Western Australia
The Caves Road, Western Australia boasts more than 100 limestone caves lying hidden beneath its surface. Of the above mentioned only 4 of the caves are accessible to the public. Each of the labyrinths was a spectacular witness of the force of nature over millions of years. The tours range from self-guided to guided ones. The walkways are intricately designed keeping in mind the delicacy of the minerals. Yet, do not compromise the showcase of the exhibits in any way. Tourists are expected to behave responsibly and contribute to the preservation of these monumental discoveries.
The first tour leaves at 9 a.m. for all the caves. You can easily visit all of them in a single day. The tours lasts from anywhere between 45 minutes and 1.5 hours. There is a cafe on site to wait in case of early arrival. The souvenir shops are engaging and can tempt you to buy a few of them for loved ones back home. It is advisable to pre-book your tickets for each of the caves since there are limited seats available for each time slot. These slots tend to get booked quickly, particularly during peak seasons.
Before starting with the details regarding each cave I would like to mention a few things that are a prerequisite for all the catacombs. To avoid being left behind, make sure to arrive at the site at least 10 minutes before your allotted slot. The tour starts with gathering the pupils inside the cave auditorium which is a separate enclosure from the reception. Hence, the tour guide makes sure to headcount 10 minutes prior to tour departure. This is applicable only for guided tours.
The self-guided tours at done at one’s own pace and allow admission throughout the day until 5 p.m. This is only applicable at the Mammoth Cave, which is an audio-guided self-tour. The rest of the three are all steered tours with a guide. Each of the spelunk has a story of its own. Make sure to listen to interesting facts and ask questions during the tours. This will just make the whole experience a lot more enjoyable and a learning one.
The four caves that are available for access to the public are as below.
Ngilgi Cave:
- This cave will be your first stop when approaching the Margaret River region. It is a 5-minute drive from Yallingup and a 10-minute drive from the bustling town of Dunsborough. This cave provides a semi-guided tour with a specialist. Visitors are encouraged to self-explore some parts of the caves, while the guide leads the way in other sections. The cave’s first group departs at 9 a.m. This is the one cave where in 1963, a local lady created a world record for staying inside the cave for a staggering 90 days.
Prior to this record, another man had a record to his name for staying put inside this formation for 87 days. Both of their initials can be seen engraved today at the foot of the cave. A shepherd, who was searching for his lost cattle, discovered this cave in 1899. The depth of this cave is around 130 feet. There is a tunnelway created for kids to slide out on the other side. Reasonable-bodied adults can indulge in the slide too.
This cave has 350 steps to climb and de-climb. It makes it the cave with maximum stairs, as the entrance and exit are the same here. The Ngilgi Cave has one of the longest stalactites in the world. The local aboriginals, Wardandi, believe that the good spirits of their ancestors reside inside this cave once they depart. The cave was known as the Yallinup cave until 2000 when the present name was adopted.
The cave opens at 9 a.m. and the last entry allowed is at 4 p.m.
Adults: AUD 32,
Children: AUD 16 (4 years and above)
Seniors: AUD 30.
The cave is open on all days except Christmas. Do share your experience if you have visited this cave.
Mammoth Cave:
The second cave in the line of caves is the Mammoth Cave. A self-guided audio tour of 45 minutes will take you through this small cavern. This cave tour is the easiest of all the other three caves. The audio guides are available in multiple languages.
Here you will see a 50,000-year-old jawbone of an ancient creature. You complete the walk through this cave in the wilderness. You can choose to exit the site or opt for another 45 minutes of nature trail leading through the Marri and Karri forests.
The caves are grateful and obliged to the Aboriginals of the area at each step. This is also an inactive cave, like the above Ngilgi caves. The caves are wheelchair accessible but only till the first chamber. You can see fossil remains throughout the cave interiors.
The cave operates its first tour batch starting at 9 a.m. and closes by 5 p.m.
Adults: AUD 24
Children: AUD 12 (4 years and above)
Seniors: AUD 22
- Zero-Cost Dubai: A Budget Traveler’s Guide to the City of LuxuryDubai, known for its opulence and extravagance, might not be the first destination that comes to mind when you’re on a tight budget. However, this vibrant city has much to offer to budget-conscious travelers. From stunning beaches and picturesque parks… Read more: Zero-Cost Dubai: A Budget Traveler’s Guide to the City of Luxury
Lake Cave:
- Unlike the other caves, this one is an active cave oozing with life. You can see the water dripping from all the stalactites and stalagmites. There is also a lake formation at the foot of the cave that is rich in all the minerals a cave can possibly hold. A huge sinkhole will be visible during descent from the top before entering the cave chambers.
Look up from below and gaze at the magnificent Karri trees looming over you. An expert leads the fully guided tour, providing minute details about this beautiful cave. The spectacular light show showing the various formations like a dragon fire, and a ballet girl, is awe-inspiring. The suspended water table is a marvel in all its glory.
The Lake Cave is my favorite among the four caves lined along the cave road. Even with pin-drop silence, this place calls out to you in an unfathomable way. I would highly recommend doing this cave on your visit to the Margaret River. The crystals here are sure to leave a delectable mark on your mind and heart.
This cave sees huge turnouts so make sure to book your tickets in advance. There are a limited number of slots for the Lake Caves tour. The cave opens at 9 a.m. with its first group tour and the last tour is at 4 p.m.
Adults: AUD 24
Children: AUD 12 (4 years and above)
Seniors: AUD 22
Jewel Cave:
- The last cave on the Caves Road that allows public access is the stunning Jewel Cave. This cave is located in the Augusta region. An experienced guide leads this fully guided tour. The chambers are a thing of beauty. One of the chambers of this cave hosted the wedding of the founder’s daughter.
The Tasmanian tigers were the inhabitants of this personable cave. The light show here is a delight to the senses. They bring out the beauty of the limestone in full swing. They keep a chunk of crystal at the bottom for public contact as well. The hole through which the cave was discovered contributes a sense of naturalism to the entire scene. This cave houses rare calcite crystals.
This is the latest addition to the caves on the caves road. It also happens to be the largest of the four caves. All the three chambers of the Jewel Cave are hugely exquisite. The pitch-dark experience towards the end of the tour with absolute silence gives spine-chilling palpitation to the senses. This was the reality of the caves and their inhabitants when they were actually in use.
The cave opens its door for first comers at 9 a.m. and the last check-in is at 4 p.m. for the last tour of the day. The tour lasts for about an hour. It is open on all days except Christmas.
Adults: AUD 24
Children: AUD 12 (4 years and above)
Seniors: AUD 22
The Caves are a thing of beauty and for it to remain so, the onus is on the visitors to adhere to the rules. Refrain from touching anything around to help preserve the natural formations. They are extremely delicate and on coming with human contact change color. Keep this in mind before and during your visit. During your visits, always wear comfortable shoes because you will need to climb and descend at all the places.
For any further information visit the nearest visitors center. Western Australia is easy to commute and has a visitor help desk at all major tourist spots.
To know more about the author. Click here.