The Mega Cave Hike: Guide to One of the Central Coast’s Most Amazing Natural Wonders

As the name suggests the Mega Cave is, well, Mega. However, the hike to it is short and sweet, and serves up a versatile number of natural wonders, Indigenous art, and remnants of a past sandstone quarry.

We Are Explorers acknowledges that this adventure is located on the traditional Country of the Darkinjung and Guringai people who have occupied and cared for the lands, waters, and their inhabitants for thousands of years. We pay our respects to them as the Traditional Custodians and recognise that sovereignty was never ceded.

Quick Overview

The Mega Cave Hike is a 5km out and back, Grade 3 hike located in Somersby on NSW’s Central Coast. The hike takes about three hours to complete, including ‘Oohh’ and ‘Aahh’ stops along the way. It requires some navigation, as part of the walk is on an unmarked trail.

Make sure you check local park alerts before you head out in case there are any warnings or park closures that may impact your trip.

The Mega Cave Hike Facts

Distance: 5km approx. return
Duration: 3 hours – depending on how long you explore the cave for!
Elevation Gain: 133m approx.
Nearest Town: Somersby

About the Mega Cave

The Mega Cave hike follows a series of management trails and an unmarked trail through Brisbane Water National Park and Mooney Mooney Aboriginal Area.

There’s much to see on this short out-and-back hike including Indigenous art, an old sandstone quarry, views of the M1 Mooney Mooney Bridge, and natural features such as the Mega Cave itself, countless birdlife, waterfalls, and some epic Blue Gums.

Blue Gums so tall they’ll struggle to fit in your camera

Be prepared for some fun scrambling over rocks and finding the path to the Mega Cave.

Read more: How to Stay Safe in the Bush: The Ultimate Hiking Safety Guide

The Mega Cave History

The Aboriginal engravings located on what is known as Darkinjung or Guringai land (this area has long been argued over) have very little information available on them. What is known is that the site must have been incredibly significant to the local Indigenous people for them to spend so much time here.

Big kangaroo engraving

How to Get to the Mega Cave

The trailhead is located on Myoora Road, Somersby which is approximately one hour north of Sydney and 1.5 hours south of Newcastle. You’ll need a private car as there’s no public transport to the trailhead.

Drive past the first heavy duty gate to your left and keep going until you come to a second gate, again on your left. You will notice that there is a turning bay opposite this gate. Turn around and park along the track somewhere before entering the management trail at this gate.

There’s limited parking down Myoora Road and it’s also the access to private property, so be sure to park well to the side of the road and don’t block gates, turning bays or driveways. As the road is unsealed, drive slowly to preserve the integrity of the access trail.

Please note! There are two Myoora Roads in Somersby and they do not link up! Take Myoora Road just off the Old Pacific Highway.

Then get ready to hit the trail

Where to Stay Near the Mega Cave

This is an out-and-back adventure, with no designated campground on route. But if you want to camp nearby, book a spot at Kariong Scout Camp or visit the beautiful Glenworth Valley.

Read more: The Central Coast’s 9 Most Unique Stays

Skill Level for the Mega Cave

Intermediate

While this hike isn’t overly difficult, its remote nature, dead zone for reception, and lack of directional signage could make for an unpleasant experience if a wrong turn is taken. Carry a GPS and/or pre-downloaded maps as the track to the Mega Cave itself is unmarked, apart from some helpful pink ribbons that shouldn’t be wholly relied upon. This hike doesn’t cater to those with mobility issues.

Essential Gear for Hiking to the Mega Cave

• PLB
• First aid kit
• Downloaded GPS/printed maps
• GPS
• Day pack
• Rain gear if the weather is looking iffy
• Morning tea
• 1L of water and extra for a cuppa
• Hat
• Hiking boots – ideally waterproof
• Hiking poles

Read more: Remember to leave no trace!

What It’s Like to Hike to the Mega Cave

The walk out to the Mega Cave is short and sweet and packed full of interesting features. The fact that you can see so much in one short walk is very impressive.

From the car, walk up the small incline for about 300m passing the first trail on your left and turning left when you get to the second trail. Google Maps shows that you’re walking along The Powerline Trail. From here, head towards the engraving site and old quarry.

Indigenous Engravings Site

The next 250m is a leisurely walk to the engraving site. A NPWS sign notifies you that you’re in the right spot and can easily find numerous engravings on the rock platform to your right. Take some time to admire the workmanship and imagine the stories told for generations right there where you’re standing. If you’re in a group, get ready for much debate on what animal the engraving is of and what the message is that the artist was trying to get across!

The Quarry

Once everyone has stopped arguing and all agree to later consult the Google Gods on the matter, you can head back along the same way you came. Keep an eye out on the left for a small gap in the shrubs leading up to another rock platform. This is the easiest entry point to the old quarry.

Again, if you’re not sure, check in with Google Maps. If you switch it over to satellite imagery you can see the quarry outline. It’s an easy walk around the edge of the quarry, which now looks like Roman baths and acts as a haven for animals and birds.

Idyllic or ugly – what do you reckon?

Some people love it for its now picturesque outlook while others hate it because it signifies such an impact on the local landscape.

A note of caution! This area is snake heaven with all the water, warm rocks, and hidey holes and a black snake was spotted on our way back out.

From the quarry, head back towards the Powerline Trail and turn left.

Exploring the quarry

Walk up a short incline for another 120m before turning left. A series of power lines run down this track. Follow this for almost 1km until it drops off suddenly and the M1 Mooney Mooney Bridge is spotted (and heard) in the distance.

This is where it gets a little tricky and your GPS and maps will come in handy. The track turns right into the bush and follows the overgrown path for about 500m leading to the Mega Cave. At the time of writing, there were pink ribbons marking the way, however these shouldn’t be relied upon. They’re easy to follow, although you may like to pick your way around some of the rock scrambles.

Blue Gums

On your way through this section, there’s a smaller cave and an impressive stand of Blue gums, which is probably my favourite part of this walk. You have to walk between them to get to the cave almost as if they are the gateway to the cave itself. Looking up you might see, if not hear, the cockatoos screeching as they fly in and out of their hollows.

Be aware that there are some small drop offs through here that my parents in law discovered. Thankfully, they weren’t hurt but they have vowed to never come on one of my bushwalking adventures again and have not stopped complaining of their grazes and bruises since.

If you happen to be in the area after rain, a small waterfall might appear as well as a consistent spray of water coming over the rock face to your right. The Mega Cave and morning tea aren’t far from here!

The Mega Cave

The cave itself is most impressive. A honeycomb web of rock forming the ceiling and walls stretching well over 50m in length. It’s the perfect spot to rest and enjoy looking out over the bushland before heading back.

Mega good vibes in the Mega Cave

Once you’ve finished exploring the cave and have re-energised, simply follow the same route out again, back up the management trails and down to the entry gate.

There’s another exit route you can take to the north of the cave which would turn this hike into a loop, however I haven’t done it and I have heard it is quite overgrown which makes it a little more difficult when you’ve got a baby in tow!

Tips for Hiking the Mega Cave Hike

• Avoid undertaking this hike in periods of very hot weather or after heavy rain
• Be aware that some of this hike is on an unmarked trail. There are many obstacles, including fallen trees, spiky bushes, and some rock scrambling involved
• Ensure you have a safety plan in place and your PLB is up to date with trip notes
• The Mega Cave Hike is generally always open, but may close in times of fire danger, inclement weather or management trail works. Check the NSW National Parks website for closures and before heading off

Are you going to the Mega Cave any time soon?

FAQs for Mega Cave

Can I camp in Mega Cave?

There is no designated camping spot on track or within Mega Cave itself. Additionally, its proximity to the Pacific Motorway would make it pretty noisy! You’re better off camping at the nearby Kariong Scout Camp or in Glenworth Valley and treating this as a fun day hike.

What are some other hikes nearby that I can do?

Brisbane Water National Park is full of great hikes! Some near Mega Cave include Piles Creek Loop, Kariong Brook Falls via Wondabyne Station, Pindar Cave, Little Wobby to Wondabyne Station, and Somersby Falls.

Can I catch public transport to Mega Cave from Sydney?

Unfortunately, you can’t catch public transport right to the trailhead – you need a car. But you could catch a train from Central Station to Gosford Station, a bus to Kariong, then walk approximately 1h 20min to the trailhead. This would require much more extra planning, and is a 4h+ trip just to get to the trailhead!