Home Destinations Australia and The Pacific Australia Perth Sights Leeuwin-Naturaliste National Park

Leeuwin-Naturaliste National Park Review

Read our Perth sights reviews. Or post your own.

Leeuwin-Naturaliste National Park

Fodor's Review:

The northernmost part of the park is 266 km (165 mi) south of Perth, 25 km (16 mi) northwest of Dunsborough.

This 150-km (93-mi) stretch of coastline on the southwest tip of the continent is one of Australia's most fascinating areas. The limestone Leeuwin-Naturaliste Ridge directly below the park contains more than 360 known caves. Evidence dates both human and animal habitation here to more than 40,000 years ago.

The CaveWorks (08/9757-7411. ) display center at Lake Cave presents a good introduction to the whole cave system. Four major cave systems are easily accessible. Mammoth (08/9757-7411), which has ancient fossil remains of extinct animals, is open daily 9-5:30, with the last entry at 4:30. Self-guided tours cost A$17. Ngilgi (08/9755-2152), near Yallingup, is a main site for adventure caving. It's open daily 9:30-4:30, staying open to 5 PM during summer school holidays The view from the top of the Cape Leeuwin Lighthouse (08/9757-7411. www.margaretriver.com), a 10-minute drive south of Augusta and the third-highest working lighthouse in Australia, allows you to witness the meeting of the Southern and the Indian oceans. In some places this alliance results in giant swells that crash against the rocks. In others, small coves are blessed with calm waters ideal for swimming. The lighthouse precinct is open daily 8:45-5. Guided tours to the top of the lighthouse cost A$10 and run every 30 minutes during September-April and every 40 minutes May-August. The last tour is at 4:30 PM. At the northern end of the park stands Cape Naturaliste Lighthouse, open daily 9:30-5 December to February, closing at 4 the rest of the year. Fully guided tours of the lighthouse cost A$10, with the last tour at 3:30. A 1½-km-long (1-mi-long) trail leads from Cape Naturaliste to Canal Rocks, passing rugged cliffs, quiet bays, and curving beaches. This is also the start of the 120-km (75-mi) Cape to Cape Walk. Jewel (08/9757-7411), the southernmost of the system, has one of the longest straw stalactites to be found in any tourist cave in the world. It's open daily with tours every hour 9:30 AM-3:30 PM. Cave tours cost A$17 and run every half hour. Flashlight tours (where cave lights are turned off and the only light is from the flashlights) cost A$18, and adventure tours are A$70. Adventure caving and flashlight tours are available by prior arrangement only.

Lake (08/9757-7411), centered around a tranquil, eerie-looking underground lake, is also open daily with tours every hour 9:30-3:30. Tour cost at both Jewel and Lake caves is A$17. If you don't plan to camp, consider staying at Dunsborough or Margaret River. Campgrounds with toilets, showers, and an information center are north in Injidup. Campsites (including firewood) cost A$6 per adult per night. Facilities include toilets and barbecue facilities. For more information on camping in the state, visit www.naturebase.net.

Find more sights in Perth »

Member Reviews and Ratings

Be the first to review this property

Get Advice From Other Travelers

Visit the Travel Talk forums for help on planning your trip



Get the Fodor's Newsletter

For more travel ideas, tips, and deals, sign up for the Fodor's newsletter here. Read the current issue. Browse previous issues.




Copyright © 2009 Fodor's Travel, a division of Random House, Inc.