Jenolan Caves is a major tourist destination attracting over 200,000 cave visits per year, many of whom stop in the Blue Mountains and other adjoining areas to purchase fuel, meals, accommodation or other activities.

 

Jenolan Caves has a pull-through effect drawing visitors into the region, many of whom then move on to visit Oberon, Bathurst and other inland areas of NSW.

 

Expenditure at Jenolan generates increased activity in the regional economy. Using a conservative multiplier of 2 the economic impact of the destination to the region would be $15m with the attraction component of the operation contributing $7.6m to the local economy.

The caves are a significant employer (over 100 staff) with the majority of staff coming from Lithgow, Oberon, Bathurst and Blue Mountains council areas. In the 2008/2009 financial year, nearly $5million was paid in wages - most of this goes back into the region.

 

Most suppliers are based in the Blue Mountains, Oberon, Bathurst and Lithgow areas — legal, accounting, and graphic design at Bathurst and engineering services for upgrades of infrastructure at Jenolan have been supplied by Oberon and Lithgow firms.

 

In the 2008/2009 financial year, over $300,000 was paid to local contractors and suppliers providing building, engineering, electrical and communications services and supplies.

 

Jenolan is a significant sponsor of activities in the Oberon area including initiatives of the Oberon Plateau Tourism Association.  From time to time free cave tours are offered to residents of Oberon and Lithgow. Over $20,000 of in-kind contributions to schools and fundraising groups of cave tickets and cave/accommodation packages has been provided. 

 

Every year, work experience opportunities are provided for school and TAFE students.

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