One of Australia’s most iconic tourist destinations will remain closed for between 18 months and two years after severe flooding destroyed the only road leading to the area.
The Jenolan Caves site closed indefinitely in March after record rainfall and flooding destroyed the only access road to the spectacular limestone caves three hours’ drive west of Sydney.
Now Transport for NSW has confirmed that 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 that closed its doors on April 25, will not reopen until 2026.
Jenolan Caves Reserve Trust, which oversees the site, announced a series of Updates will also be included in the maintenance.
The Jenolan Caves, a heritage site, will feature a boardwalk on the Blue Lake and its slopesTrails and visitor parking are being improved.
Caves House will have an upgraded guest arrival area, with private bathrooms added to guest rooms, improved accessibility, and a renovated Great Dining Room and 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 with school trips and nature-loving tourists for years.
Jenolan Caves House in the Blue Mountains region of New South Wales closed on April 25 and will not reopen until 2026
Major road repairs are needed to restore the area after storms, fires and floods left it unsafe for visitors.
The writer Agatha Christie spent a night there in 1922 and wrote:The Hotel (or Cave House as they call it) is right in the heart of the mountains… I could have spent a week there with complete peace of mind.
Jenolan Caves Reserve Trust acting director Andrew Le Lievre confirmed repairs would begin in August.
“Repairs to the only road into Jenolan Caves are essential and we look forward to welcoming our guests back as soon as possible,” Le Lievre said in a statement. The Blue Mountains Gazette.
‘We have been welcoming visitors to Jenolan and our internationally acclaimed display caves for over 100 years.
“When we reopen, guests will enjoy a modernized facility and restored safe road access.”
Jenolan Caves Road will be closed, which authorities warned could be…‘inconvenience to motorists and the community’.
The construction company McIlwain was selected to oversee the project. In a competitive tender process, said Acting Director of Transport for New South Wales West Damien Pfeiffer.
The company is carrying out slope remediation works on the nearby Hampton section of Jenolan Caves Road.
“Two Mile suffered substantial damage during the 2021 and 2022 rainfall events that wreaked havoc across regional New South Wales,” Pfeiffer said.
Thousands of tourists and school groups visit the adjacent cave network annually.
The house, which has been declared a historic heritage site, was built in 1898 and writer Agatha Christie spent a night there in 1922, writing: “I could have spent a week there in perfect peace.”
He added that “the complex work will be carried out by teams in difficult terrain” and that a full 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 inconvenient to motorists and the community, but we want to emphasize that upon completion of this remedial work, Two Mile will return to pre-flood pavement conditions,” Pfeiffer said.
To prevent future flooding from causing the same damage, Transport for NSW has upgraded the area. Drainage infrastructure and new curbs and gutters were added.
Motorists have been advised to avoid the area in the meantime and check traffic updates. online.
