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BUNGONIA GORGE.
Bungonia State Conservation Area covers a strip of the Southern Tablelands from the spectacular limestone country east of Marulan, southwards along the escarpment to the west of the Shoalhaven River.
Central to the area is the Bungonia Gorge - a deep chasm carved in the limestone rocks, which themselves are full of limestone caves.
The area was once part of the ocean floor (which is where the limestone formed) and was uplifted at the time the Great Dividing Range was formed.
Bungonia is on the edge of the geological Sydney Basin and the landforms are the result of erosion of the overlaying sandstone by the Shoalhaven River, leaving mountains and ridges of shale and limestone, caves, and exposing fossils.
Bungonia is one of NSW's oldest conservation reserves; sections of it were first protected as a water reserve as early as 1872.
But it was the spectacular scenery which attracted visitors in the late 19th century, and the magnificence of the caves which appealed to sightseers and speleologists alike, and in 1902 further land was reserved to preserve them.
The caves, however, are as steep and precipitous as the surrounding landscape - hence unsuitable for tourism like other caves (Wombeyan, Jenolan) - and only well equipped, experienced cavers should attempt to explore them.
(The photo above shows limestone mining activity at Marulan, which has been carried on for over half a century. The mine will be eventually revegetated and returned to wilderness.)
Today Bungonia State Recreation Reserve is a natural wilderness area maintained by the NSW Parks & Wildlife Service and you don't need to be an explorer or adventurer to enjoy it.
The recreation area can be reached via sealed roads from Goulburn, or from the Freeeway at Marulan. Access is via all-weather road from Bungonia village.
The NPWS Information Centre is located just inside the entrance.
Advice and information on camping, bushwalking and caving are available, plus maps and environmental information.
There is also a public phone (coin or card operation).
Persons engaging in rock sports or bushwalking must register at the office.
Please bring correct coins for the pass machine located in front of the park office.
(This fee is exempt if a vehicle has a Park Pass. For information regarding park passes please phone 1300 361 967 or via website: www.nationalparks.nsw.gov.au or email info@npws.nsw.gov.au
The following are not permitted in the recreation reserve:
Commercial Tour Operators must be licensed by the National Parks and Wildlife service for this park.
For further information contact Mr. Hahn, Nowra office - (02) 4423 2170.
National Parks & Wildlife Service
838 Lookdown Road,
Bungonia NSW 2580
Fax: (02) 4844 4331
Recorded information: (02) 4844 4341
Last updated 20/6/07
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LIMESTONE CAVES. BUNGONIA STATE CONSERVATION AREA VISITORS INFORMATION 
RESTRICTIONS TO ACCESS COMMERCIAL TOUR OPERATORS 
For more information contact: Phone: (02) 4844 4277 Further information about the National Parks & Wildlife Service can be found on their website: www.environment.nsw.gov.au.
Information courtesy of NPWS, Bungonia SCA. Information listed here was correct at time of publication, subject to change without notice. For latest news please contact the the office or recorded information phone line.