle lighting that highlights the most picture-perfect features as well as paths and handrails for a more easygoing experience. Keep in mind that due to the distance covered, average physical fitness is still recommended. 

Adventure tours are reminiscent of how ancient explorers would traverse the small openings and muddy slopes of the caves, guided only by candlelight. Nowadays, it’s equipped with modern gear but packed with the same exhilaration of crawling through underdeveloped caves. 

There are also tours that offer unique experiences, such as night tours and kids tours that are mostly available during NSW school holidays so families can participate. Multilingual self-guided tours are also available for those who want to explore each cavern at their own pace and sans the limitations of a guided itinerary. 

A one-of-a-kind tour for those after a little spookiness is the ghost tour where you’ll gather around a cave listening to spine-chilling ghost stories. Sometimes, there are even underground concerts where you can groove to the music. 

Another great way to get the full Jenolan Caves experience is by going on bushwalks that incorporate cave tours on your outdoor expeditions. Bushwalks are perfect for any outdoors adventurer. 

And since the caves are nestled in the Blue Mountains, perhaps you’d like to take your trip further and explore more of the area. Check out our guide on all you need to know about the Blue Mountains:

If you’re itching to go on your tour to the Jenolan Caves, don’t forget the essentials: comfy clothes and non-slip walking shoes. With the long distances you’ll be covering, it’s best to keep the heels and flip-flops at home for the time being. The caves are also 15 degrees Celsius all year-round, so make sure to dress appropriately to keep yourself warm.