Naracoorte Caves National Park
- Introduction
- Fact file
Introduction
Naracoorte Caves National Park, a World Heritage site, has 26 caves that have acted as animal traps for over 500 000 years, leaving an amazing fossil record that spans several ice ages and the arrival of humans. The park is also home to living creatures such as sugar gliders, wombats, echidnas and kangaroos, and birdlife includes honeyeaters, rosellas, kestrels, eastern yellow robins and eastern spinebills.
Entry to some caves is not permitted, but many are accessible and tours cater for all fitness levels. Wet Cave is self-guided and motion sensor lights allow you to see stalactites at your own pace. The Victoria Fossil Cave tour passes through several chambers to the Fossil Chamber, where a palaeontologist gives a 30-minute talk. Longer tours are also available. A short tour of Alexandra Cave reveals delicate examples of stalagmites, straws and stalactites. The Bat Tour visits the Bat Observation Centre and Blanche Cave where thousands of southern bentwing-bats cling to the ceiling. Adventure caving is available, from novice tours through Blackberry and Stick Tomato Caves, to more challenging trips in Starburst Chamber, Fox Cave and Cathedral Cave. Overalls, kneepads and lights are provided for visitors.
The park has dormitory accommodation for groups, a caravan park, camping ground, picnic areas, licensed cafe and walking trails. The short walk from Wonambi Fossil Centre to Wet Cave meanders through remnant native flora and has interpretive signs. The World Heritage trail (1.2 km) runs from near the park entrance road to Victoria Fossil Cave and then through dry sclerophyll forest, red gum woodlands and savannah grassland to the Stoney Point picnic area.
Fact file
Camping
Designated areas only; campfires allowed from May to October
Location
330 km south-east of Adelaide via Dukes Hwy and A66; park is 12 km south-east of Naracoorte
Park Information
DEH (08) 8204 1910 Fossil Centre (08) 8762 2340 NPWSA Naracoorte (08) 8762 3412
Size
600 ha
Where to Stay
Bunkhouse in park (NPWSA Naracoorte) Naracoorte 1800 244 421
Campsites
Explore Australia’s National Parks
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