About Wellington Caves
Wellington Caves is a limestone cave system located about 8 km south of Wellington in the Dubbo Region, New South Wales. Managed by Dubbo Regional Council, it includes Cathedral Cave and Gaden Cave, the historic Phosphate Mine and a fossil museum. It is notable for large stalactite and stalagmite formations including the 15-metre Altar, and for internationally significant Pleistocene megafauna fossil deposits found in the caves and mine.
Visitors guide
Visitors can expect guided tours through illuminated limestone chambers with stalactites, stalagmites, flowstones and coral-like formations. Cathedral Cave features the massive Altar stalagmite and large chambers, while Gaden Cave displays delicate cave coral. The site also includes the Phosphate Mine tour with in-situ megafauna fossils, a fossil museum, the Osawano Japanese Garden, picnic grounds, walking tracks and a visitor centre with cafe and shop.
Key highlights
- 01
Cathedral Cave with the 15-metre Altar stalagmite - one of the largest in Australia
- 02
Gaden Cave with delicate aragonite cave coral formations
- 03
Historic Phosphate Mine with in-situ Pleistocene megafauna fossils
- 04
Wellington Caves Fossil Museum and megafauna displays
- 05
Osawano Japanese Garden and landscaped picnic grounds
History of Wellington Caves
Limestone caves first documented by Europeans in the 1820s-1830s and explored by early surveyors. Phosphate mining operated from the early 1900s. The site is internationally significant for Pleistocene megafauna fossil deposits, including extinct marsupials, discovered in cave sediments and the phosphate mine, with ongoing palaeontological research.
Culture & Context
Located on Wiradjuri Country, the caves and surrounding landscape hold significance for Aboriginal heritage. The site is also significant for its natural heritage and scientific value as one of Australia's important fossil localities, and for its historic mining heritage.
Route
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