Jenolan Caves were known to the local Aboriginal population for many thousands of years as Binoomea, ‘Dark places’. European involvement in the area began in 1838 with the first recorded discovery by a local pastoralist James Whalan. According to legend however, Whalan was not the first European to set eyes on the caves, with that honour going to James McKeown, an ex-convict and possibly an outlaw, reputed to have been using the caves as a hideout. By the 1880’s, the caves had become a tourist attraction, with electric lighting, pathways and steps being installed.

Today the caves are still a popular tourist destination with 9 ‘show’ caves open to the public for tours - Lucas Cave, Imperial Cave, Chifley Cave, Orient Cave, Temple of Baal Cave, River Cave, Jubilee Cave, Ribbon Cave and Pool of Cerberus Cave. Other caves are open for adventure caving and research.

The Caves are located 2.5 hrs drive west of Sydney via the M4 motorway & the Great Western Highway.

The site is also home to Jenolan Caves House a grand hotel which is on the NSW State Heritage Register. See 'Jenolan Caves House'.

Other cave systems in the area include Abercrombie Caves, Borenore Caves and Wombeyan Caves. All sites are controlled & managed by the Jenolan Caves Reserve Trust.