Mammoth Cave

There are numerous ways to experience Mammoth Cave. You can take a self-guided audio tour from the cave entrance, which will take you along a boardwalk and through the 1,640-foot-long (500-meter) cavern. Highlights of the cave include unique rock formations like the Karri Forest Flowstone and the Mammoth Shawl, all dramatically lit up by slats of natural light. The cave also boasts fossilized remains of animals from 35,000 years ago.

Some day trips to the Margaret River region from Perth include Mammoth Cave tours. Day tours typically also include visits to regional attractions such as the Busselton Jetty and the Cape Leeuwin Lighthouse. Some include wine tasting at the Margaret River wineries. Combination Jewel Cave, Lake Cave, and Cape Leeuwin Lighthouse, and Mammoth Cave tickets are also available.

• Mammoth Cave is ideal for fans of fossils and all things cave, and for families with children.

• Wear comfortable shoes and bring a light sweater—it can get cool inside the cave.

• The cave’s first chamber is accessible to wheelchair users and strollers.

Mammoth Cave is located in Forest Grove, around a 15-minute drive southwest of the town of Margaret River. There’s no public transportation to the cave, so you’ll need your own vehicle or to join a guided tour.

The cave is open daily all year-round, but the summer months of January and February get the most crowds. If you're visiting during this time, consider coming in the early morning or late afternoon to avoid the crowds.

It’s not just the striking topography that draws the crowds to Mammoth Cave. In the early 1900s, archaeologists uncovered the fossilized remains of ancient Australian megafauna. Findings include giant kangaroos, which had been extinct for thousands of years.

Most visitors can see the Mammoth Cave highlights in about 1.5 hours. Sightseers are free to explore at their own pace, accompanied by a 1-hour audio tour as they go. Trips to the cave typically conclude with a walk through a surrounding marri tree forest.

No, you don’t need a formal tour to explore Mammoth Cave. The cave has elevated paths and stairways with handrails, making it easy to discover for yourself. Self-guided 1-hour mp3 audio tours are also available and provide more information about the cave’s history and archaeological significance.

Mammoth Cave’s standard visiting experience is accessible to most visitors. A gently sloping boardwalk feeds into the cave’s mouth, and wheelchair-friendly elevated paths provide access. Visitors looking for more of a workout can ascend the staircases and explore the outdoor Marri Walk Trail.

Mammoth Cave offers one primary tour experience, a self-guided tour complete with mp3 audio guide, which makes it easy for families to explore the landmark at their own pace. Note that, while the cave has stroller-friendly paths, tall stairways may be harder for younger kids to navigate.

The self-guided tour at Mammoth Cave costs A$24 for all adult visitors. Children aged 12 and under can receive discounted entry of A$12, and seniors can pay a discounted rate of A$22. Note that the self-guided option is the only way to explore the landmark.

Mammoth Cave is open daily (except on Christmas Day) from 9am to 5pm. It’s best to arrive at least 1.5 hours before closing to see the highlights without rushing. To beat the crowds, arrive early and avoid visiting on weekends and school holidays.