An easy two-and-a half hour drive from the centre of western Sydney lies Jenolan Caves, the spectacular labyrinth of 300 stalactite-lined limestone crevasses carved by underground rivers over millions of years. Jenolan Caves is in the lands of the Burra Burra people, a clan group of the Gundugurra Nation, and, at 340 million years old, is the oldest open cave system in the world, with its reserve trust gazetted in 1866. Part of the Greater Blue Mountains World Heritage Area, nine of the caves are open for public viewing and are at a constant 15 degrees, even when it’s snowing outside, so you’ll always know what to wear (in the caves at least). To get there, the M4 is the quickest route, or you can take the slightly longer but more scenic drive along the B59 through Richmond and take in a large section of the Bells Line of Road. This drive in itself has been lauded as one of the better motoring experiences around Sydney and one to really test your Mercedes- Benz. It includes meandering roller coaster segments, sections of long curves, and of course spectacular scenery. On the way you can stop at the Bilpin Fruit Bowl for one of their famous apple pies, or the Blue Mountains Botanic Garden at Mount Tomah, the country's highest botanic garden featuring cool-climate plants, guided tours and picnic areas. You might need to stay overnight if you plan to take the B59 and want to stop along the way, or if you’re pressed for time head straight up the mountain past Katoomba, and then turn left at Hartley Historic Village at the Jenolan Caves turnoff. Jenolan Caves Road will take you through the village of Hampton and finally to your destination. There are plenty of tours to choose from, but the Lucas Cave is the most popular. It features the spectacular limestone formation of the Broken Column as well as the Cathedral, a 54-metre high chamber that is popular for weddings and is often used for concerts and performances. Popularity, however, doesn't always equate to beauty, and the Orient Cave is said by many to be the most beautiful cave in the world. You’ll be awestruck as you move through one breathtaking chamber to another, each named to evoke the mysterious Orient – Persian, Egyptian and Indian – and fitted out with the latest lighting technology enabling you to see areas and dimensions like never before. The Temple of Baal Cave is also renowned for its spectacular features with entry via a controversial man-made tunnel blasted out in the 1950s, the Binoomea Cut, followed by a walk down the Dragon’s Throat by a dramatic winding staircase. Named after the Biblical story of Elijah and the Prophets of Baal, there are two massive chambers, one 42 metres high filled with MERCEDES-BENZ PARRAMATTA 22 EXPLORE