Mares Creek Canyon
Wombeyan Karast CR
PARK HERE
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2WD Access
Risk Level: Moderate
Difficulty: Moderate
Navigation: Easy
Distance & Time: 2.8km each way
Elevation gain: 100m
We pay our respects to the traditional owners of the land. We acknowledge their enduring connection to the land, waters, and culture, and pay our respects to their Elders past, present, and emerging.
STARTING POINT
Park at the car park beside the Wombeyan Caves Visitor Centre
Use the closest car park to the trailhead in Wombeyan Karst Reserve
Note that the car park has a gate in front of it
At time of writing, the gate shuts at 4.30pm (this may change)
From the car park beside the visitor centre, take the signposted trail
Cross the little bridge
Head towards the gravel path
DIRECTIONS
Trailhead to Wattle Hill
Follow the gravel path as it climbs relatively steeply up Wattle Hill
After a few hundred metres, pass a lookout on the left
The lookout looks down over the picnic area
Continue to the top of Wattle Hill
Reach the top of Wattle Hill
Turn right at the junction
Follow the signposted direction for Limestone Gorge
Wattle Hill to the Gorge
The track begins to open up views over the limestone hills
Begin a gentle descent
The descent is a little rocky at first
Continue as the track smooths out
After some time you will reach some stairs
Continue down to the gorge
Cross the little metal walkway
Arrive at the foot of the gorge
The base of the gorge is about 1.5km from the car park.
Into the Canyon
Begin walking upstream through the canyon in the water
You will need a dry bag for any items you do not wish to get wet.
The first few steps are quite shallow
The water then gets much deeper
Swimming is required here for some walkers
First Dry Section and Shallow Water
Continue onto a short dry section over rocks
the water becomes more shallow in sections
First Narrow Slot and Long Swim
Continue until you reach the first narrow slot
Enter one of the longer swims
The canyon walls are high and close through this section
Boulder Scramble
At the end of the swim, reach another dry section
Reach the boulder scramble of the hike
Second Slot and Blue Pool
After the boulder scramble, continue through shallow water
You will eventually reach a pretty blue pool
Final 200m to the Waterfall Pool
From the blue pool, continue 200m to the waterfall pool
This marks the end of the canyon
The end of the canyon is just over 1km from the point where you first entered the water
Stay to the left side
This section is walking only
Reach a final deep channel of water
Follow the deep channel into the waterfall pool
Mares Creek Waterfall Pool
Arrive at the waterfall pool at the end of the canyon
The pool has a large boulder in the middle
Swimming through Mares Creek Canyon is one of the highlights of the adventure. The canyon shifts between shallow marble channels, narrow blue-green slots and short deep pools, with each swim revealing more of the cave-like walls around you. The final waterfall pool is the standout, where clear water sits beneath high rock walls and makes the canyon finish feel especially rewarding.
Return
Reverse the canyon route back the same way
Return to the car park beside the Wombeyan Caves Visitor Centre
TRAIL NOTES
The canyon begins immediately in water
The canyon is a return route
A dry bag is needed for items taken into the canyon
There are a couple of swims inside the canyon
Most of the canyon water is shallow
Between pools, there are dry rocky sections
Some sections involve boulder scrambling
Good shoes are recommended
The canyon should not be entered after heavy rain
The canyon should not be entered when rain is forecast
Flash flooding is a risk
The reserve has been affected by flooding and storm events in recent years
Check that the reserve is open before travelling
A section of gravel road begins 14km before reaching the reserve
Currently 8.5km of the road is gravel
The rest of the road is sealed
At time of writing, the road is suitable for any car
Facilities: Toilets, picnic area and a vending machine for hot drinks and snacks at the visitor centre
POST HIKE ACTIVITY
Fig Tree Cave
Fig Tree Cave is a self-guided show cave at Wombeyan Karst Conservation Reserve, making it an easy post-hike add-on after Mares Creek Canyon. The tour is 1.2km return and takes about 1hr, with a moderately steep 500m gravel path to the cave entrance, some steep sections inside, and fewer than 200 steps. The cave includes lit formations such as stalactites, stalagmites, helictites and cave coral, before finishing through Marble Way to Victoria Arch. Bookings are required, and online ticket holders need to collect a token from the visitor centre before walking to the cave entrance.
you can Book HERE
The token can also be purchased at the visitor’s centre.
Ticket Cost: Adult $20 per person. Child/pensioner $13 per person. Senior $17 per person. Family $50 (2 adults and children aged up to 16 years). Multi-cave passes are available.
Park Here: https://maps.app.goo.gl/tDk57uMmcz7maQvU6
As you embark on your adventure, remember to respect and protect the environment. Follow the Leave No Trace Principles: Plan and prepare, hike on durable surfaces, properly dispose of waste, leave nature as you find it, minimize campfire impact, respect wildlife, and be considerate of other visitors and traditional landowners. Your mindful actions help preserve the beauty of Australian National Parks for future generations to enjoy.
RESOURCES
View our hike safety page for information on pre-hike check-lists, hiking equipment, potential hazards & more
Always check Park Alerts for trail closures, road closures or other alerts.