Margaret River Caves Overview

The Margaret River region is home to over 150 limestone caves, formed over millions of years beneath the Leeuwin-Naturaliste Ridge. Six caves are open to the public, each offering unique experiences from easy family-friendly walks to challenging adventure caving.

The caves maintain a constant temperature of around 17°C year-round, making them perfect to visit in any weather. Whether you're interested in ancient formations, Aboriginal history, or underground adventure, there's a cave for you.

⚡ Quick Comparison

Complete Cave Comparison

Cave Type Duration Steps Adult Price Best For
Lake Cave Guided 1 hour 350+ $28 Photography, reflected lake
Mammoth Cave Self-guided 30-60 min 450+ $24 Fossils, flexibility
Jewel Cave Guided 1 hour 400+ $28 Largest formations
Ngilgi Cave Semi-guided 45-90 min 300+ $26 Families, interaction
Giants Cave Self-guided adventure 1.5-2 hrs Ladders $20 Adventure, challenge
Calgardup Cave Self-guided 30-45 min 150 Free Budget, quick visit

Detailed Cave Profiles

🏆 Lake Cave - Most Spectacular

Lake Cave is widely considered the most beautiful of Margaret River's caves. Its centrepiece is a permanently suspended "table" of calcite crystal hovering over an underground lake, creating mirror-like reflections of the cave's delicate formations.

Lake Cave Details

  • Highlight: Suspended Table formation and reflective lake
  • Tour: Fully guided, 1 hour
  • Fitness: 350+ steps (moderate fitness required)
  • Photography: Best for photography
  • Booking: Recommended in peak season

🦘 Mammoth Cave - Easiest & Most Flexible

Mammoth Cave offers a self-guided experience through large chambers containing fossils of ancient Australian megafauna, including the jaw of a giant wombat. Audio guides allow you to explore at your own pace.

Mammoth Cave Details

  • Highlight: Megafauna fossils (35,000+ years old)
  • Tour: Self-guided with audio
  • Fitness: 450+ steps (moderate)
  • Best for: Families, those who prefer self-pacing
  • Booking: Walk-ins welcome

💎 Jewel Cave - Largest Formations

Jewel Cave features the largest show cave chamber in Western Australia and contains some of the longest straw stalactites found in any tourist cave. The guided tour takes you through three massive chambers.

Jewel Cave Details

  • Highlight: Massive chambers, 5.5m straw stalactite
  • Tour: Fully guided, 1 hour
  • Fitness: 400+ steps (moderate-challenging)
  • Location: Near Augusta (30 min south of Margaret River)
  • Booking: Recommended

👨‍👩‍👧‍👦 Ngilgi Cave - Best for Families

Ngilgi Cave offers interactive semi-guided tours where visitors can touch certain formations and explore side passages. The cave is rich in Aboriginal cultural significance, with Wadandi stories woven throughout the tour.

Ngilgi Cave Details

  • Highlight: Interactive experience, Aboriginal heritage
  • Tour: Semi-guided (explore freely with guide present)
  • Fitness: 300+ steps (easier than most)
  • Adventure option: Challenging cave crawl tours available
  • Location: Near Yallingup

⚡ Giants Cave - Best Adventure

Giants Cave is a wild, undeveloped cave for those seeking adventure. Equipped with a helmet, headlamp, and gloves, you'll climb ladders, squeeze through passages, and explore chambers rarely seen by tourists.

Giants Cave Details

  • Highlight: True adventure caving experience
  • Tour: Self-guided with equipment
  • Fitness: Good fitness required, climbing involved
  • Equipment: Helmet, lamp, gloves provided
  • Not suitable: Children under 10, claustrophobes

🆓 Calgardup Cave - Free Entry

Calgardup Cave is a small, undeveloped cave that's free to enter. Bring your own torch and explore this natural wonder at your own pace. It's perfect for a quick cave experience or budget travellers.

Which Cave Should You Visit?

Your Situation Recommended Cave Why
Only time for one cave Lake Cave Most visually spectacular
Travelling with young children Ngilgi Cave Interactive, engaging for kids
Want flexibility Mammoth Cave Self-guided, no booking needed
Adventure seekers Giants Cave Real caving experience
On a budget Calgardup Cave Free entry
Photography focus Lake Cave Best reflections and formations
Want the biggest Jewel Cave Largest chambers in WA

💡 Multi-Cave Pass

If visiting multiple caves, ask about combination passes at the ticket office. The "Grand Pass" covers Lake, Mammoth, and Jewel caves at a discounted rate.

Visiting Tips

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the best cave in Margaret River?
Lake Cave is widely considered the most beautiful, featuring a suspended calcite table over a reflective underground lake. However, Jewel Cave has the largest chambers, Ngilgi is best for families, and Giants Cave offers the best adventure experience.
How many caves should I visit?
For most visitors, 1-2 caves is ideal. Each cave takes 1-2 hours including walking time. If you're a cave enthusiast, you could visit 3 caves in one day, but it can become repetitive. We recommend choosing caves that offer different experiences.
Are Margaret River caves suitable for children?
Yes, most caves welcome children. Ngilgi Cave is specifically designed to be engaging for kids with its interactive format. Mammoth Cave's self-guided format also works well for families. Giants Cave is not suitable for children under 10.
Do I need to book cave tours in advance?
Booking is recommended for Lake Cave and Jewel Cave, especially during school holidays and peak season (Dec-Jan, Easter). Mammoth Cave and Calgardup Cave are self-guided and don't require booking. Ngilgi Cave accepts walk-ins but booking is wise on busy days.

Explore All Caves

View detailed information on each individual cave.

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