Updated in October 2026, this Fig Tree Cave guide covers ticket prices, opening hours, parking, accessibility and what to see.
Fig Tree Cave is a self-guided show cave in Wombeyan Karst Conservation Reserve, in the NSW Southern Tablelands. A token-operated door lets you tour the cave at your own pace. You can book through Viator before you travel. As of October 2026, the cave has no wheelchair access and is not suitable for prams, although some older guides call it fully accessible. Adult entry costs $20, and road access via Mittagong is closed until further notice.
Quick facts for Fig Tree Cave
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Location | Wombeyan Karst Conservation Reserve, Wombeyan Caves NSW 2580 |
| Tour type | Self-guided, any time from 9:00 to 15:30 daily |
| Leave the cave by | 16:15 |
| Adult | $20 |
| Child or pensioner | $13 |
| Senior | $17 |
| Family | $50 (2 adults and children up to 16) |
| Distance | 1.2 km return |
| Suggested time | About 1 hour |
| Cave temperature | About 15°C all year |
| Phone | 02 4843 5976 (Wombeyan Caves office) |
Why book tickets for Fig Tree Cave?
- 🗝️ Explore at your own pace: A token opens the door, and you pause as long as you like at each formation.
- 💎 A showcase of cave decorations: Stalactites, stalagmites, helictites and cave coral are lit along the route.
- 🏛️ The Victoria Arch finale: The tour ends in a colourful daylit cavern, one of the largest chambers at Wombeyan.
- 🦐 Rare stromatolites: Look for formations that resemble the tails of crayfish in the final chamber.
- 📸 Photography is allowed: You can take photos inside the cave.
Ticket prices for Fig Tree Cave – and how to book
All prices are in Australian dollars.
| Ticket | Price |
|---|---|
| Adult | $20 |
| Child or pensioner | $13 |
| Senior | $17 |
| Family (2 adults and children up to 16) | $50 |
Multi-cave passes combine Fig Tree Cave with guided tours of other Wombeyan caves. Book a two-cave combo online to save, or phone 1300 072 757. Children must be accompanied by an adult.
Online ticket holders collect a token from the visitor centre before walking to the cave. The Wombeyan Caves office counter is next to Kui Kiosk, and walk-up tickets are sold there. You can book through Viator for a self-guided ticket in advance.
Opening hours for Fig Tree Cave
You can take the self-guided tour at any time from 9:00 to 15:30 daily. Everyone must leave the cave by 16:15. Weekday and weekend hours are the same.
| Item | Time |
|---|---|
| Self-guided tour entry | Daily 9:00 to 15:30 |
| Leave the cave by | 16:15 |
| Car park gate | Opens 9:00 and locked at 16:30 |
| Wombeyan Caves office | Daily 9:00 to 16:30. Closed Christmas Day |
The reserve is always open but may close in poor weather or fire danger. Check the local alerts before you travel.
How to get to Fig Tree Cave
You can only reach Wombeyan Karst Conservation Reserve via Taralga and Wombeyan Caves Road. The last 23 kilometres are sealed and unsealed road. Access via Mittagong is closed until further notice.
| From | Route | Drive time |
|---|---|---|
| Sydney via Goulburn | South Western Motorway to Goulburn, then Tablelands Way through Taralga | 3 hours |
| Sydney via Oberon | M4 and Great Western Highway, then Jenolan Caves Road, Duckmaloi Road and Tablelands Way | 4 hours |
| Canberra | Federal Highway to Goulburn, then Goulburn–Taralga–Oberon Road through Taralga | 2.5 hours |
| Wollongong | Princes Highway, Picton Road, Hume Highway to Goulburn, then Tablelands Way | 3 hours |
Turn onto Wombeyan Caves Road after Taralga. There is no petrol station in the reserve, so refuel on the way. A 2WD vehicle is fine, but long vehicles cannot use the road. Mobile reception is limited.
Parking at Fig Tree Cave
Park at Kui Kiosk, which has one accessible space. The car park gate opens at 9:00 and is locked at 16:30. The cave is a 15-minute walk from the visitor centre, so do not leave your return too late.
How long to spend at Fig Tree Cave
Allow about one hour for the cave and 1.2-kilometre return route. Allow 1.5 hours if you include the walk from Kui Kiosk and time for photos. The self-guided format has no time limit apart from the 16:15 exit.
Accessibility at Fig Tree Cave
Fig Tree Cave has no wheelchair access and is not suitable for prams. A moderately steep 500-metre gravel path leads to the cave entrance. Inside, there are some steep sections and fewer than 200 steps. The ground can be slippery.
An average level of fitness is needed. There are no toilets near the cave entrance, so use the public amenities at Kui Kiosk. Pets are not allowed, except certified assistance animals. Food is not permitted inside the cave.
What to see at Fig Tree Cave
The token door and gravel path. A token opens an automatic door at the cave entrance. A moderately steep 500-metre gravel path leads there from the visitor centre.
The cave decorations. Carefully placed lighting shows stalactites, stalagmites, helictites and cave coral. Information along the route explains how the cave formed.
The cool cave air. The temperature stays at about 15°C all year. It feels like stepping into another world on a hot day.
Marble Way and Victoria Arch. The tour finishes with a stroll through Marble Way to Victoria Arch. This colourful daylit cavern is one of the largest chambers at Wombeyan.
The stromatolites. In the final chamber, look for rare rock formations that resemble the tails of crayfish.
Practical visitor tips for Fig Tree Cave
| Tip | Detail |
|---|---|
| Book ahead | Online booking secures your ticket. Book tickets in advance and collect your token from the visitor centre. |
| Wear sturdy shoes | The path is gravel and the cave floor can be slippery. |
| Refuel and use the toilets first | There is no petrol in the reserve, and the nearest toilets are at Kui Kiosk. |
| Do not touch the formations | Oil on skin changes how stalactites grow and can discolour the rock. |
| Watch the clock | Enter by 15:30, leave the cave by 16:15 and move your car before the gate locks at 16:30. |
Frequently asked questions about Fig Tree Cave
| Question | Answer |
|---|---|
| Is Fig Tree Cave self-guided? | Yes. You tour at your own pace after collecting a token. Guided tours run in other Wombeyan caves. |
| Is Fig Tree Cave wheelchair or pram accessible? | No. The cave has no wheelchair access and is not suitable for prams, despite some older guides. |
| How much does Fig Tree Cave cost? | Adults pay $20, seniors $17, children and pensioners $13. A family ticket costs $50. |
| Can I take photos in the cave? | Yes. You can take photos, and a flash is fine. Drones are prohibited in the reserve. |
| Is the road from Mittagong open? | No. Access via Mittagong is closed until further notice, so use Taralga and Wombeyan Caves Road. Advance booking is recommended so your ticket is secured before the long drive. |
Things to do near Fig Tree Cave
Victoria Arch is a huge open cave chamber reached on a walking track from Kui Kiosk.
Wollondilly Cave is the longest and most diverse cave at Wombeyan, visited on a guided tour.
Mulwaree Cave is a guided cave with large stalactites and colourful wall variations.
Kooringa Cave is a single-chamber cave with columns and rippled draperies, visited on a guided tour.
The Kui Kiosk is the reserve’s kiosk and information point.
Alternatives to Fig Tree Cave
Wombeyan is remote, so the nearest alternatives are other NSW show caves, and some are further than two hours’ drive.
Jenolan Caves is one of Australia’s best-known show cave systems, in the Blue Mountains region.
Abercrombie Caves is a limestone cave system near Bathurst, known for its large natural arch.
Yarrangobilly Caves is a group of limestone caves in Kosciuszko National Park.
Bungonia Caves is a wild cave and gorge area near Goulburn.
Wellington Caves is a cave and fossil site in the Central West of NSW.
More New South Wales travel
Other New South Wales travel guides on Planet Whitley include:
- How to visit Fitzroy Falls in the Southern Highlands.
- Guide to Jellybean Pool – one of the best swimming holes in the Blue Mountains.
- Camping with kangaroos in the Blue Mountains at the Euroka Campground.
- Climbing Mt Kosciuszko – Australia’s highest mountain.
- Why it’s worth visiting Thredbo in summer.
