Did you know there are over 150 limestone caves dotted along the Leeuwin-Naturaliste ridge in the Margaret River region– Filled with magnificent stalactite and stalagmites, coloured beds of rock layered over centuries – And here you can find the best caves in the region that are open to the public.
Ngilgi Cave
Ngilgi Cave is located on Caves Road between Dunsborough and Yallingup, around a 35-minute drive north of Margaret River. Discovered in 1899, it was the first cave in Western Australia open to visitors and remains one of the region’s most popular attractions.
Today, visitors can explore the cave at their own pace on a self-guided tour, immersing themselves in the spectacular formations and learning about its fascinating history. Bookings for the Ngilgi Cave experience can be made directly via the Capes Foundation website: Ngilgi Cave – Capes Foundation.
For those looking to deepen their cultural understanding, Koomal Dreaming offers a separate 2.5-hour guided experience led by Josh “Koomal” Whiteland, sharing stories of the Wadandi people and the cultural significance of the cave and surrounding landscape. Please note all Koomal Dreaming tours must be booked via the Koomal Dreaming website.
Jewel Cave
Located a 30-minute drive south of the Margaret River town centre, Jewel Cave is the largest tourist cave in all of Western Australia with one of the longest stalactites in the world. It is recognised by visitors from across the globe as one of the world’s most spectacular show caves; Stories about the extinct Tasmanian Tigers falling into the cave have been told- And you might just find a fossil of these Thylacines on display. This cave is encrusted with gleaming crystal ornaments throughout its three massive chambers- Guided tours are available.
For more info here!
Lake Cave
Lake Cave is located on Conto Road and Caves Road in Boranup; around a 15-minute drive south of Margaret River. Enter the cave down an enormous sinkhole, down 350 steps and you’ll discover a stunning pristine chamber beneath the earth, with a beautiful permanent lake reflecting the unique formations of the cave. The unique ‘Suspended Table’ is a must-see for the cave- and once back above ground, admire the views from the Lake Cave Deck, a spectacular viewing platform in the treetops.
More info here!
Mammoth Cave
Living up to its name, Mammoth Cave is 500 metres long, 30 metres in depth and is one of only a few caves in WA that contains fossils- Come face to face with the 50,000-year-old Australian Megafauna ‘zygomaturus’ jawbone embedded on the cave wall! During winter, a stream flows through the cave, creating reflections and giving it a whole new life. It is one of the more accessible caves in the region and provides wheelchair access to the first chamber. Tours are self-guided with visitors having the option to listen to an audio tour on an MP3 player on request, available in English, French, German, Malay, and Mandarin.
More info here!
Giants Cave
Giants Cave is an adventure cave with torches and helmets provided on arrival. Negotiate vertical ladder climbs and rock scrambles, tight spots and gigantic chambers, natural cave floor and constructed walkways for more than half a kilometre in the 86m deep cave – Just a heads up, kids under 6 years old are not permitted for safety reasons, so it’s best to head out to one of the other caves if you’ve got any little ones running around. It’s located a 15 minute drive south of the Margaret River town centre, so it’ll be nice and close if you stay in Margaret River!
More info here!
