Jenolan Caves

Jenolan | Blue Mountains World Heritage Area
Reopening late 2026

Long before roads, before hotels, before tourism, there was Binoomea — dark places.

Set deep within the Blue Mountains World Heritage Area, Jenolan Caves is the oldest show cave system in the world and Australia’s oldest tourism destination. Carved over hundreds of millions of years by water and time, this extraordinary karst landscape is a place of quiet power — where geology, culture, heritage and nature intersect.

Jenolan is currently closed to visitors while essential road repairs and major conservation works are undertaken following significant natural disaster events. The caves are scheduled to reopen in late 2026, marking the next chapter in a story that has been unfolding for millennia.

A World Of Its Own

When open, Jenolan offers guided journeys through spectacular show caves, each with its own personality — vast chambers, crystal formations and subterranean rivers hidden beneath the mountains. Above ground, visitors can explore bushwalks, dramatic escarpments and the tranquil Blue Lake, home to platypus and other native wildlife.

At the heart of the valley stands Caves House, the heritage-listed boutique hotel that has welcomed travellers since the late 1800s. Carefully restored, it remains one of Australia’s great historic places to stay, with Chisholm’s Restaurant preserving the elegance of one of the country’s last remaining grand dining rooms.

Connection, Culture and Conservation

Jenolan is more than a natural wonder — it is a place of deep cultural importance.

Known as Binoomea to the Gundungurra people, Jenolan has long been a place of healing and storytelling. Dreaming narratives speak of an epic struggle between ancestral beings Gurangatch and Mirragan, whose movements shaped the rivers and landscapes that flow through this country. These stories connect Jenolan to wider cultural landscapes including Wombeyan Caves and the Cox and Wollondilly river systems, which feed into Sydney’s main water supply.

Today, Jenolan is managed with a strong commitment to connection and protection — ensuring that it’s natural and cultural heritage endures for generations to come.

A Sanctuary for Life

The Jenolan Karst Conservation Reserve is a refuge for rare and threatened species. Among its most remarkable conservation successes is the recovery of the endangered Brush-tailed Rock-wallaby, whose local population has grown from just seven animals in 1999 to more than 200 today. This achievement reflects decades of care, monitoring and respect for the fragile balance of this environment.

A Place That Stays With You

For 160 years, Jenolan has shaped memories — honeymoons and school excursions, winter evenings by the fire, the first glimpse of a vast underground cathedral. Generations of Australians have carried Jenolan with them, returning years later with children, grandchildren, and stories of their own.

While the valley rests and renews, Jenolan remains very much alive — preparing to welcome guests back with a revitalised visitor experience and a renewed commitment to conservation.

Planning Ahead

Jenolan Caves is currently closed and due to reopen in late 2026.
For updates, future bookings and reopening announcements, visit the website or follow Jenolan Caves on social media.