Victoria Arch walking track

Wombeyan Karst Conservation Reserve

Open, check current alerts 

Overview

Victoria Arch walking track is a short, accessible walk in Wombeyan Karst Conservation Reserve. The easy bushwalk takes you to a viewing platform overlooking a remarkable natural rock formation.

Accessibility
Easy
Distance
0.6km return
Time suggested
10 - 20min
Grade
Grade 1
What to
bring
Drinking water, hat, sunscreen

Take Victoria Arch walking track to the spectacular rock formation that makes up the final chamber of Fig Tree Cave. The 300m walk is an accessible alternative to a self-guided tour through this impressive cave.

The shady walking track starts near Kui Kiosk and follows the banks of the usually dry Wombeyan Creek. Pack some sandwiches and have lunch at Wombeyan picnic area, then take your camera along to capture the awe-inspiring scenery at the end of the track.

Victoria Arch is one of the largest chambers at Wombeyan Caves. It contains a striking array of colours created by bacteria that grows on the walls and roof. Large stromatolites – layered rock mounds formed by bacteria – can also be observed on the floor of this chamber. They resemble the tail of a crayfish and are commonly referred to as ‘cray backs’.

There are no steps along Victoria Arch walking track until you reach the arch, so it’s an excellent way for everyone to enjoy the natural beauty of Wombeyan Caves.

For directions, safety and practical information, see visitor info

Also see

  • Visitors outside the Kui Kiosk building in Wombeyan Karst Conservation Reserve. Credit: Remy Brand/DPE © Remy Brand

    Kui Kiosk

    Head to Kui Kiosk to learn about the experiences on offer at Wombeyan Karst Conservation Reserve.

  • Visitors take in the textured walls of Fig Tree Cave. Credit: Remy Brand/DPE © Remy Brand

    Fig Tree Cave

    Be sure to take a family-friendly, self-guided tour through the impressive Fig Tree Cave while you’re at Wombeyan Karst Conservation Reserve. It’s widely regarded as one of NSW’s best self-guided cave experiences.

  • A couple chat while preparing lunch at the barbecue in Wombeyan picnic area. Credit: Remy Brand/DPE © Remy Brand

    Wombeyan picnic area

    Wombeyan picnic area is a shady spot for a lunch break during a day touring the caves at Wombeyan Karst Conservation Reserve.

Map


Map


Map legend

Map legend

Current alerts in this area

There are no current alerts in this area.

Local alerts

For the latest updates on fires, closures and other alerts in this area, see https://www.nationalparks.nsw.gov.au/things-to-do/walking-tracks/victoria-arch-walking-track/local-alerts

General enquiries

Park info

See more visitor info

Visitor info

All the practical information you need to know about Victoria Arch walking track.

Track grading

Features of this track

Distance

0.6km return

Time

10 - 20min

Quality of markings

Clearly sign posted

Experience required

No experience required

Gradient

Flat

Steps

No steps

Quality of path

Well-formed track: This is a smooth, sealed track.

Getting there and parking

Get driving directions

Get directions

    You can only access Wombeyan Karst Conservation Reserve via Taralga and Wombeyan Caves Road. To get there:

    From Sydney via Goulburn (3hr drive):

    • Take the South Western Motorway to Goulburn
    • From Goulburn, follow Tablelands Way through Taralga
    • Take the Wombeyan Caves Road turnoff and drive for 23km (sealed and unsealed road).

    From Sydney via Oberon (4hr drive):

    • Take the M4 and Great Western Highway towards Lithgow
    • Turn left onto Jenolan Caves Road, then after 23km turn right onto Duckmaloi Road
    • From Oberon, follow Tablelands Way
    • Take the Wombeyan Caves Road turnoff and drive for 23km (sealed and unsealed road).

    From Canberra (2.5hr drive):

    • Take the Federal Highway to Goulburn, then take Goulburn-Taralga-Oberon Road towards Taralga for about 45km
    • Continue through Taralga for 10km until you reach the Wombeyan Caves turnoff
    • Turn right onto Wombeyan Caves Road and drive for 23km (sealed and unsealed road).

    From Wollongong (3hr drive):

    • Take the Princes Highway towards Sydney
    • Turn off at the Picton Road exit and follow for around 27km, then take the Hume Highway towards Goulburn
    • From Goulburn, follow Tablelands Way through Taralga
    • Take the Wombeyan Caves Road turnoff and drive for 23km (sealed and unsealed road).

    Wombeyan Caves Road access via Mittagong is closed until further notice.

    Refuel your vehicle on the way, as there is no petrol station at Wombeyan Karst Conservation Reserve.

    Road quality

    • Mixture of sealed and unsealed roads

    Vehicle access

    • 2WD vehicles (no long vehicle access)

    Parking

    Parking is available at Kui Kiosk, including 1 accessible parking space.

    Best times to visit

    There are lots of great things waiting for you in Wombeyan Karst Conservation Reserve. Here are some of the highlights.

    Autumn

    Visit now and you'll see the gorgeous changing colours of the trees. The warm days and cool nights make this an ideaI time for camping.

    Spring

    While the caves can be visited all year round, a trip to Wombeyan in spring is well timed to catch wildflowers in full bloom.

    Summer

    A great time for a weekend camping trip - pitch your tent, enjoy breakfast cooked on the barbecue and the coolness of the caves on a guided tour.

    Winter

    Take advantage of the cooler weather and book a weekend getaway at Wombeyan Caves cabins.

    Weather, temperature and rainfall

    Summer temperature

    Average

    13°C and 26°C

    Highest recorded

    38.8°C

    Winter temperature

    Average

    1°C and 11°C

    Lowest recorded

    -9.6°C

    Rainfall

    Wettest month

    June

    Driest month

    April

    The area’s highest recorded rainfall in one day

    174.2mm

    Facilities

    Public phone

    There is a public phone available next to the onsite office. The phone accepts both coins and phone cards.

    Maps and downloads

    Safety messages

    Bushwalking safety

    If you're keen to head out on a longer walk or a backpack camp, always be prepared. Read these bushwalking safety tips before you set off on a walking adventure in national parks.

    Mobile safety

    Dial Triple Zero (000) in an emergency. Download the Emergency Plus app before you visit, it helps emergency services locate you using your smartphone's GPS. Please note there is limited mobile phone reception in this park and you’ll need mobile reception to call Triple Zero (000).

    Accessibility

    Disability access level - easy

    • The arch is accessible via a flat, sealed path from Kui Kiosk.
    • There is a platform at the end of the path that provides a view through the arch towards the cave entry and many spectacular formations can be seen from here.

    Prohibited

    Drones

    Flying a drone for recreational purposes is prohibited in this area. Drones may affect public enjoyment, safety and privacy, interfere with park operations, or pose a threat to wildlife. See the Drones in Parks policy.

    This area may be a declared Drone Exclusion Zone, or may be subject to Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA) rules for flying near airports, aerodromes and helicopter landing sites. See CASA's Drone Flyer Rules.

    Commercial filming and photography

    Commercial filming or photography is prohibited without prior consent. You must apply for permission and contact the local office.

    Pets

    Pets and domestic animals (other than certified assistance animals) are not permitted. Find out which regional parks allow dog walking and see the pets in parks policy for more information.

    Smoking

    NSW national parks are no smoking areas.

    Learn more

    Victoria Arch walking track is in Wombeyan Karst Conservation Reserve. Here are just some of the reasons why this park is special:

    Aboriginal connections

    Rocky cliffs of Wombeyan Karst Conservation Reserve. Photo: Kevin McGrath

    Wombeyan Karst Conservation Reserve is located within the traditional lands of the Gundungurra People, with the word Wombeyan coming from local language meaning 'Wombat' or 'home of the Wombat'. It's believed that Wombeyan Caves were part of an Aboriginal travel route, with the caves providing reliable shelter. The Dreamtime story of Gurangatch relates to the forming of Wombeyan and Jenolan caves. They are said to have been formed during a contest between 2 mythical beings, Gurangatch and Mirragang. Gurangatch was part fish and part reptile, and Mirragan was a legendary tiger cat.

    Life in the air

    The mountains and forests of Wombeyan Karst Conservation Reserve. Photo: Stephen Babbka

    Wombeyan Karst Conservation Reserve plays a special role in the conservation of some of Australia's precious native flora and fauna. The moist forest that surrounds the park's creeks is home to superb lyrebirds, eastern whipbirds and flycatchers – look for lyrebird scratches on the forest floor. Around the park's rocky outcrops, see if you can spy birds of prey, including brown goshawks and wedge tailed eagles. You'll have to look particularly carefully to see a tawny frogmouth. Their camouflage is excellent – they stay very still and upright, and you might mistake them as part of the branch they're perched on.

    • Victoria Arch walking track Victoria Arch walking track is a short, accessible walk in Wombeyan Karst Conservation Reserve. The easy bushwalk takes you to a viewing platform overlooking a remarkable natural rock formation.

    On show

    Reflected waters of Coronation cave, Wombeyan Karst Conservation Reserve. Photo: Steve Babka

    The limestone in the caves of Wombeyan Karst Conservation Reserve is 430 million years old. The geological processes that have created the magnificent cave system you see today continue to work their magic. You'll notice the impressive cave decorations, including stalactites and stalagmites, that are created by the infiltration of water into the caves. Take a guided cave tour to find out more about the history and geology of the caves.

    • Dennings Labyrinth Dennings Labyrinth in Wombeyan Karst Conservation Reserve is currently closed to the public. Visitors will be advised when the cave reopens for tours.
    • Fig Tree Cave Be sure to take a family-friendly, self-guided tour through the impressive Fig Tree Cave while you’re at Wombeyan Karst Conservation Reserve. It’s widely regarded as one of NSW’s best self-guided cave experiences.
    • Kooringa Cave The ornately decorated Kooringa Cave in Wombeyan Karst Conservation Reserve is sure to impress. Bring your camera to capture striking columns and rippled draperies on a guided tour through this single-chamber cave.
    • Mulwaree Cave Join a 1hr guided tour through the magnificent Mulwaree Cave in Wombeyan Karst Conservation Reserve. Inside this cave you’ll see shining decorations, large stalactites and spectacular colour variations on the walls.
    • Victoria Arch walking track Victoria Arch walking track is a short, accessible walk in Wombeyan Karst Conservation Reserve. The easy bushwalk takes you to a viewing platform overlooking a remarkable natural rock formation.
    • Wollondilly Cave Wollondilly Cave is the longest and most diverse cave at Wombeyan. Book a guided tour to see the stunning features of this sparkling 5-level cave. A trip to Wombeyan Karst Conservation Reserve wouldn’t be complete without a visit.
    Show more

    Plants and animals protected in this park

    Animals

    • Eastern bentwing bat. Photo: Ken Stepnell

      Eastern bentwing-bat (Miniopterus schreibersii oceanensis)

      Eastern bentwing-bats congregate in caves across the east and north-west coasts of Australia, in colonies of up to 150,000. These small Australian animals weigh around 13-17g and can reach speeds of up to 50km per hour. Eastern bentwing-bats use both sight and echolocation to catch small insects mid-air.

    • Bare-nosed wombat. Photo: Keith Gillett

      Bare-nosed wombat (Vombatus ursinus)

      A large, squat marsupial, the Australian bare-nosed wombat is a burrowing mammal found in coastal forests and mountain ranges across NSW and Victoria. The only other remaining species of wombat in NSW, the endangered southern hairy-nosed wombat, was considered extinct until relatively recently.

    • Brush tail possum. Photo: Ken Stepnell

      Common brushtail possum (Trichosurus vulpecula)

      One of the most widespread of Australian tree-dwelling marsupials, the common brushtail possum is found across most of NSW in woodlands, rainforests and urban areas. With strong claws, a prehensile tail and opposable digits, these native Australian animals are well-adapted for life amongst the trees.

    • Eastern common ringtail possum. Photo: Ken Stepnell

      Common ringtail possum (Pseudocheirus peregrinus)

      Commonly found in forests, woodlands and leafy gardens across eastern NSW, the Australian ringtail possum is a tree-dwelling marsupial. With a powerful tail perfectly adapted to grasp objects, it forages in trees for eucalypt leaves, flowers and fruit.

    Environments in this park

    Education resources (1)