This return walk in Wombeyan Karst Conservation Reserve takes you past Wollondilly and Kooringa Caves. If you take a side trip you can also visit the Fig Tree Cave. Enjoy the views from the lookout or walk to the creek for a swim. Let us begin by acknowledging the Gundungurra people, Traditional Custodians of the land on which we travel today, and pay our respects to their Elders past and present.
Before you start any bushwalk ensure you;
• Tell someone you trust where you are going and what to do if you are overdue
• Have adequate equipment, supplies, skills & knowledge for the whole journey
• Consider the impact of weather forecasts, park/track closures & fire dangers
• Can respond to emergencies & call for help at any point
• Are healthy and fit enough for this journey
If not, change plans and stay safe. It is okay to delay and ask people for help.
After another 15 m cross the bridge (about 15 m long)
After another 300 m come to the viewpoint (on your left).
After another 90 m pass the cave (on your left).
Continue straight.
Then pass the sign (on your right).
The starting point of an optional sidetrip. Side trip to Fig Tree Cave. To start this optional side trip continue straight here. On returning from this side trip turn left when you get back to this intersection. Details below.
Turn right.
After another 25 m pass the sign (on your left).
After another 790 m continue straight.
After another 170 m pass the "Vegetation of Mares Forest Creek" (5 m on your left).
The starting point of an optional sidetrip. Take the side trip to Mares Forest Creek for a refreshing swim. To start this optional side trip continue straight here. On returning from this side trip error >360 when you get back to this intersection. Details below.
After another 45 m turn right.
After another 10 m come to the "Tinted Cave".
Then head through the tunnel
After another 30 m come to a viewpoint.
Turn around here and retrace the main route for 1.5 km to get back to the start.
Side trip to Fig Tree Cave.
Turn map
Directions & comments
Start.
Find the cave at the start.
After another 185 m veer right.
After another 35 m come to a cave.
The end.
Turn around and retrace your steps back the 215 m to the main route.
Take the side trip to Mares Forest Creek for a refreshing swim.
Turn map
Directions & comments
Start.
Find the Tinted Cave at the start.
After another 70 m come to the end.
Turn around and retrace your steps back the 70 m to the main route.
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Terrain
Know the Hills, grading & facilities
Mares Forest Creek Walking Track
Grading
Class 4/6
Hard track
Length
3 km
Time
1 h to 1 h 30 min
Quality of track
Clear and well formed track or trail (2/6)
Gradient
Short steep hills (3/6)
Signage
Minimal directional signs (4/6)
Infrastructure
Limited facilities (such as cliffs not fenced, significant creeks not bridged) (4/6)
Experience Required
No experience required (2/6)
Weather
Foretasted & unexpected storms and severe weather may impact on navigation and safety (4/6)
