Naracoorte Caves National Park
The Cave Tours
There are 26 caves in the park. Not all are open for visitation as some are set aside for scientific research or for protection of the cave and its contents. Several caves are available for public viewing, from regular show cave tours through to long adventure caving tours.
 |
The visitor's eye view of the Victoria Fossil Cave fossil chamber |
Victoria Fossil Cave Tour
About 400 metres of this cave has a developed pathway and constructed stairs. There are about 50 steps into the cave and a steep sloping path leading out of the cave, but it is a relatively easy walk. Wheelchair access is difficult but may be achieved with prior booking.
The tour of this cave passes through several decorated chambers on the way to the Fossil Chamber. Here, your guide will provide a fascinating introduction to the fossil story and the animals identified from the fossil deposit. The talk is suitable for all ages, but does involve up to half an hour in the Fossil Chamber and may not be suitable for some young energetic children.
This tour best showcases the World Heritage values of Naracoorte Caves.
Alexandra Cave Tour
One of the park's many treasures, the 30 minute tour explores three chambers of this spectacularly decorated cave. The walk is easy with plenty of opportunities to photograph exceptional cave formations. This cave contains the most impressive cave decorations; with beautiful examples of stalactites, stalagmites, helectites and columns. A cluster of stalactites reflected in a pool of water is a highlight as is a huge collection of straws.
There are 25 steps leading into the cave and 35 to exit, making it suitable for all ages and fitness levels. The short tour is particularly suitable for families and those who wish to see a pretty cave.
Wet Cave
Wet Cave is the only cave on park that may be visited without a guide. It has a light system activated by motion sensors as visitors explore the cave at their leisure. Entry to this cave comes with the purchase of a ticket to either Alexandra Cave or the Wonambi Fossil Centre. The robust columns and stalactites offer a wonderful contrast to the delicate formations in Alexandra Cave. About 20 steps lead down into the cave and it is suitable for all ages.
 |
Blanche Cave |
The Bat Tour
As the name suggests, this tour focuses on bats. The tour incorporates two sites, the Bat Observation Centre and the Blanche Cave. In the Bat Observation Centre visitors sit in comfort watching the daily activities of the colony of Southern Bentwing Bats via infrared cameras. This world first technology is a true eco-tourism experience, further expanded during summer months when an evening tour incorporates the bats' exit flight. Many amazing sights have been witnessed on the cameras, including bats giving birth, tending to their young and even a two metre brown snake that had fallen into the cave.
The tour also incorporates a stroll through Blanche Cave, well known for its cultural history, but also an important bat wintering site. At times, many thousands can be observed clinging to the ceiling in a deep torpor. This tour involves about 400 metres of walking and about 30 steps into Blanche Cave. The Bat Observation Centre is wheel chair accessible.
Adventure Caving
A range of adventure caving opportunities are available. The hire of overalls, kneepads and lights is included in the tour price; all you need is good footwear and a sense of adventure. Minimum ages apply to all tours and participants need to have a reasonable level of fitness. Blackberry and Stick Tomato are our "novice" tours, designed for everyone while for safety reasons, Fox Cave and Starbusrt Chamber can only be undertaken once a novice tour is completed.
Blackberry Cave
A section of this cave is used for 1½ hour adventure tours. The cave is low with lots of good crawls and squeezes. Suitable for the energetic and those who love a challenge. A minimum age of eight applies.
Stick-Tomato Cave
This cave is the section beyond what visitors see on the Wet Cave self-guided tour. It is a great 1½ hour tour for the entire family, as the squeezes and challenges are optional, allowing parents to watch the children enjoy the caving experience. A minimum age of eight applies.
Starburst Chamber
One of the extended adventure tours, this visits Starburst Chamber as well as several other spectacular chambers in Victoria Fossil Cave. A pre-requisite to undertaking this tour is either Stick-Tomato Cave or Blackberry Cave. The crawl is reasonably long, but is less strenuous than Fox Cave. Not suitable for children under 12 years old.
Fox Cave
Undeveloped and in its natural state, Fox Cave is a three hour trip with lots of great scenes. The cave has extensive speleothem development, is an important bat wintering site, has a rare invertebrate colony and areas of fossils. All are encountered on this tour but it is not suitable for children under 12 years old.
Specialty Tours
We recognise that people have many different interests and seek out different experiences. For that reason, we have developed a series of specialty tours that are more in-depth with regard to the level of information provided. These tours are generally available by prior booking only, so please call ahead.
World Heritage Tour
A behind the scenes tour that enables those with a passion and interest in palaeontology to receive more information and get a close look at where the research takes place in Victoria Fossil Cave and Blanche Cave. A senior Staff member leads a maximum of four people to the main research areas and then leads visitors through a close up look of the Fossil Laboratory. The tour is three hours long, is information intensive and is only available for adults.
Disabled Access
Caves, by their very nature, are difficult to provide easy access for everyone. Naracoorte Caves have several facilities accessible by wheelchairs, including the Wonambi Fossil Centre and Bat Observation Centre. The Caves Café, Wirreanda Bunkhouse and Campground all have wheelchair accessible facilities.
Victoria Fossil Cave can be accessed by wheelchairs, but this requires special attention and prior arrangement. Please contact Naracoorte Caves National Park to discuss possibilities. Tantanoola Cave, which is 110 km from Naracoorte, located between Millicent and Mount Gambier is wheelchair accessible.
Guide dogs are welcome in all of Naracoorte Caves facilities.
Tour Cost
Tour pricing information (prices include GST)
Tour Times
| 9.30 am | Alexandra Cave (30 minutes) / Wet Cave combination |
| 10.15 am | Victoria Fossil Cave (60 minutes) |
| 11.30 am | Bat Centre / Blanche Cave (60 minutes) |
| 1.30 pm | Alexandra Cave (30 minutes)/ Wet Cave combination |
| 2.15 pm | Victoria Fossil Cave (60 minutes) |
| 3.30 pm | Bat Centre / Blanche Cave (60 minutes) |
9 am to 5 pm Wonambi Fossil Centre/Wet Cave Self guided walks. (Additional tours provided during holiday seasons).
Walking Trails
 |
Enjoy alfresco dining at the Caves Café |
 |
The World Heritage Walking Trail is 1.3 km long, taking in several features on the way from the Wonambi Fossil Centre to Victoria Fossil Cave. The focus of the signage is the World Heritage values of the park, making it the perfect walk for schools or those who wish to learn more.
Further trails from the Victoria Fossil Cave car park lead to the Stoney Point picnic ground, taking in an ancient limestone cliff, redgum flats and the tranquil Mosquito Creek.
The Caves Café
Naracoorte Caves offers such a variety of experiences; you may be looking for a snack or a meal to get you through the day. The Caves Café has a wide variety of meal options, from a sandwich through to a full sit down meal with a fine local wine.
Wirreanda Bunkhouse
The bunkhouse is ideal for schools or other groups and can sleep up to 50 people. Rooms are set up to sleep four, six or up to a maximum of eight in the larger rooms.
A fully equipped kitchen, laundry and ablution block are all close by. Pricing information (prices include GST).
Camping
Facilities:
Camping facilities consist of ten powered sites and a large area for tents. All power and laundry facilities as well as rainwater are available to campers
Fees:
Camping fees information (prices include GST)
Visitor conditions:
Sorry - no pets allowed.
Firearms are prohibited.
Camping is permitted only in designated areas.
Wood fires are allowed from 1 May to 31 October each year, but only in designated fire pits.
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 |
