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Where To Find The Best Caves In Sydney
Since ancient cave paintings found along the inside of cave walls dating back to over 40,000 years ago, it is safe to say that we humans have always had a fascination with caves, whether it is for shelter, a place to set up camp or a great way to spend the day sightseeing. And with a variety of different types of caves, from cosy beach caves to the majestic Sydney crystal caves, New South Wales has some incredible caves that should be on everyone's bucket list.
To spare you the trouble of scouring the internet for where the best caves in Sydney are, the team at Anaconda has done all the research for you! So whether you are planning a weekend road trip or want some exciting destinations for an awesome day out, here is where you will find the absolute best caves in Sydney.
Quick Links:
- Pindar Cave, Brisbane Water National Park
- Caves Beach, Lake Macquarie
- Red Hands Cave, Ku-Ring-Gai National Park
- Palona Cave, Royal National Park
- River Caves Canyon, Newnes Plateau
- Glow Worm Tunnel, Wollemi National Park
- Jenolan Caves, Blue Mountains
Pindar Cave, Brisbane Water National Park
We start our list of the best caves in Sydney with a bang: Pindar Cave located in Brisbane Water National Park. Pindar Cave is absolutely enormous (an awesome destination for a cave party with mates), featuring a gigantic overhang of natural sandstone that can comfortably fit up to 50 people. As one of the biggest caves in Sydney, you can also camp overnight, making it the perfect destination for those who can't get enough of their camping. Apart from spectacular cave views, you will also have plenty to do such as visiting the incredible Pindar Waterfall, taking a dip in the Pindar Pool or taking in the fantastic views at Mt Pindar Lookout.
Why you'll love Pindar Cave:
- Overnight camping allowed
- One of the biggest caves in Sydney
- Plenty of nearby activities including waterfalls, walking tracks and more
Caves Beach, Lake Macquarie
Another strong contender in the quest for the best caves in Sydney is Caves Beach at Lake Macquarie. Located at the very southern end of Lake Macquarie, just south of Swansea Heads, Caves Beach features an incredible labyrinth of caves scattered along the beach that have become world-famous. Just be warned, the caves can only be explored when it is low tide, so make sure to plan your trip accordingly. The beach is also patrolled, so make sure you bring your swimming gear because the surf is awesome around this spot.
Why you'll love Caves Beach:
- Heaps of small caves to explore
- A patrolled beach for taking a dip after exploring
Red Hands Cave, Ku-Ring-Gai National Park
Situated in Ku-Ring-Gai National Park, Red Hands Cave is one of the most well-known sites in New South Wales for Indigenous heritage. One of the biggest attractions are the ancient handprints in ochre (a yellow earthy pigment made from clay) that have been around for thousands of years. The cave itself is massive, featuring an intricate walkway and lighting system to ensure that every detail of the cave is on display. Once you have explored Red Hands Cave, make sure you also check out their Aboriginal Heritage Walk, which is a 5 km walking track that showcases the incredible sights and history of the Aboriginal people from the area including historic shelters, engravings, art and much more.
Why you'll love Red Hands Cave:
- One of the most famous Aboriginal heritage sites
- A 5 km walking track
- One of the most beautiful caves in Sydney
Palona Cave, Royal National Park
Our next top pick for the best Sydney caves is Palona Cave located in the Royal National Park. In an area consisting of mostly sandstone structures, Palona Cave proudly stands out with its limestone features of towering stalagmites and stalactites. There is also a nearby (just 20 metres) waterfall that beckons to be explored - and also makes for the perfect spot to take a dip and cool off after all that exploring. Palona Cave is accessible by walking a few kilometres up Lady Carrington Drive, so it's an awesome destination to add to your list if you are looking for the best hiking trails in Sydney.
Why you'll love Palona Cave:
- Incredible stalagmites and stalactites like no other
- Nearby walking and cycling tracks to keep the adventure going
- A beautiful waterfall to visit and cool off by
River Caves Canyon, Newnes Plateau
River Caves Canyon is a hidden gem - literally. Located on the Newnes Plateau Cliffs in the Gardens of Stone National Park on an unmarked trail in Wollemi National Park (see what we mean), River Caves Canyon is definitely worth the journey. As there are no helpful signposts to guide you, just enter the following GPS coordinates into Google and you'll have no problem finding the entrance: -33.316119, 150.303661. Featuring towering sandstone walls, this hidden gem is a fantastic hybrid of cave and canyon, making it perfect for spending the day exploring. Make sure you bring along your hiking gear because there are plenty of hiking trails and mountain biking tracks to explore as well as rock climbing destinations.
Why you'll love River Caves Canyon:
- One of the best hidden caves in Sydney
- A vast canyon to explore
- Lots of nearby rock climbing, mountain biking and walking tracks
Glow Worm Tunnel, Wollemi National Park
Luckily, the next pick on our list of the best caves in Sydney is much easier to find. Also located in Wollemi National Park, the enchanting Glow Worm Tunnel is 400 metres of pure discovery. Originally an old railroad tunnel that was dismantled in the late 1940s, it has since been transformed into something straight out of Avatar. Upon entering, light from the outside fades away as the darkness from inside quickly consumes you. After a brief moment of complete tenebrosity, a symphony of tiny blue lights begin piercing through the shadows, basking the tunnel in their vibrant ultramarine glow. Just make sure you don't make too much light or noise as this will disturb the glow worms. Also make sure you check out the nearby secret treehouse at Wollemi Wilderness Cabins to turn it into an overnight stay!
Why you'll love Glow Worm Tunnel:
- The best place to see glow worms in New South Wales
- The closest thing to experiencing the world of Avatar
- Turn it into an overnight trip at the Wollemi Wilderness Cabins
Jenolan Caves, Blue Mountains
If you are searching for Sydney crystal caves, then the Jenolan Caves at the Blue Mountains is where you need to head. There are a total of nine caves to explore, with the Orient, Imperial and Chifley caves being extremely popular, yet each one offers a unique experience for explorers hungry for adventure. Their Temple of Baal cave tour showcases some of the most magnificent cave crystals in Sydney, descending deep into the mountain to uncover fantastic walls of helictites, the largest crystal shawl and so much more!
Why you'll love Jenolan Caves:
- The best crystal caves in Sydney
- A great selection of cave tours to embark on
- Tours that are available for a range of different age groups - perfect for the family!
Visit The Best Caves In Sydney Today
When it comes to finding the best Sydney caves for exploring, whether solo or with friends and family, these are our top picks that will not disappoint!
Make sure you check out our Adventure Centre for more exciting destinations that you can visit with your friends, family and loved ones.
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