David Smith

David has always been an avid outdoors man, loving the wide open spaces and the freedom that brings. Thinking he may like to pursue a career as a park ranger or similar after leaving school, he saw a job advertised for a cave tour guide and took the adventurist opportunity and moved his family to the grounds of Wombeyan Caves to begin his career with National Parks. David is now the manager of both Wombeyan and Abercrombie Caves with National Parks and Wildlife.

The caves are believed to be over 400 million years old, made of Silurian Marble they are truly spectacular and rival many cave systems around Australia. Attracting over 27,000 tourists from all over, Wombeyan offers five caves, four of which are seen through guided tours and one is self-guided, you can expect to see stalagmites and stalactites, running streams, pools and back lit shawls as you explore the deep and expansive cave system.

The reserve also provides visitors with over 8km of bush walking tracks providing stunning views of the landscape and an abundance of flora and fauna, the limestone canyon is a great place to cool off and enjoy a swim in this beautiful natural swimming hole located off Mares Forest Creek walking trail.

Wombeyan will not disappoint when it comes to the wildlife, there are plenty of opportunities to see kangaroos, wombats and a beautiful array of birds around the grounds of the park.

The park has comfortable cabins and camping options of either powered or unpowered sites if you wish to stay a night or two, pack the marshmallows and enjoy a seat around the campfire, gaze at the night sky lit up by the plentiful stars, there is also a kiosk on site providing guests with coffee, pies, snacks and the basic camping supplies to ensure your stay is comfortable.

It’s obvious when talking to David that he loves the Tablelands and the natural beauty it has to offer, including the old world charm of the blue stone buildings in Taralga, which caught his eye on his first trip there. He loves the fact there is no mobile service at Wombeyan “you truly switch off when you are here, it’s quiet and peaceful, you can see the wildlife up close and I’m surrounded by these spectacular caves”.

• visit website
• meet more locals