Wee Jasper (“Wee J”) caves are quite well known, and with their proximity to Canberra, they receive a lot of visitors every year — as a consequence, many cave decorations have been damaged, though some pretty sections remain and should be looked after. These caves are easy for beginners to try abseiling and prusiking in-cave. The primary accessible sport caves are Dip Cave, Gong Cave, Punchbowl Cave, Signature Cave and Dogleg Cave. Many other caves are on private land and not generally accessible. There’s also a tourist showcave nearby, Careys Cave, worth a visit if you’ve never been to Wee J before.
Getting there
Access is via Mountain Creek Road from Canberra, usually about a 1.5 hr drive. Sawyers Gully Road is an interesting (longer) alternative — don’t try Doctors Flat Road, which is closed partway due to private property. NUCC generally camps at the Fitzpatrick Trackhead of the Hume and Hovell Walking Track, on Wee Jasper Road just past its junction with Nottingham Road — quieter than the riverfront camping, which can be packed on long weekends and in summer. From Sydney, the best access is via Yass and the Taemas Bridge.
Facilities
Camping areas are provided around the caves, administered by Wee Jasper Reserves. Camping fees are $15pp per night, plus a $2pp cave day-use charge. Toilets and BBQs are provided at some campgrounds, with some showers and drinking water outlets too — though not all water is potable, and some comes straight from the Goodradigbee. Smaller parties can just rock up; larger groups should book ahead.