Arch Cave is Orange’s most accessible adventure, yet it still feels wild and remote. It might not have beautiful formations like you’d find in a show cave, but what it does have are gorgeous arches and lots of picturesque openings, which make it very special. How much of the cave you see will depend on what kind of experience you’re looking for.
There’s an easy route in, up a well maintained staircase, or a more exciting option which involves a bit of light scrambling. Whichever route you choose, visiting Arch Cave is an absolute must and was one of the highlights of our trip to Orange.
The Arch Cave Walk
The stats
Distance: 500m return or 1km loop
Elevation gained: 20m
Difficulty: Easy - moderate, depending on which route you choose
The distance of the walk will depend slightly on which route you choose, but all options are less than 1km. Our route was just under 1km, but we’ll note below how to shorten it if preferred.
If you only want to see the maintained route into the main chamber, you will walk for around 500m in total.
It’s worth noting that we visited after heavy rain, which is why the water looks brown, it’s actually a pretty shade of blue at any other time, so expect it to be even more beautiful in there!
Entering the first cavern
From the car park, you head over the little bridge and then left towards the cave. It’s just 170m from the car park to the adventurous route into the cave.
After following the flat trail you’ll arrive at the towering cliff walls and see a path to your right and left.
The left path is the route we took through the cave, but you could head right up the staircase and straight into the main cave, which is an easier option.
The left route
The right route
The left track
If you head left, you’ll walk down into a more open part of the cave, beside the river.
It can get a bit muddy after rain and will require a little more care to climb down the rocks (which only takes a minute) to get onto the sandy cave floor, as they do become a little slippery. In dry conditions there would be no issues.
Once you’re here you can look back at the huge arches which form the top of the cave.
Depending on the water levels you can then either easily walk around to the next part of the cave along the sand, or climb over a few boulders - which is the route we took as the water would have flooded our boots.
Once over the easy boulder scramble, you’ll see a picturesque arch and it was a great spot to watch as the swallows swooped in and out of the cave. It was incredibly atmospheric and would be even more so when the water is its usual attractive colour!
You can then follow the river right, over a little rocky path and out to a huge cave opening. It’s completely unexpected and looks amazing!
For us this section was 120m long, but that was with a little meandering.
Into the main cave
From the cavern opening you have to skirt the side of the cave, along a rocky ‘path’. It can be slippery when wet, so just go carefully, although it is not very high, you do have a drop to your left straight into the river.
It’s not difficult by any means, but we took it slowly as it was soaking wet and a little muddy. Within a couple of minutes you’ll climb uphill slightly to your right and see an opening into a dark cave.
There is a short handrail to climb up into the cave which makes it feel nice and secure.
Looking back from here offers yet another incredible view. From this point on you will need a torch to explore the cave as you start to stray a little further from the natural light.
There is one very short, potentially slippery part to climb up, where a sturdy metal chain has been installed to help you.
As it was really wet I actually found it easier to avoid this bit by walking to the left where it was drier. There were footholds and it wasn’t slippery, making it easy to get into the main chamber.
This is where you’l find the stalactites and stalagmites, but as mentioned they are a sort of browny orange and not spectacular like you’d find somewhere like Jenolan Caves.
It’s a great little chamber to explore though, it’s not very big, but there are a few nooks and crannies.
Completing the loop
From the main chamber you’ll see a little opening on your right and this takes you to the main cave entrance. You’ll see the steps down to the walking trail and you could head down and be back at the car park within minutes.
Alternatively you could retrace your steps to the other entrance, where the chain and handrail were, and out onto the remaining part of the loop walk.
The walk is through the bush, and pleasant without being spectacular. The path back to the car park is 600m. It’s not a must by any means, but nice enough if you feel like a little bush stroll. It’s all either flat or downhill.
Getting to Arch Cave
The walk to Arch Cave begins at the Borenore picnic area in the Borenore Karst Conservation Reserve, just 16km and less than a 20 minute drive from Orange. The final part of the road is unsealed, but suitable for any cars at time of writing.
Once at the reserve there are also picnic tables and a second walking trail to Verandah Cave, which we give more details on here.
The Borenore Karst Conservation Reserve is open from 9am to 7pm every day.
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