The Cave Creek Track takes you through a pretty gully, past giant sandstone overhangs and finishes at something special: a cave waterfall. The waterfall is really atmospheric and it’s the kind of spot that invites you to linger.
The walk is fairly easy, although the path can be rough at points. It’s nothing hairy - but it’s not maintained in the same way national park trails are.
Here’s everything you need to know about the Cave Creek Walking Track.
The Cave Creek Walking Track
The stats
Distance: 2.6km return (including the tunnel detour)
Elevation gained: 100m
Difficulty: Easy - moderate
Starting the trail
From the car park you head into the bush on a stony path. The track begins descending almost straight away, it’s not that steep, but you do notice it a bit on the way back up from the gully.
The path is rocky, but it wasn’t slippery despite the fact we were walking after rain.
If you are lucky enough to do this walk in spring you will be treated to an array of wildflowers along both sides of the trail.
After around 550m, the track flattens out and also becomes smooth and sandy. This section of bush is pretty charred, and whilst there is plenty of green regrowth, the black trunks make it a sobering place to walk through.
On to the cave tunnel
As you wander along the sandy path you’ll come to a charred tree trunk which has a smiley face carved into it, it’s 780m into the walk.
You’ll notice a side trail to the left and come to a set of metal stairs after 20m. It’s a little overgrown, but still very easy to get through and within minutes you’ll be standing at the entrance to a cave.
We walked a short distance into the mouth of the cave, but decided not to venture too far in as the water levels were relatively high.
You can see light at the end of the cave and it looks like you would be able to walk all the way through, but the opening at the other end comes out on top of the waterfall, so you can’t make it out that way.
We retraced our steps back to the main path after having a quick look.
Continuing to the waterfall
Once you’re back on the main trail you have about 100m before the track begins to descend again. It’s narrower and steeper and does have a few rocks to climb over.
There clearly used to be a handrail here, but it must have fallen into disrepair.
As mentioned though, whilst it’s far from smooth, it’s actually not slippery. There are a few trees down over the track, but they are also easy to manoeuvre around.
It’s less than 100m before the path flattens again and you get to the best bit of the walk. It begins with traversing a narrow path along a huge overhang.
There are so many giant luminous green ferns to your right and the whole gully has a wild feel. It’s a beautiful part of the track and a real delight to walk through.
Once you’re past the overhang (1.3km into the walk) you’ll come to a tiny creek crossing. No doubt, it’s usually very low, but it was around top of your boots level on our visit.
Even then it was easy to slosh through the water a little before picking up the path again for the last 50m up the creek to the waterfall.
Arriving at Cave Creek Falls
The cave waterfall is definitely a worthy end to the walk. It cascades from a small hole in the cave and down into the overhang, with a pretty coloured pool at the base.
After heavy rain the water is green, but normally it is a lovely shade of blue.
Either way it looks great and it’s a wonderfully secluded spot. The overhang itself would be an atmospheric place to visit and the waterfall makes it extra special.
There are lots of boulders to sit on so you can relax by the water. Just watch out for a couple of giant holes near the rocks which you definitely don’t want to accidentally fall into!
Once you’re ready, you retrace your steps along the same trail. It is mainly uphill and whilst not overly steep, you probably will feel it a little.
Getting to the trailhead
The track is located in the Bargo State Conservation Area. It’s around 20km and a 25 minute drive from Bowral and just over 15 minutes from Mittagong.
The car park is beside the picnic area which also has long drop toilets.
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