The Ultimate Guide to Margaret River Caves (By Someone Who’s Been!)
If you love a good adventure, the Margaret River region is packed with underground wonders that will blow your mind. We’ve been lucky enough to explore these jaw-dropping caves—Jewel Cave and Ngilgi Cave in particular, completely exceeded our expectations!
And if you love a mix of natural beauty, history, and a little bit of mystery, you’re in for a treat.
This list includes the top caves found in Margaret River. We’ll also include the required fitness level and particular information for the caves.
Ready to discover the best caves in Margaret River? Let’s go! 👇
Introduction to the Margaret River Caves
You may be wondering, why are there caves in Margaret River? I know I was thinking that! Before heading to the region, I had no idea these caves existed. Let’s start with a little bit of history – if that’s not your thing, just scroll down to the start of the list of caves.
How Did These Caves Get Here?
Millions of years ago, the ocean worked its magic on the limestone beneath the Leeuwin-Naturaliste Ridge, creating a network of over 100 caves. The first recorded discovery by European settlers was in 1848 (Source), and in the early 1900’s a Caves Board was established to protect the caves from impending tourism.
Even during the 1960’s, caves were being discovered. While only a few are open to the public, they are nothing short of spectacular. To access most of the other caves, a permit is required.
A Place of Deep Cultural History
The local Wardandi people have a strong connection to these caves, and Ngilgi Cave, in particular, holds an incredible Dreamtime story.
Exploring these caverns isn’t just about the rock formations—it’s about stepping into history.
The Best Caves to Visit in Margaret River
Margaret River has four publicly open caves, each with its own unique wow-factor. Even if you can’t spend much time in Margaret River, I would highly recommend visiting at least one cave, they are really magical.
Side note, we visited these caves with our kids – 4 and 6. Both are autistic, and it’s the calmest they have been inside these caves! It was remarkable how silent and peaceful the caves were.
Ngilgi Cave – The Interactive Adventure
📍76 Yallingup Caves Rd, Yallingup
Difficulty Level: There are many uneven stairs, and places you’ll need to watch your head. The above ground experience has minimal stairs, and is mainly flat ground and board walk. (We took our 4 and 6 year old – but they did require help in some spots)
Experience: Guided and self-guided options
Time: 1hr 30 min for the Cave, 1 hr to explore above ground.
Ngilgi cave allows you to wander through stunning stalactites and stalagmites with a hands-on, semi-guided experience. There’s even a spot where you can touch ancient formations!
You’ll receive a safety briefing at the top of the cave’s entrance before you head down some wooden stairs into the cave. The temperature feels cool on a hot day as you descend into the cave. It is fully lit inside the cave, with some spectacular lighting on the formations.
Cave guides are stationed around the cave, ensuring safety and answering any questions you have.
Above ground, walk through a series of informative signs teaching you about the history of the Wadandi and Bibbulman traditional owners.
👉 Check availability and book ahead to get your preferred time slot to view the cave
🌟 Mammoth Cave – The Fossil Hunter’s Dream
📍Caves Rd, Forest Grove
Difficulty Level: Easy
Experience: Self guided with audio tour
Time: Allow 1-2 hours
Walk through this ancient wonder at your own pace with an audio tour – in English, French, German, Malay or Mandarin. The entrance has a slightly sloping board walk
Keep an eye out for prehistoric fossils embedded in the walls of Australian Megafauna from more than 46000 years ago.
👉 Check out Mammoth Cave tours here
Lake Cave – A Hidden Underground Lake
📍Caves Rd & Conto Rd, Forest Grove
Difficulty Level: Over 300 stairs back to the entrance, but you can walk them in your own time. A fair level of fitness would be needed.
Experience: Fully guided tour
Time: 90 mins
Picture a crystal-clear underground lake and a floating ‘Suspended Table’ formation. It’s one of the most stunning sights in WA!
Yes, there is a lake inside this cave. What I think makes this spectacular is how the still water reflects the crystal formations hanging from the ceiling. The guides are very knowledgeable and use lighting to highlight different sections of the cave.
It’s both educational and entertaining.
👉 Don’t miss this magical spot—book your tour here
Jewel Cave – The Biggest and the Best (We think!)
📍Jewel Caves Rd, Deepdene WA
Difficulty Level: Many stairs; moderate fitness is suggested
Experience: Fully guided tour
Time: 60 mins
This is the largest show cave in WA, and it is MASSIVE. You’ll be blown away by the sheer size of the chambers and the sparkling formations inside.
The guide told us about Tasmanian Tigers remains found in this cave. There is so much interesting facts from the knowledgable guide – from geological reasons why there was water here, how rock formations happened and more.
The light show that goes with the information is spectacular in itself.
👉 See Jewel Cave for yourself—grab your tour tickets
Adventure Caving: For the Thrill-Seekers!
If you want to go beyond the usual tourist experience, these caves offer a proper adventure. You need to
Calgardup Cave – Self-Guided Exploration
📍 Leeuwin-Naturaliste National Park
This is perfect if you want to grab a helmet and torch and explore at your own pace. Just you, the cave, and total darkness. Suitable for all ages, the access is around 300m long, and you can watch a stream of water flowing into the lake during winter.
Admission fees apply, and the cave is open every day apart from Christmas Day and Boxing day.
Contact Explore parks for more information.
Giants Cave – For Serious Explorers
📍 Leeuwin-Naturaliste National Park
Think ladders, rope climbs, and narrow passageways! This is a physically challenging cave that’s all about adventure. You’ll get to walk on the natural cave floor and also made-made walkways for more than 500 meters.
Children under 6 years old are not allowed, and enclosed footwear is a must. This is not your standard tourist cave – this is an awesome adventure for the more adventurous! For full transparency, we haven’t done this cave. It is high on my list when we return (with babysitters!!)
Contact Explore parks for more information.
Planning Your Visit: What You Need to Know
How to Get There
All the caves are within an easy drive of Margaret River town, or about 2.5 hours south from Perth. I would recommend staying at least one night in Margaret River so it’s not a rushed trip, but it is possible to visit in one day from Perth.
If driving yourself doesn’t interest you, there are plenty of tours from both Perth and Margaret River that explore the caves.
For a full day outing from Perth, we recommend this tour, It is a taste of all the different experiences that Margaret River has to offer. Busselton Jetty, Lighthouses, Breweries, and Caves!
👉 Book a full-day Margaret River cave tour and more here
For more info on Margaret River tours, read this article on the top tours in the region:
Best Time to Visit
The caves are cool all year round, so they’re the perfect escape from a hot summer’s day! But if you want fewer crowds, aim for early morning tours. If you want to see water flowing at the bottom of the caves that have a stream, aim for winter.
We went to Ngilgi cave on a 37 degree day – it was the perfect escape from the heat
What to Bring
- Comfy shoes (lots of stairs!)
- A light jacket (it’s always cool underground)
- A camera. We found the GoPro (and other ‘action’ cameras) didn’t like the low light conditions. Your phone is a good alternative.
- Some caves don’t let you take bags, so leave them in the car or ask the assistants at the cave.
Preserving These Natural Wonders
These caves have been forming for millions of years, and the smallest human touch can damage delicate formations. Stick to the paths, don’t touch the formations, and always follow the guide’s instructions.
By exploring responsibly, we can keep these caves incredible for future generations!
More to Explore Nearby
Your adventure doesn’t have to stop underground! Margaret River is packed with epic experiences. Here are just a select few!
Cape Leeuwin Lighthouse (Another place we’ve been—stunning ocean views!)
This is the tallest lighthouse on mainland Australia, and you can climb to the top for an insane view of where the Indian and Southern Oceans meet.
👉 Book your lighthouse tour here
🍷 Wine & Food Experiences
After all that adventure, why not reward yourself with a glass of Margaret River’s famous wine? 🍷
👉 Check out the best food & wine tours here
Final Thoughts – Which Cave Should You Visit?
Honestly? If you have time, do them all! But if you’re short on time:
- For families & easy exploring: Mammoth Cave
- For adventure & interactive fun: Ngilgi Cave
- For breathtaking beauty: Lake Cave
- For jaw-dropping size and an awesome light show: Jewel Cave (our fave!)
Margaret River’s caves are seriously some of the most awe-inspiring places we’ve ever been. If you love adventure and natural wonders, you NEED to add them to your bucket list.
Our Tip: Book ahead, especially in peak holiday periods as it can get busy.
👉 Ready to explore? Find the best Margaret River cave tours here
