Australia’s answer to Japan’s onsens is hiding in NSW

By Eleni Harakidas

If you’ve ever soaked in the soothing waters of an onsen in Japan and are longing for a taste of it now, we’ve found just the thing.

Picture this: you’re soaking in an outdoor thermal pool – the water is a balmy 27 degrees Celsius – steam rises slowly, and a blanket of snow covers the valley and surrounding mountain peaks. It’s not Japan. You’re in Australia’s highest mountain range, floating in Yarrangobilly thermal pool, hidden within Kosciuszko National Park.

A natural thermal pool, fed by a spring around one kilometre below the surface, sounds like a dream. It might feel like one too, as the pools are often accompanied by platypuses and water dragons. Reaching 2.5 metres deep and 20 metres long, the Yarrangobilly thermal pool offers a unique experience and one that will be hard to forget.

Yarrangobilly thermal pool

In winter, the steaming waters and snow-blanketed surroundings will transport you to Japan. (Image: Getty Images/Katharina13)

In the summer, this pool might be a cool escape from the heat, but in winter, the steaming waters and snow-blanketed surroundings will instantly transport you to Japan. It’s no secret Australians are obsessed with the island country (nearly 1 million of us visited Japan in 2024), but we especially love their onsen culture, the ancient practice of bathing in natural hot springs, without clothes and often experienced during a stay at a ryokan (a Japanese inn). Just be sure to keep your clothes on at Yarrangobilly. But you absolutely can bask in the pool’s heated waters as you’re transported to an unexpected winter wonderland. With a picnic area, change rooms, and bathrooms that are easily accessible, this pool is easily one of Australia’s most under-the-radar winter experiences.

Depending on the time of day, Yarrangobilly’s local animals can put on quite a display. Nearby to the pool lies the Yarrangobilly River, where you might spot lyrebirds, superb blue wrens, crimson rosellas, and king parrots bouncing between trees. Closer to the ground, waddling wombats and lazing water dragons can be seen throughout the park. If you didn’t catch a look at a platypus by the thermal pools, you might get one (only during sunrise or sunset hours!) surfacing the river to briefly say hello. Better yet, if you look closely, you might spot tiny critters—the endangered smoky mouse—who are rare sights, but impossibly cute and worth spotting.

What are the Yarrangobilly Caves?

There are six caves at Yarrangobilly, too. (Image: Destination NSW)

The thermal pool isn’t the only reason to visit. There are six breathtaking caves to explore, too! Yarrangobilly Caves are exquisitely decorated with natural stalagmites, stalactites and cave corals. These 440-million-year-old caves are strikingly unique and open to visitors year-round.

The largest in its region, the South Glory Cave, lets you soak in its grandeur at your own pace, with self-guided tours available to the general public. Fancy an official tour? Visit the Jersey and Jillabenan Caves for a 90-minute walk-through, where your personal, expert tour guide will unravel the history and secrets of this natural phenomenon. Ancient formations, intimidating overhead crystals and alluring limestone structures await inside these prehistoric wonders.

How do you get there?

Bask in Yarrangobilly thermal pool’s heated waters. (Image: Getty Images/Katharina13)

The Yarrangobilly Caves and thermal pool can be reached from a few points in New South Wales, but these are the recommended routes.

From Cooma, travel south for around seven kilometres until you reach the Snowy Mountains Highway. Continue for approximately 110 kilometres and turn left into the Yarrangobilly Caves Entrance Road.

From the Hume Highway (outside of Canberra/Ngambri), take the Tumut exit and follow the Gocup Road to Tumut. There, you can find the Snowy Mountains Highway and continue on for 110 kilometres to find the Yarrangobilly Caves Entrance Road to the left.

How much does entry cost?

In the summer, this pool is a cool escape from the heat. (Image: Jpatokal)

If you plan on spending the day (of which I highly recommend), the Yarrangobilly Caves entry is $4 per vehicle, with an additional $22 per adult and $18 per concession.

True to its name–derived from the Indigenous term yarangu-bili, meaning “flowing stream”–Yarrangobilly offers a range of flowing waters. Whether that’s underground, in the water, or along scenic trails, these waters bring true meaning to Yarrangobilly. Whether you’re exploring the atmospheric caves, spotting curious wildlife, or soaking in the dreamy onsen-like thermal pool, Yarrangobilly’s natural wonders are definitely worth the trip. Be prepared to add this to your brag list, because the Yarrongobilly experience doesn’t get any better than that.