REASON ICONIC AUSSIE LANDMARK IS SHUTTING ITS DOORS

• Jenolan Caves House remains closed
• Expected to reopen to the public in 2026
• READ MORE: Australia's iconic Jenolan Caves shuts down 'indefinitely' 

One of Australia's most iconic tourist destinations will remain closed for 18 months to two years after severe floods destroyed the only road into the area over the summer. 

The Jenolan Caves precinct closed indefinitely in March after record-breaking rains and flooding destroyed the only access road to the spectacular limestone caves three hours drive west of Sydney.

Now Transport for NSW has confirmed essential road repairs to return the ‘Two Mile’ section of Jenolan Caves Road to full capacity will begin in August 2024. 

Jenolan Caves House, the century-old hotel on the site which closed down on April 25, will not re-open until 2026.

Jenolan Caves Reserve Trust, which oversees the precinct, announced a number of upgrades will also be included in the maintenance. 

The heritage-listed Jenolan Caves will have a Blue Lake Boardwalk installed and its tracks, trails and visitor's car park upgraded in the works.

Caves House itself will have its guest arrival area upgraded, ensuites added to the guest rooms, improved accessibility and a refurbished Grand Dining Room, Jeremiah's Bar and lounge.

The house, which is a three-hour drive from Canberra and Sydney, was built in 1898 and has been a favourite of school tours and nature-loving tourists for years. 

Author Agatha Christie spent a night there in 1922 and wrote: 'The Hotel (or Cave House as it is called) is right in the heart of the mountains... I could have spent a week there quite happily.' 

Acting director of Jenolan Caves Reserve Trust, Andrew Le Lievre, confirmed repairs would begin in August.  

'The repairs to the only road into Jenolan Caves are essential and we look forward to welcoming back our guests as soon as possible,' Mr Le Lievre said in the Blue Mountains Gazette. 

'We have been welcoming visitors to Jenolan and our internationally acclaimed show caves for more than 100 years. 

'When we open our doors again, guests will enjoy a modernised precinct and restored safe road access.'

Jenolan Caves Road will be closed which authorities warned may be of 'inconvenience to motorists and the community'.

Construction company McIlwain was selected to oversee the project in a competitive tender process, Transport for NSW Acting Director West, Damien Pfeiffer, said.

The company is delivering slope remediation at the nearby Hampton section of Jenolan Caves Road.

'The Two Mile was substantially damaged during the 2021 and 2022 rain events which wrought havoc across regional NSW,' Mr Pfeiffer said.

He added that the 'complex work will be carried out by crews on difficult terrain' and that a complete road closure was required 'to keep everyone safe'.

'We are working closely with Jenolan Caves House to determine the timing of this closure which we know will be an inconvenience to motorists and the community, but we want to emphasise that at the completion of this remediation work, Two Mile will be restored to pre-flood pavement conditions,' Mr Pfeiffer said.

To prevent the same damage being caused by future floods, Transport for NSW upgraded the area's drainage infrastructure and added new kerbs and guttering.

Motorists have been encouraged to avoid the area in the meantime and check for traffic updates online.

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2024-07-17T05:01:50Z