The main attraction of the Reserve is the many caves with their spectacular formations and cave decorations. Four of the caves are used for guided tours while others provide for self-guided cave tours, adventure cave tours and speleological activities. The Reserve also provides for bushwalking, picnicking, barbecues, accommodation in dormitories and vans, camping and caravanning, school educational groups and conferences/workshops.
The Reserve contains a range of natural and cultural features in addition to the caves. These include the spectacular Victoria Arch and Mares Forest Creek gorge, the uncommon Chalkers wattle, over 70 bird species, a range of mammals including 5 species of bats, and the most diverse invertebrate cave fauna recorded in the State.
There is also evidence of Aboriginal occupation across much of the Reserve and the caves are of mythological significance to Aboriginal people and feature in Aboriginal Dreamtime legends.
In 1865 an area of 271 hectares around the current show caves became the first area in Australia to be reserved for the protection of caves and there are still structures dating from the early 1900s in some caves.
Wombeyan Karst Conservation Reserve is one of four karst conservation reserves managed by the Jenolan Caves Reserve Trust.
Photo: Wombeyan Karst Conservation Reserve / Stephen Babka/OEH
