Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
EXPLORING THE CAVES
Nine caves are open for exploration, with guided tours operated by Jenolan
Caves Reserves Trust ( & 02/6359 3311; www.jenolancaves.org.au). The first
cave tour starts at 10am weekdays and 9:30am weekends and holidays. The final
tour departs at 4:30pm (5pm in warmer months). Tours last 1 to 2 hours, and
each costs between A$15 and A$22 (US$9.75-US$14) for adults, and between
A$10 and A$15 (US$6.50-US$9.75) for children under 15. Family concessions
and multiple cave packages are available. The best all-around cave is Lucas
Cave; Imperial Cave is best for seniors. Adventure Cave Tours, which include
canyoning, last from 3 hours to a full day and cost from A$55 to A$188
(US$36-US$122) per person.
WHERE TO STAY
The Gatehouse Jenolan The Gatehouse is a clean and cozy budget-style
lodge, with a separate cottage nearby. It's opposite the caves. The Gatehouse
sleeps 66 people in all, in seven six-bed rooms and six four-bed rooms in the main
building. The cottage can accommodate up to four couples. There are also two
common rooms, lockers, washing machines and dryers, and kitchen facilities.
There are outdoor barbecues on the premises, and apparently at least one ghost.
Jenolan Caves Village, NSW 2790. & 02/6359 3322. Fax 02/6359 3227. 13 units. Weekend rates: 4-person
dorm room A$90 (US$59); 6-person dorm room A$120 (US$78). Weekday rates: 4-person dorm room A$60
(US$40), 6-person dorm room A$80 (US$52). Linen A$3.30 (US$2.15) per person. AE, MC, V. Amenities: Coin-
op laundry.
Jenolan Caves House This heritage-listed hotel was built between 1888
and 1906 and is one of the most outstanding structures in New South Wales. The
main part of the enormous three-story building is made of sandstone and fash-
ioned in Tudor-style black and white. Around it are several cottages and former
servants quarters. Rooms vary within the main house from simple budget bunk
rooms, to “traditional” rooms with shared bathrooms and “classic” rooms with
private bathrooms. The traditional and classic rooms are old-world and cozy, with
heavy furniture and views over red-tile rooftops or steep slopes. “Mountain
lodge” rooms are in a building behind the main house and are more motel-like.
Jenolan Caves Village, NSW 2790. & 02/6359 3322. Fax 02/6359 3227. www.jenolancaves.com. 101 units,
some with bathroom. Weekend rates: Classic A$255 (US$166), grand classic A$225 (US$146), traditional
A$125 (US$81), mountain lodge A$145 (US$94). Weekday rates: Classic A$185 (US$120), grand classic
A$165 (US$107), traditional A$95 (US$62), mountain lodge A$105 (US$68). Additional person A$60 (US$39).
Family rooms and suites also available. AE, DC, MC, V. Amenities: 2 restaurants; bar; tour desk; nonsmoking
rooms. In room:TV, coffeemaker, hair dryer.
2 The Hunter Valley: Wine Tasting & More ¡
Cessnock: 190km (118 miles) N of Sydney
The Hunter Valley (or the Hunter as it's also called) is the oldest commercial
wine-producing area in Australia, as well as a major site for coal mining. Interna-
tionally acclaimed wines have poured out of here since the early 1800s. Though
the region falls behind the major wine-producing areas of Victoria in terms of
volume, it has the convenient advantage of being just 2 hours from Sydney.
People come here to visit the vineyards' “cellar doors” for free wine tasting, to
enjoy the scenery, to sample the area's highly regarded cuisine, or to escape from
the city for a romantic weekend. The whole area is dedicated to the grape and the
plate, and you'll find many superb restaurants amid the vineyards and farmland.
 
Search WWH ::




Custom Search