National park · Australia
Yarrangobilly Caves
Give it half a day: one guided show cave (Jersey or Jillabenan, A$26 adult) plus the free 27°C thermal pool, arriving before 10:00; skip it as a day trip from Sydney (5 h each way) and stay in Tumut or Cooma instead.Give it half a day: one guided show cave (Jersey or Jillabenan, A$26 adult) plus the free 27°C thermal pool, arriving before 10:00 AM; skip it as a day trip from Sydney (5 h each way) and stay in Tumut or Cooma instead.Give it half a day: one guided show cave (Jersey or Jillabenan, A$26 adult) plus the free 81°F thermal pool, arriving before 10:00; skip it as a day trip from Sydney (5 h each way) and stay in Tumut or Cooma instead.Give it half a day: one guided show cave (Jersey or Jillabenan, A$26 adult) plus the free 81°F thermal pool, arriving before 10:00 AM; skip it as a day trip from Sydney (5 h each way) and stay in Tumut or Cooma instead.
Map to the park
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Area
12 km²5 sq mi
approximate
Established
1904
Best months
Oct–Mar
UNESCO
None
Rules in force · 7
- Oceania ↗Oceania's island states guard their farms and reefs at the border: tick 'yes' on the arrival card for any food, plant, animal product, soil or used outdoor gear, and let the officer decide.
- Oceania ↗Across the tropical South Pacific, cyclones are possible from November to April: choose insurance that covers weather delays and keep one spare night before a long-haul departure.
- Australia and New Zealand ↗Both countries drive on the left, with long distances between fuel stops in the outback and on New Zealand's back roads; fatigue causes more visitor crashes than speed.
- Australia ↗Almost every visitor needs a visa or an electronic authorisation (ETA or eVisitor, depending on passport) before boarding: apply only through the official Department of Home Affairs site or the official AustralianETA app, and check the rules for your passport.
- Australia ↗Declare all food, plant material, seeds, wood and animal products on your arrival declaration; undeclared items can bring on-the-spot fines or visa cancellation. When unsure, declare it.
- Australia ↗Drive on the left. An overseas licence in English (or with an official translation or International Driving Permit) is accepted for visitors; check the state rules and your rental contract.
- Australia ↗Swim between the red and yellow flags on patrolled beaches; rip currents cause most beach drownings.
At a glance
- Country
- Australia
- Area
- 12 km²5 sq mi
- The visitor area around the caves and thermal pool inside Kosciuszko National Park; the park itself is far larger (check).
- Established
- 1904
- Best months
- Oct–Mar
- Permits
- For some areas
- Base
- Canberra
Yarrangobilly Caves sit in a small limestone valley in the middle of Kosciuszko National Park, in the Snowy Mountains of New South Wales. Four show caves are open to visitors: Jersey, Jillabenan and North Glory on guided tours, and South Glory on a self-guided route with motion-sensor lights. A stockman, John Bowman, came across the caves in 1834; Leo James Hoad was caretaker from 1919 to 1946 and found Jillabenan Cave in 1910. The limestone is about 440 million years old, and the two headline caves formed more than half a million years apart. Below the caves, a spring feeds two concrete pools held at a constant 27°C, free to use, with the cold Yarrangobilly River running past them. The valley is reached by car only, down the Snowy Mountains Highway and a final 5 km of unsealed road with steep corners.
Decide
Why go, which months, and what lives here when
At a glance
Status
- No UNESCO listing; national park since 1904.
Size and age
12 km²5 sq mi · national park since 1904
The visitor area around the caves and thermal pool inside Kosciuszko National Park; the park itself is far larger (check).
This page covers the park itself. Nearest base: Canberra.
Why go
- Four show caves in one small valley, from an easy self-guided walk to guided tours with big crystal formations.
- A naturally heated 27°C thermal pool that is free to use, 700 m downhill from the car park.A naturally heated 81°F thermal pool that is free to use, 700 m downhill from the car park.
- Short walks straight from the caves: Bluff Lookout, Castle Cave Walk and the river trail.
- Wombats and superb fairy-wrens around the visitor centre and the campground.
When to go
- JanBest
- FebBest
- MarBest
- AprGo
- MayGo
- JunCaution
- JulCaution
- AugCaution
- SepGo
- OctBest
- NovBest
- DecBest
- JanWarm days, cool caves; book tours ahead
- FebWarm and settled
- MarMild; fewer people
- AprCool nights; autumn colour
- MayCold mornings; quiet
- JunSnow possible; carry chains
- JulColdest; ice on the gravel road
- AugSnow and ice; check road status
- SepThawing; variable weather
- OctClear and mild; good walking
- NovWarm, dry, wildflowers
- DecWarm; school holidays busy
Wildlife and nature calendar
| What | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Bare-nosed wombats around the visitor centre and campgroundAll year · Most active around dawn and dusk. | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes |
| Superb fairy-wrensSep–Mar · Blue and black males are conspicuous in spring and summer. | yes | yes | yes | no | no | no | no | no | yes | yes | yes | yes |
| Platypus in the Yarrangobilly RiverAll year · Nocturnal and aquatic; sightings are rare. | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes |
Arrive & move
Getting in, how the park is divided, and where things are
How to get there
From Tumut
Snowy Mountains Highway (B72) southeast, then right onto Yarrangobilly Caves Road; the last 5 km is unsealed with steep corners.Snowy Mountains Highway (B72) southeast, then right onto Yarrangobilly Caves Road; the last 3.1 mi is unsealed with steep corners.
1 h 15 min
Open the page →
From Canberra
Drive to Cooma, then west on the Snowy Mountains Highway and turn onto Yarrangobilly Caves Road.
3–3.5 h
Open the page →
From Sydney
Hume Highway south, turn off at Tumut, then the Snowy Mountains Highway; too long for a day trip.
5–5.5 h
Open the page →
From Jindabyne
Via Cooma and the Snowy Mountains Highway, then Yarrangobilly Caves Road.
2.5–3 h
Zones and sectors
| Zone | What is there | Access |
|---|---|---|
| Visitor centre and Caves House | Ticket desk, gift shop, cafe-style facilities, historic guesthouse and cottages. | Open to all; tours depart from here. |
| South Glory and Castle Walk area | Self-guided cave, Castle Cave and the easy 3.2 km return walk along the limestone cliffs.Self-guided cave, Castle Cave and the easy 2 mi return walk along the limestone cliffs. | Ticket for the cave; the walk is free. |
| Jersey and Jillabenan caves | The two most decorated show caves, on the one-way loop above the centre. | Guided tours only, on a timetable. |
| Thermal pool and river | Two concrete pools fed by 27°C spring water, plus the cold Yarrangobilly River.Two concrete pools fed by 81°F spring water, plus the cold Yarrangobilly River. | Free; steep 700 m walk down from the car park. |
Sketch map
- 1Yarrangobilly Caves Visitor Centre · Headquarters≈-35.725, 148.491Map ↗
- 2South Glory Cave · Cave≈-35.724, 148.486Map ↗
- 3Jersey Cave · Cave≈-35.723, 148.487Map ↗
- 4Jillabenan Cave · Cave≈-35.721, 148.489Map ↗
- 5North Glory Cave · Cave≈-35.724, 148.487Map ↗
- 6Thermal pool · Beach≈-35.731, 148.486Map ↗
- 7Yarrangobilly Village campground · Sleep≈-35.652, 148.462Map ↗
See & do
Caves, trails and wildlife, with how hard each is and whether it needs booking
Top experiences
Practical
Fees, permits, rules, where to sleep and what can go wrong
Entry fees and permits
| Item | Range | Per | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| Jersey Cave guided tour | AUD 26 | adult | A$22 concession, A$82 family (2 adults + 2 children); under 5s free (2026 estimate). |
| Jillabenan Cave guided tour | AUD 26 | adult | A$22 concession, A$82 family; under 5s free (2026 estimate). |
| North Glory Cave guided tour | AUD 26 | adult | A$20 concession, A$78 family; about 1.5 h (2026 estimate). |
| South Glory Cave self-guided | AUD 22 | adult | A$18 concession, A$70 family; under 5s free (2026 estimate). |
| Thermal pool | Free | person | Free; no booking. |
| Multi-cave discount ticket | Free | person | Discounted tickets for more than one cave are sold at the visitor centre; ask for the current combination price (check). |
Ranges, not quotes: fees change without notice. Check with the park or your operator · checked Sep 2026.
Cave tour ticket permit or guide
Kosciuszko National Park entry permit or guide
South Glory Cave permit or guide
Park rules
- Stay on the path inside caves
- Do not touch formations; oils from skin stop them growing. No food or drink on tours.
- No drones
- Drones are not permitted in Kosciuszko National Park without a permit from NSW National Parks (check).check
- Camping
- Camp only at Yarrangobilly Village campground; backcountry camping is not suitable in this terrain.
- Winter driving
- Carry snow chains in winter; the last 5 km of Yarrangobilly Caves Road is unsealed with steep corners and is not suitable for caravans.Carry snow chains in winter; the last 3.1 mi of Yarrangobilly Caves Road is unsealed with steep corners and is not suitable for caravans.
- Thermal pool
- No glass, no soap and no pets in the pools; the water flows into the river.
Where to stay
In the park
Yarrangobilly Caves House (guest rooms and wings)
Historic 1917 guesthouse with 9 rooms and shared spaces; book well ahead.
In the park
Lyrebird Cottage
Two-bedroom eco cottage for up to four, surrounded by wildlife after dark.
In the park
Yarrangobilly Village campground
Basic riverside camping off the Snowy Mountains Highway; booking fees apply, no marked sites.
Near the park
Tumut, Adaminaby, Talbingoor Cooma
Motels and pubs when the park lodges are full; Cooma is about an hour away.
Safety
Bushfire high
Cold and ice in winter medium
Steep, uneven cave steps medium
Narrow one-way loops medium
Accessibility
- Jillabenan Cave was built as Australia's first wheelchair-accessible show cave, but some railings suit older wheelchair designs; ask at the visitor centre before booking (check).
- The visitor centre, Caves House and the South Glory Cave entrance area are reachable by car with short walks.
- The thermal pool, Bluff Lookout and the longer walks involve steep or rough sections and are not suitable for limited mobility.
Visiting lightly
- Book cave tours rather than entering unlit caves; the formations are fragile and slow-growing.
- Keep to marked tracks on the walks; the soils and vegetation around the caves recover slowly.
- Take all rubbish out; there are limited bins in the valley.
- Rinse off before and after the thermal pool so sunscreen and soap stay out of the river.
Questions people ask
How much does it cost to enter Yarrangobilly Caves?
Each cave is ticketed separately (2026 estimate): Jersey, Jillabenan and North Glory are A$26 per adult, A$22 concession and A$82 family; South Glory, the self-guided cave, is A$22 per adult, A$18 concession and A$70 family. Children under 5 are free. Discounted multi-cave tickets are sold at the visitor centre. The thermal pool and the walking tracks are free, but you still pay Kosciuszko National Park vehicle entry.
What are the best hikes in Yarrangobilly Caves?
Bluff Lookout Walk (2 km return, Grade 4, 45 min–1.25 h) has the best view. Castle Cave Walk (3.2 km return) is the easiest and passes South Glory Cave. The Yarrangobilly River Walk (about 3 km) links the caves to the thermal pool, and Glory Farm Walk (2.8 km return) reaches the old farm site.
When is the best time to visit Yarrangobilly Caves?
October to April for warm, settled weather and clear walking; January and December are busiest in the school holidays. Winter visits work if you accept snow and ice on the road and carry chains. Inside the caves it is about 10°C all year, so bring a jacket whenever you go.
Can I visit the caves without a tour?
Only South Glory Cave. Jersey, Jillabenan and North Glory are guided tours on a timetable, booked at the visitor centre or online through NSW National Parks.
How do I get to Yarrangobilly Caves?
By car only. From Tumut it is about 1 h 15 min along the Snowy Mountains Highway (B72) and then Yarrangobilly Caves Road; from Cooma about 1.5 h. The final 5 km is unsealed with steep corners and is not suitable for caravans. There is no public transport and no pedestrian access to the caves.
Is the thermal pool worth it?
Yes if you are already there: two concrete pools held at a constant 27°C, free, with a cold river next to them. It is a steep 700 m walk down from the car park and a climb back up, or 1.1 km along the river from South Glory Cave.
Where can I stay near Yarrangobilly Caves?
Inside the valley there are the Caves House guest rooms and wings, Lyrebird Cottage and the Yarrangobilly Village campground. All book out quickly; otherwise stay in Tumut, Adaminaby or Talbingo, or Cooma about an hour away.
Deep dive
Every source; fees and rules change, so check before you go
Sources
- officialNSW National Parks and Wildlife Service — Yarrangobilly area
- officialNSW National Parks — Yarrangobilly Caves Visitor Centre
- officialNSW National Parks — Yarrangobilly South Glory Cave
- officialNSW National Parks — Yarrangobilly Jersey Cave
- officialNSW National Parks — Yarrangobilly Jillabenan Cave
- officialNSW National Parks — Yarrangobilly Caves thermal pool walk
- officialNSW National Parks — Bluff Lookout Walk
- officialNSW National Parks — Castle Cave Walk
- officialNSW National Parks — Glory Farm Walk
- officialNSW National Parks — Yarrangobilly River Walk
- officialNSW National Parks — Yarrangobilly Village campground
- officialNSW National Parks — Yarrangobilly Caves House wings
- officialNSW National Parks — Lyrebird Cottage
- secondaryWikipedia — Yarrangobilly Caves
- secondaryWikivoyage: Yarrangobilly Caves, revision 5210514 (CC BY-SA 4.0)