Jewel Cave: Everything you need to know
Full of wonders on the land, in the sea and up in the sky, Western Australia has experiences waiting for you in all directions.
Don’t think for one second that doesn’t include underground either – and we’re not talking about fossil fuels. WA is also spoilt for choice when it comes to caves to explore, and there are a heap in the southwest region, including the state’s largest tourist option – Jewel Cave:
What is it?
A truly magical sight to behold, Jewel Cave is the largest show cave in Western Australia, comprised of three enormous chambers. It’s also one of the most decorated caves in WA, filled with thousands of years old rock formations including helictites, stalagmites, stalactites, flowstones, fossils, cave coral and more.
It’s home to one of the largest stalagmites in the country, and an incredible underground network of steps and climbs to explore every inch.
Where is it?
The cave is in Deepdene, 10 minutes northwest of Augusta or a quick 30-minute drive south of Margaret River. Just take the Jewel Cave Road turn-off along Caves Road from either direction.
What to do:
Bring your sense of adventure and book a tour! Guided tours run regularly throughout the day, and are the best way to get the most from your Jewel Cave experience. The tours run for an hour every half-hour from 9am-5pm, and will set you back $24 for adults and less for kids or family groups.
Make sure you pop into the Jewel Cave Interpretation Centre and check out the stunning Tasmanian Tiger fossil – a species which used to roam the area as evidenced by several fossils found in the caves.
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Outside of the cave is also surrounded by spectacular karri forests, so feel free to take your own self-guided tour on one of the many trails in the area. The Jewel Cave Café also makes for a nice stop-in to fuel up with a coffee or lunch.
What not to do:
Dress unprepared – Being underground the caves are always cooler than whatever the air temperature is above ground, so dress appropriately.
Jump over the rails – The cave environment is an incredibly delicate one, so make sure you stick to the paths and don’t go pulling the rock formations from the walls!
Anything else?
If you’re looking for more things to do in our beautiful southwest, head here.