Upper Lachlan Shire Council Hotels: Top Hotel and Accommodation Destinations in Upper Lachlan Shire Council | Expedia

One of the spectacular formations inside the Figtree Cave at Wombeyan Caves Karst Conservation Reserve.

Although it's not as adventurous as the various nearby wild cave systems such as those at Tuglow and Bungonia, it's a top spot for camping, wildlife watching and for learning about the geology and history of these remote and magnificent caves.

The caves had been a special place to the local Gundungurra people for hundreds of generations, but there is little evidence they used the caves themselves for shelter.

Europeans first discovered Wombeyan Caves in 1828 when explorer John Oxley and pioneering grazier John Macarthur explored the areas between Berrima and Oberon looking for grazing land. They stumbled upon the massive entrance to the Figtree Cave, the Victoria Arch, at the end of a cleared box canyon.

In 1868 the area was set aside by the colonial NSW government as a reserve and was staffed by a caretaker, Mr Charles Chalker. Chalker explored the area extensively and discovered many of the dozens of caves in the Wombeyan system.

The area became very popular with tourists and geologists alike, and in 1900 a road was opened, linking Wombeyan Caves to Mittagong in the east. An account of this newly-pushed-through road is found in one of my favourite books, "Landlopers" by John Le Gay Brereton, published in 1899.

I have read newspaper letters to the editor from the 1910s where the writers bitterly whinge about the state of the Wombeyan Caves Road between the Caves and Mittagong. Over 100 years later, people are still whingeing about it haha. I call it The Road Of Doom and it's a picturesque drive which is even a little adventurous at times.

The Wombeyan Caves themselves were popular throughout the first half of the 20th Century and the Figtree Cave in the photo was opened to the public as a guided show cave in 1968 and it's been inspiring visitors ever since.

Change your mind
Book hotels with free cancellation
Treat yourself
Sign in to save 10% or more on thousands of hotels
Sign in
Be picky
Search almost a million properties worldwide

Top Cities in Upper Lachlan Shire Council

Our top choices for Upper Lachlan Shire Council hotels

Dining room

Reflections Grabine Lakeside - Holiday Park

Bigga

Australia

Melissa

Interior

Bushranger Hotel

Collector

Australia

bob

View all properties

Save an average of 15% on thousands of hotels when you're signed in

Sign up, it's free

Top Upper Lachlan Shire Council Hotel Reviews

Park Proxi Gibraltar Bowral

Park Proxi Gibraltar Bowral

10/10 Excellent

"Staff were lovely, room was spotless. Great for kids with the indoor pool and a kids playroom near the bar. Will definitely stay again."

Explore a world of travel with Expedia

Explore a world of travel with Expedia

Top cities in Upper Lachlan Shire Council

Explore more hotels

See a list of all hotels in Upper Lachlan Shire Council

More ways to book

Book Hotels in Upper Lachlan Shire Council on Expedia.com.au

Expedia's Latest Trends

Hotels

Flights

Cars

Car hire in Darling Harbour

Packages

General

Go further with the Expedia app

Save on select hotels and earn double points when you book on the app. Our app deals help you to save on trips so you can travel more and manage it all on the go.

Scan the QR code with your device camera and download our app

QR code to download the app

63cdb164-d3fe-4a00-9ad3-4b4277b97f8d16e0b52f-419a-4b77-a6c9-49463c9cfcc5