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Australia South Coast Lake Cave holiday

About Margaret River in Western Australia

Margaret River and its premium wine region is the place for indulging many passions. It's the only wine region in Australia where you can hop from award-winning wineries and restaurants to stunning beaches, tall-timber forests, world-class surf breaks and ancient caves.

From Perth, it's an easy 3-hour-and-20-minute drive via coast or country.

Budget travellers can catch the coach that departs daily. Or, you can opt to arrive in style, taking a direct charter flight or a scheduled flight to nearby Busselton. Blessed with mild weather and abundant sunshine, Margaret River has evolved from a chilled-out surfie town into a popular base for enjoying the region's fine flavours and spectacular scenery, where rolling vineyards sit against a backdrop of ocean and forest.

Producing over 15 per cent of Australia's premium wine, the tastings are top notch. And besides over 100 wineries, you'll be spoilt for choice with many fine restaurants, boutique breweries, art galleries and fresh produce, from divine cheeses to chocolate. Time your visit to coincide with the annual wine and food festivals and you'll get to savour many of these flavours in one hit.

Those with a taste for adventure will find plenty to indulge in too.

Known internationally as one of the best big-wave surfing locations on Earth for consistently spectacular breaks, there are over 40 top spots along Margaret River's coast, with conditions ranging from powerful reef breaks to fun beach surf.

Venture inland and you'll be dwarfed by some of the world's tallest hardwood trees, and awe-struck by the longest straw stalactite on show when you plunge into Jewel Cave - one of many ancient limestone caves open to the public.

More thrills can be found with rock climbing, abseiling, mountain biking, canoeing and whale watching tours. You might even be tempted to throw in a line and chase some snapper at one of the designated fishing spots.

Your bed for the night can be as opulent or basic as your budget allows. The region boasts a fine array of luxury retreats and private beach houses, through to hotels, motels, backpackers, caravan parks and camping grounds.

About Caves near Margaret River in Western Australia

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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