Type

Picnic areas

Where

Borenore Karst Conservation Reserve in Country NSW

Accessibility

Medium

Opening times

Borenore picnic area is open from 9am to 7pm every day, but may have to close at times due to poor weather or fire danger.

Please note

• Watch out for low roof levels or you may bump your head
• Water levels in caves may rise very quickly during rain and thunderstorms. You should always check the expected weather conditions before entering any of the caves. If rain is predicted, you should consider putting off your cave trip till another day.
• The ground in the cave can be slippery, so take care, wear sturdy shoes and take a torch
• The oil on our skin alters the way stalactites and stalagmites grow and can even change the colour of the rock, so please look but don’t touch
• Please do not damage or remove rocks from the area

The large grassy space at Borenore picnic area is a perfect place for the kids to run around before a picnic lunch.

Bring a picnic rug to lay out under the shade of one of the trees, or you can set up at one of the picnic tables. If you’ve driven along the Borenore trail before arriving at the caves, you’ll definitely have some tasty things to cook up on the reserve’s barbecues.

After you’ve enjoyed a picnic lunch at Borenore, the walk to Arch Cave is a must. It’s an easy walk and it's a good idea to take a torch with you so the kids can get a close up view of the stalactites and stalagmites in the cavern. In summer, the caves offer some respite from the hot day and they’re also home to a range of creatures, so keep your eyes peeled.

For directions, safety and practical information, see visitor info

Visitor info

Maps and downloads

Learn more

Aboriginal connections

The permanent flow of Boree creek and the reliable shelter of caves meant that this area was used for thousands of years by the Wiradyuri people. In fact, the name 'Borenore' is believed to be derived from two Wiradyuri words: bora which means ceremony and nora nora meaning shelf or overhanging rock. The reserve remains an important place for Aboriginal people today and protects a number of ancient sites, including Arch Cave which is highly significant for local Aboriginal women as a maternity site.

From limestone to marble

Marvel at the stalactites and stalagmites at Borenore Karst Conservation Reserve. The karst or limestone, as it is better known in the reserve, probably began life as limey mud and coral reefs some 390-400 million years ago when the area was located off the east coast of Australia. Around 12 million years ago, nearby Mount Canobolas spewed lava over the limestone, turning it into marble. Borenore marble, known as Borenore Red, was used in many public buildings in Sydney, including Transport House in Macquarie Street, and countless marble fireplaces.

Mystical adventure

Home to the ancient Arch Cave, Borenore Karst Conservation Reserve harbours a whole world that thrives in the dark. Light up your head torch and marvel at the stalactites and stalagmites. Listen to the drips of water around you that keep the air moist, the perfect breeding ground for the mosses and lichen surrounding the entrance. The musky smell you will notice is the tell-tale sign that bats are about as the caves are a precious home to these protected species.

Protecting the precious

Borenore Karst Conservation Reserve plays a special role in the preservation of some of Australia's precious native flora and fauna. A haven for birds, the park is home to thornbills, honeyeaters, kookaburras, magpies, treecreepers, weebills and more. Another special flying creature finding protection here is the eastern bent-winged bat, a threatened species that spends the winter hibernating in Tunnel Cave, before emerging in spring ready to migrate. Borenore Karst Conservation Reserve also contains the endangered box gum woodland vegetation community.