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Australia South Coast Lake Cave holiday

About Leeuwin Naturaliste National Park in Western Australia

Leeuwin Naturaliste National Park

Leeuwin Naturaliste National Park Caves
The limestone ridge of the Leeuwin Naturaliste National Park hides a series of caves, many of which are open to the public. The subterranean world that these caves open up is an amazing experience and few visitors fail to be impressed. Ngilgi, Mammoth, Lake and Jewel Caves run guided tours and have been enjoyed by the public for the last century. They are now recognized internationally for their beauty and pristine condition.

Ngilgi Cave
Beneath the limestone ridge which forms Cape Naturaliste, lays Ngilgi Cave at Yallingup providing a fascinating interplay of Aboriginal legend and nature. Located off Caves Road it is a short distance north of Yallingup. Ngilgi Cave is named because of its association with a rich Aboriginal legend describing the battle between a good spirit (Ngilgi) and an evil spirit (Wolgine).

Discovered in 1899 Ngilgi Cave (formerly Yallingup Cave) remains one of the Capes most visited attractions. The Cave offers a stunning display of stalactite, stalagmite, helicitite and shawl formations plus an interpretive area detailing the Caves rich history. Today you can enjoy semi guided tours and a range of other experiences including awesome adventure caving and torchlight tours. A cafe, children's playground, barbecue facilities and walk trails make a visit to Ngilgi Cave an excellent family outing.

Note: Adventure tours must be booked in advance.
Contact Information
Address Caves Road, Yallingup, 6282
Phone +61 08 9755 2152 Fax +61 08 9755 2022
Email ngilgi@geographebay.com
Website http://www.geographebay.com

Mammoth Cave
For those who like to explore caves at their leisure, Mammoth Cave offers the perfect opportunity to go it alone in safety. A CD audio self-guiding system provides a climate of independence for the Mammoth Cave visitor. Mammoth is a wonderfully wild cave and can be best described as the perfect home for caveman. An array of formations angle off in all directions and the natural light protruding through the entrance and exit give this cave a liveable feel. In this cave you can see all of nature’s fantastic forces at work. It is truly remarkable.

Entry is made via a wide boardwalk which allows some disabled access into the first cavern. This awe inspiring cave is a natural time capsule and home to ancient fossil remains of extinct animals. Formations include the Mammoth shawl and the “Karri Forest” flowstone which seems to resemble the unique karri trees of the Augusta Margaret River region.

A visit to Mammoth Cave is not complete without taking a stroll along the wonderful Marri Walk Trail. Mammoth Cave is 15 minutes south of Margaret River along Caves Road.

Contact Information
Address Caves Road, Margaret River, 6285
Phone +61 08 9780 5911 Fax +61 08 9757 3287
Email caveworks@margaretriver.com
Website http://www.margaretriver.com

Cave Works
The caves of Margaret River are managed from CaveWorks, a fascinating eco-centre with impressive displays set amongst the beautiful natural environment of the Leeuwin-Naturaliste Ridge. A visit to CaveWorks is a must for the whole family. A free pass to CaveWorks is included with all cave tickets. Caveworks also serves as a regional centre for preserving the fragile living geology and ecology of the area. Experience the wilderness of the underground caves, views of vast chambers, fossil remains and stunning crystalline formations await you at the Lake, Mammoth and Jewel Caves.

Contact Information
Address Caves Road, Margaret River, 6285
Phone +61 08 9757 7411 Fax +61 08 9757 7421
Email caveworks@margaretriver.com
Website http://www.margaretriver.com

Lake Cave
Lake Cave is a stunning crystal wonderland which plays on the mind of the child in all of us. Lying directly below CaveWorks, the educative headquarters of the Augusta Margaret River caves of the Leeuwin Naturaliste Ridge, this pristine cavern has delighted people of all ages. Show More Hide Details It’s highly recommended for children and adults, especially those new to the cave experience. Descend a staircase in time to gaze up at towering karri trees from a primeval lost world before entering one of the most stunning limestone caves in Western Australia.

A testament to nature’s beauty, the mirrored reflections give a sense of peace in this cave. It’s easy to see why it was originally named by its first tour guide, Tim Connelly, as “The Queen of the Earth.” A light show highlights the many different features and visitors also get a taste of sitting in the underground darkness. Above ground, visit CaveWorks interpretive centre where children can go on the Cave Crawl. The Lake Cave tearooms nearby give you the chance to also enjoy a quick snack or meal. Lake Cave is relaxing 20 minutes drive south of Margaret River, along the famous Caves Road.

Contact Information
Address Caves Road, Margaret River, 6285
Phone +61 08 9780 5911 Fax +61 08 9757 3287
Email caveworks@margaretriver.com
Website http://www.margaretriver.com

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Australia South Coast Lake Cave holiday

Jewel Cave
Jewel Cave is Western Australia’s largest tourism cave. Hidden in the beautiful Karri forest of the Leeuwin Naturaliste Ridge, about 37 kilometres south of Margaret River and nine kilometres north of Augusta, this cave sinks to a reachable depth of 42 metres and is 1.9 kilometres long. Only 40 per cent of the cave has been developed for tourism and the journey for the visitor is spectacular.

Jewel has giant formations and little natural light. The first descent down a long, narrow tunnel which opens at the top of the first giant cavern makes for a breathtaking introduction to the rest of the tour. Jewel Cave gives one the sensation of being under the ocean without the water. It has a soft golden glow and the sheer magnitude of its formations dwarfs its visitors. This cave has one of the longest straw stalactites found in any tourist cave in the world, measuring 580 centimetres.

Contact Information
Address Caves Road, Augusta, 6290
Phone +61 08 9757 7411 Fax +61 08 9757 7421
Email caveworks@margaretriver.com
Website http://www.margaretriver.com

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