Naracoorte Caves National Park
Naracoorte Caves World Heritage Area
 |
Thylacoleo carnifex (marsupial lion) Many significant fossils of this animal have been found at Naracoorte, contributing to the knowledge we have. |
Naracoorte Caves National Park, South Australia's only World Heritage Site, (previously a Conservation Park) was proclaimed by the Governor of South Australia as a National Park (50Kb PDF) on 18 January 2001. It is located in the Limestone Coast tourism region in the southeast of South Australia. The importance of the fossil record at Naracoorte Caves was officially recognised in 1994, when the site was inscribed on the World Heritage List. The park preserves 600 ha of remnant vegetation, with 26 caves contained within the 305 ha World Heritage Area.
The park is a visitor destination in itself, with a camping ground and caravan park, dormitory accommodation for groups, picnic grounds and a licenced café. The range of visitor activites is extensive. Show cave tours are guided by professional interpreters through highly decorated caves with some tours visiting significant fossil deposits. Modern technology has been utilised to show visitors the normally inaccessible interior of Bat Cave, where thousands of bats breed each year. Other opportunities include adventure caving, a selection of specialty tours and special events.
World Heritage - Fossils Link Past to Present
The Naracoorte Caves World Heritage inscription recognises the extensive fossil record of the park. The caves have acted as pitfall traps, collecting animals for at least 500,000 years, preserving the most complete fossil record we have for this period of time. The bones of Megafauna species such as Thylacoleo carnifex Marsupial Lion, Thylacine, Zygomaturus and sthenurine kangaroos are found within the 100 fossil deposits found to date. Naracoorte Caves contain clues to help interpret the geological and evolutionary history of Australia.
 |
The massive entrance chamber of Cathedral Cave |
Research into the fossil material has revealed valuable information about the Megafauna, but one question remains unanswered, "why did these giant marsupials disappear?" Perhaps Naracoorte Caves hold the answer to this question.
For further information contact Naracoorte Caves National Park.
Email Naracoorte Caves or
Telephone (61 8) 8762 2340
 |
Copyright (c) Department for Environment and Heritage | Disclaimer | Privacy |
Last Modified: June 5, 2008 DEH: Information Line | Job Vacancies | Events | Media Releases | Links | Legislation |
