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Margaret River Area Caves

A system of limestone caves are located in the Margaret River area, starting at Calgardup Brook and finishing at Ellensbrook. There is only a small karst area containing 20 known karst features of which a number are major caves. The finest among them are the stunning Mammoth, Lake and Jewel Caves (see Augusta Caves). Few visitors fail to be impressed by the subterranean world they encounter on the Leeuwin-Naturaliste Ridge.



Lake Cave
Apart from celebrating its 100th year as a tourist cave in 2002, Lake Cave, south of Margaret River, has been entirely relit to fully show off its delicate formations and famous reflective lake. Arguably the most beautiful small limestone cave in Australia, Lake Cave was among the first major tourist attractions developed in the South-West. Approximately 40,000 people visit the site each year.

Mammoth Cave
At the historic Mammoth Cave visitors can travel through the underworld at their own pace by using the audio self-guided system. This is similar to those developed for art galleries and is one of only two used in caves interpretation in the world. Mammoth also features a new fossil display and is one of the few caves in Australia with disabled access.

Milligan’s Cave
Milligan’s Cave can be visited while making a trip to Meekadorabee Cave. Equipment is needed to descend into the cave as it has a 6 m entrance pitch. This cave was used as a tourist cave at the turn of the century. A descent into the cave passes through a fairly heavily decorated section on the left before reaching the main chamber. The floor of the main chamber consists of sand and rock with some bone material. Proceed onwards around a large rockpile to the terminal chamber which contains some good examples of calcified tree roots. A guide is needed to find this cave.

Wallcliffe Cave
Further south near the mouth of the Margaret River are two other caves of some importance, both completely different. One of these is Wallcliffe Cave, an ex-tourist cave found by Grace Bussel in 1870. This cave is situated at the back of Wallcliffe House on the edge of a paddock and is easily reached from the road. This cave has been vandalised badly and many old names can be seen written on the formation.

Beenup Cave
Beenup Cave is situated in the limestone hill overlooking Prevally Park Caravan Site. This cave is locked. The system is a classic inclined fissure cave and is heavily decorated. The entrance was dug out and the cave itself is over 300 m long, no equipment is necessary. The terminal chamber ends in a rockpile and the floor is a rich black loam washed in from outside. The possibility of extending this cave is good. Approximately 100 m away is a large doline known as Rainbow Cave. This is worth a visit if only for photographic reasons. Foxhole Cave is not far away and could be visited if a guide knows where it is. This cave has three chambers, one of which is well decorated and the terminating chamber contains scattered bones of many small animals.

Blackboy Hollow Cave
Blackboy Hollow Cave is considered the finest cave in the Boodjidup Brook area. The walk to the cave takes you past the magnificent blackboy’s the cave was named after. Equipment is needed to negotiate the 6m entrance shaft into a large chamber but you will have to unlock the gate first ! The key is held by the CALM office in Margaret River. A permit is required to enter the cave. This cave was an old show cave. The old pathways lead down into a magnificent lower level of immense proportions. Formation in this chamber is very good. Deeper into the floor of this chamber can be seen the old stream course.

Witchcliffe Cave
Witchcliffe Cave is located in a magnificent setting above Boodjidup Brook where it opens into Devil’s Pool. A cliff face at the head of the valley at the west end of the pool and on the north side of the stream contains the cave entrance. An overhang contains a 2 m drop down to water. Old wooden tables and a small stream, which requires some 7 m down a steep slope, can be seen. Stairs lead to the cave entrance above the overhang. Many old columns in two small chambers divide the cave and add to it’s interest. This is an old tourist cave and a guide may be needed to locate it.

Augusta Area


Jewel Cave organ pipes
Jewel Cave
Jewel Cave is a complex phreatic cave 1.9 kms long, of which only 40% has been developed for tourism. Opened to the public in 1960, Jewel Cave has been thoughtfully developed to show the cave off to visitors and not to make just the easiest path. Lighting is all natural and indirect. Formations in Jewel are identical to Easter and Labyrinth Caves. Formations are excellent. A straw measuring about 580 cm is the longest in any tourist cave. There are many flowstone canopies, including the famous Organ Pipes. Myriads of straws can be seen reflected in the lake at the lowest level of the cave. The price of a tour is reasonable and the tour lasts for one hour. Photographers are encouraged, so take your cameras and get some rewarding shots.

Deepdene Cave
This cave is noted for its massive formations. Consisting of two large chambers, the cave is just over 100 m long and 35 m deep. The two chambers are heavily decorated with columns and stalactites. When visiting the eastern chamber, take note of the old rimstone pools, some of which are over 1 m deep. Deepdene was developed to a small degree as a tourist cave around 1900. It was never opened to the public. Although only a small cave, a typical photographic trip can last several hours so be sure to take water with you. While in the cave examine the walls. Deepdene is packed with small helictites. No special equipment is needed to enter Deepdene Cave, which is all horizontal.

Harley’s Cave
Surveys have proved that Harley’s Cave, which is about 100 m from Labyrinth on the surface, comes to within 1 m of Labyrinth underground. There is limited photography in the cave, the main attraction being the entrance pitch, a fifteen metre solution pipe which opens out into a large bell-shaped chamber with excellent acoustics. A small extension on the southern wall will lure the more sporting caver. A series of vertical squeezes leads to a small well decorated chamber. It is at this point that it is carved closest to Labyrinth.

Old Kudardup Cave
Formed on the high slopes of the new dunes, this cave is one of the most interesting to see. The cave is a large single chamber with no side extensions. It has formed in massive dimensions, over 30 m deep with a ceiling 30 m above the cave floor, massive columns have grown up to 18 m high near the entrance. Photographically, Old Kudardup can offer impressive shots of the columns. Most of the roof decoration is too high to be photographed. Old Kudardup Cave is recommended to everyone, just to see a really nice easy cave.

Easter Cave
Easter Cave is the longest (7.5km) and most heavily decorated cave in the south-west. A typical trip lasts 8 hours so supplies of food are necessary. The entrance is a 12 m shaft which is best laddered. This opens onto a large sand floored chamber, a small crawl leads to the system.

Labyrinth Cave
Labyrinth Cave is a phreatic maze of interconnecting passages. Entry is as with Easter, a 12 m shaft best laddered. The formation is excellent, straws being the dominant feature. Labyrinth has two main trends, north-west and south-west. Both are photogenic with the south-west having the edge. A visit to the Winged Eagle’s Nest is worthwhile. Labyrinth is also very sporting. There are a few sumps and lots of mud squeezes. Most of the trip is spent walking or crawling along phreatic tubes containing water and mud.

Moondyne Cave
Moondyne Cave is an old tourist cave which had to be closed in 1958 for restoration. A concentrated effort has seen the introduction of track marking, removal of old stairs and the cleaning of formation. Fortunately a lot of the damage has been reversible and Moondyne still retains its beauty and is excellent for photography. The cave has good displays of columns and helictites. Consisting of two large chambers, Moondyne is the smallest of the four caves which reach the water table. The lower chamber which was once an old crystal pool, is completely covered with calcite flakes. This known as the Snowflake Chamber and contains some side extensions with fine displays of helictites. Carbon dioxide levels are often high in this chamber. The upper chamber is in complete contrast to the lower containing many large columns and stalagmites, and also some very long straws. Moondyne Cave is one to be enjoyed by all cavers. Moondyne Cave was reopened as a Guided Cave in 1993. Tours are conducted by the Augusta Margaret River Tourist Bureau.

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