The Blue Mountains are a world heritage site which has many places to explore. Jenolan Caves are one such place. It is an entire limestone cave complex, comprising of nine show caves. The Jenolan Caves are easily accessible for day trips from Sydney. Once could always opt to stay at a hotel near the caves and then explore all of them.
The local Abrogines called the caves Binnomea or Dark Places. The European settlers discovered them and now all of them are mapped and explored. All the nine show caves can be lit, and they have stairs and walkways that make it very convenient for the tourists who would like to visit and explore them. All of them have the most awesome limestone formations, stalactites and stalagmites formed over the centuries of water dripping into the caves.
The most popular caves are Lucas cave, Chifley Cave and the Imperial and the Oriental. Most guided tours take a visitor to these caves. However you could always check the timing of the tours that are posted at the entrance of the caves and select the cave you want to visit, if you are running short of time.
A guided tour would take about 1 ½ hour and is certainly not for the faint hearted or the very elderly who are not able to negotiate the stairs and walkways. The tour would take you to see The Orient Cave which has the most lovely limestone formation in the shape delicate crystalline decoration; the Lucas Cave that features the much photographed Broken Column, the Temple of Baal Cave has the Angel’s Wing, the largest free-hanging shawl at Jenolan. There are pink and white rock-flows that form a terrace kind of formation and even an underground river that is beautiful with its unique blue-green colour.
Unless you are very claustrophobic or unable to walk an climb stairs, this is definitely worth a visit. The awesome views, lit and accompanied with sound effects makes it a unforgettable experience, definitely worth the strenuous effort of climbing the stairs and walking.
Tip : Carry camcorders or cameras to capture the unforgettable sights. You should wear comfortable walking shoes
The guided tours have different pricings for different caves and combination of caves. If you are in a group, look for family tickets that are available on a discount. Adventure Caving and the Sound and Light Shows are priced differently.
There is a very quaint old Victorian guesthouse that has lodging as well as a restaurant, lounge etc. called the Caves House, where you could stop for a drink after your caves visit.
Getting there :
It is not connected directly by bus or train. However, there are many conducted tours from Sydney which takes roughly 3 hours. You could also visit the caves from Katoomba which is just a short drive.
