Holiday houses in Taralga

Set in New South Wales’ Southern Tablelands region, Taralga is a gateway town to Mares Forest National Park and the Wombeyan Caves, a very popular attraction that comprises a cluster of limestone and marble caverns. The park property sits within the Wombeyan Karst Conservation Reserve, whose unique biodiversity includes notable species of birds, wallaby, and wombats.

In Taralga’s compact town centre you’ll find several heritage buildings, such as a brick 1930s Catholic church, as well as a few casual restaurants, a well-stocked general store, and a park with a playground. The village’s early history is on display at the Taralga Historical Museum, which features photographs, documents, and artifacts, as well as a 19th-century cottage. The Hunter Region’s wineries, known for Shiraz, Chardonnay, and Verdelho, are a little over an hour’s drive away.

Taralga’s oceanic climate and high elevation give it somewhat varied weather throughout the year, with cool winters and warm summers. During the spring and fall the weather is often mild during the day and cooler at night with the occasional frost. During the winter, temperatures regularly approach or drop below freezing and it will often snow. The summer is the most popular time of year to visit Taralga due to its adjacency to many parks, hiking areas, and campgrounds. Dozens of artists exhibit their work at the Taralga Art Fair, an annual festival held during the long weekend in June. The festival has been going strong for 19 years and features food vendors and an award ceremony.

Wombeyan Caves

Take in the beauty of these caverns and underground streams decorated in stalagmites and stalactites, as well as other features, that took millions of years to accumulate. Set within the Wombeyan Karst Conservation Reserve, the caves can be explored on foot, and guided tours are available every day. The Fig Tree Cave is a favourite in the park as it’s entirely lit up, allowing visitors to bask in its spectacular beauty.

Taralga Historical Museum

Learn about Taralga’s early history at this museum set in a former stone church. Formed in 1972, the Taralga Historical Museum offers visitors a look into the town’s early pioneer days with its blacksmith structure, colonial-era cottage, and shearing shed, all outfitted with artifacts and furnishings from its 19th-century beginnings.

Mares Forest National Park

Explore unique habitats and beautiful landscapes while hiking the trails at Mares Forest National Park. The Mares Forest Creek walking track takes visitors on a 1.6-kilometre hike that winds through kurrajong trees and yellow box gum trees populated with myriad bird species unique to the area. The trail brings hikers to Tinted Cave, which is the only cavern of the Wombeyan Caves that does not require a guide.