Quick FactsOverview
About Yarrangobilly Caves Thermal Pool
Yarrangobilly Caves Thermal Pool, Australia is a natural spring-fed outdoor swimming pool within Kosciuszko National Park in the Snowy Mountains of New South Wales, reachable via a short 700-metre walk from the Thermal Pool carpark at Yarrangobilly Caves. The pool is fed by a spring approximately one kilometre below the surface, maintaining a constant 27 degrees Celsius year-round. Entry to the pool is free, though a vehicle day fee applies at Yarrangobilly Caves for cars without a Kosciuszko National Park pass.
The main pool is 20 metres long and up to 2.5 metres deep, with a natural rock base. It overflows into a smaller wading pool below, making it suitable for families with younger children. Change rooms, toilets, and a picnic area sit adjacent to the pool at the base of the valley. The setting is a steep-sided limestone valley alongside the Yarrangobilly River, surrounded by tall eucalyptus forest.
The pool sits within a broader attraction that includes six limestone show caves, walking tracks along the Yarrangobilly River, and wildlife including platypus. For visitors interested in natural hot springs in Australia set within a national park, this is one of the few examples in the Snowy Mountains and a natural complement to a cave tour or river walk.
Location & Access
Getting to Yarrangobilly Caves Thermal Pool
Yarrangobilly Caves Thermal Pool is reached from the Thermal Pool carpark at the end of Yarrangobilly Caves Road, which branches off the Snowy Mountains Highway between Tumut and Cooma. From Tumut the drive is approximately 75 kilometres and takes around one hour. From Cooma the distance is approximately 115 kilometres and takes around 90 minutes. The Yarrangobilly Caves entrance road is graded gravel, suitable for 2WD and 4WD vehicles up to 12.5 metres in length, though road authorities do not recommend it for caravans.
From the carpark, a 700-metre track descends steeply into the Rules Creek Valley to the pool, taking roughly 10 to 15 minutes. The return climb is steeper. There is no wheelchair access; the track is steep and unpaved. A vehicle day fee of $4 applies for cars without a Kosciuszko National Park annual pass. For those searching for hot springs near Tumut within a national park, Yarrangobilly is the closest accessible option in the Snowy Mountains.
The Yarrangobilly Caves Visitor Centre is at 50 Yarrangobilly Caves Road, open daily 9am to 5pm except Christmas Day. Snow chains are recommended for all vehicles between the June and October long weekends. Mobile reception is limited in the valley. The pool carpark is accessible before the visitor centre opens, but vehicle fee payment should be arranged on arrival.
Suitability & Accessibility
Suitability at Yarrangobilly Caves Thermal Pool
Yarrangobilly Caves Thermal Pool suits families, bushwalkers, and day-trippers who are comfortable with a short but steep 700-metre walk to reach the pool, as the terrain is the main barrier rather than the swim itself. The pool has a shallow wading section for children and a deeper main pool for adults, making it suitable for a range of ages and swimming abilities. For visitors interested in family hot springs near Tumut in a natural national park setting, this is one of the only options in the Snowy Mountains region that combines a thermal soak with cave tours and bushwalking.
Wheelchair access to the pool is not available; the descent track is steep and unpaved, and the managing authority confirms no accessible route to the pool exists. Visitors with mobility limitations should contact the Yarrangobilly Caves Visitor Centre in advance to discuss what may be available elsewhere in the area.
The water temperature at 27 degrees Celsius is warm rather than hot, more comparable to a heated swimming pool than a traditional hot spring or artesian bore bath. Visitors expecting a very hot soak may find the temperature mild, while those who prefer a comfortable swim in a natural setting will find it well suited to longer sessions. The pool is open year-round, and winter visits offer the added atmosphere of steam rising from the surface when the surrounding air is cold. Geothermal pools in Australia of this type are uncommon at this altitude and in this landscape.
Safety & Etiquette
Yarrangobilly Caves Thermal Pool Safety Tips
Yarrangobilly Caves Thermal Pool requires care on approach, as the main safety consideration is the steep 700-metre descent track from the carpark rather than the pool itself. The track is unpaved and descends sharply into the valley. Visitors should wear appropriate footwear, and the climb back up requires more effort than the descent. No handrail is present at the steps near the change rooms. The pool water is at a constant 27 degrees Celsius and is generally safe for swimming, though no lifeguard is on site.
Mobile reception is limited or absent in the valley. Visitors should inform someone of their plans and estimated return time, particularly outside peak season when fewer visitors are present. The alpine location means weather can change quickly, and the access road may close in extreme weather. Snow chains are recommended for all vehicles between the June and October long weekends.
Children should be supervised at all times. The main pool reaches 2.5 metres in depth, and the lower wading pool is shallower and more suitable for younger children. Pets are not permitted in the national park pool area. Visitors should not drink from the spring-fed pool, as the water is not treated as potable.
Standard national park etiquette applies. No glass is permitted in the pool area, all rubbish must be removed, and visitors should stay on marked tracks to protect the limestone karst landscape. There is little shade around the pool at midday so applying sunscreen before arrival is advisable. Visitors planning to combine the pool with cave tours should allow sufficient time for the return walk from the pool.
