Cooleman offers numerous holes and caves for exploration — some need a permit, others have no restrictions. It’s in Kosciuszko National Park and open only during the summer months, closed between the June and October long weekends as snow, rain and 4WDers can badly damage the road. The reward is a beautiful alpine setting with grass plains and three limestone gorges, holding caves including River Cave, Murrays Cave, Black Range Cave (site of a current NUCC surveying project), Cooleman Cave(s), Barbers Cave, White Fish Cave, Easter Cave, Clown Cave and Glop Pot.
Getting there
The drive is a comfortable 3.5 hours from Canberra via Cooma and Adaminaby (whose bakery is excellent). Turn off the Snowy Mountains Highway onto Long Plain Road, between the two Yarrangobilly Caves turnoffs, then follow the signposted dirt road to Blue Waterholes campground — NUCC usually camps at Magpie Flat, slightly before it. Boboyan Road or Brindabella Road are alternative approaches, though Brindabella Road can involve serious four-wheel driving on slick mud.
Facilities
A nice campground in a spectacular setting, with a pit toilet and fireplaces. It’s worth the walk to the waterfall even if you’re not caving at White Fish or Barbers. The area currently has a feral horse problem, so watch where you pitch your tent, and it gets very busy on weekends (though still pleasant underground, away from the crowds).