Things to Do in Margaret River

Hidden away in an ancient marri forest and dripping with stalactites and stalagmites, Mammoth Cave is a mesmerizing sight. The limestone cave is one of the largest in the Margaret River region, located in Western Australia’s Leeuwin-Naturaliste National Park.

Uncover Mammoth Cave’s fascinating history on a self-guided audio tour, following the boardwalk circuit 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 illuminated by slats of natural light. The cave also boasts fossilized remains of animals from 35,000 years ago.

Day tours of the Margaret River region from Perth often include a visit to Mammoth Cave alongside regional attractions such as the Busselton Jetty, Cape Leeuwin Lighthouse, or wine tasting at the Margaret River wineries. Combination tickets are available for Mammoth Cave, Jewel Cave, Lake Cave, and Cape Leeuwin Lighthouse.

 

Mammoth Cave is located in Forest Grove, around 9 miles (4 kilometers) southwest of the town of Margaret River—about a 15-minute drive. 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. The busiest time to visit is during the summer months of January and February, when an early-morning or late-afternoon visit is best for avoiding the crowds.

It’s not just the striking topography that draws the crowds to Mammoth Cave. The cave hit headlines in the early 1900s when archaeologists uncovered the fossilized remains of ancient Australian megafauna, including Tasmanian tigers and giant kangaroos, that have been extinct for thousands of years.