Naracoorte Caves
Visiting the Naracoorte Caves (World Heritage)
World Heritage fossil caves, about 40 minutes from our cabins.
Photo: Alpha / Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 2.0
Visiting the caves? Our log cabins are about 40 minutes away, on a working farm with a private golf course. Sleeps 4 per cabin.
World Heritage
South Australia's only World Heritage site
Naracoorte Caves National Park and the Riversleigh fossil site in Queensland together form the Australian Fossil Mammal Sites World Heritage Area, listed in 1994. For at least 500,000 years the caves acted as pitfall traps and owl roosts, building up one of the most complete fossil records of Australia's ice-age animals, including the megafauna.
Allow at least half a day; a full day lets you do two tours, the Wonambi Fossil Centre and a walking trail. Entry to the park is free, and tours have a fee.
Tours
Which cave to choose
Times, prices and seasons change, so check and book on the official Naracoorte Caves site.
Victoria Fossil Cave
The cave the park is famous for. In 1969 explorers found a huge chamber full of fossil bones, and it's still a working dig. The guided tour takes about an hour, with about 50 steps in and a sloping path out.
Alexandra Cave
A short guided introduction to how the caves formed, and a good choice with small children.
Stick-Tomato Cave
An easy self-guided walk through a well-lit cave, suitable for all ages.
Bat Tour (Bat Observation Centre and Blanche Cave)
Watch the critically endangered southern bent-wing bats on infrared camera, then explore Blanche Cave. Only offered from 1 September to 30 April, to protect the bats.
World Heritage tour
A behind-the-scenes visit to working fossil digs and the fossil lab, for serious fossil fans. Bookings essential.
Wonambi & kids
Megafauna, playgrounds and what to wear
The Wonambi Fossil Centre recreates the landscape when giant marsupials roamed the area, and entry is included with most cave tickets. There's also a Fossil Hunters Nature Playground for letting off steam between tours, and a café.
Wear closed shoes with good grip, and bring a layer: caves are cool and can be damp. Sitting in the Victoria Fossil Cave chamber can be a long half hour for little ones, so start them on Stick-Tomato or Alexandra Cave.
Naracoorte
Things to do in Naracoorte town
Naracoorte is the nearest big town to the caves. The Sheep's Back Museum, in the old flour mill, tells the story of the wool industry. In summer the free Naracoorte Swimming Lake (usually open from late November to the end of March) is a hit with families, with shallow areas, shade and BBQs. Find details at Visit Limestone Coast.
Combine it with Bool Lagoon
Bool Lagoon is a Ramsar-listed wetland about 24 km south of Naracoorte and roughly on the way back to the cabins. The 1 km Tea-tree boardwalk leads to a bird hide; water levels and birdlife vary with the season, so check with National Parks SA.
Getting there
From the cabins to the caves
| From the cabins to | Drive (approx.) |
|---|---|
| Naracoorte Caves (approx. 46 km) | About 40 min |
| Naracoorte (town) (approx. 47 km) | About 40 min |
| Bool Lagoon (approx. 31 km) | About 35 min |
| Coonawarra cellar doors (approx. 14 km) | About 20 min |
Drive times are approximate, measured from the cabins with online mapping (OpenStreetMap routing) and rounded. Allow extra time for gravel roads, farm traffic, wildlife at dusk and stops.
Naracoorte Caves accommodation
Stay nearby in a log cabin
A day underground, then an evening by the fire pit. Our cabins sleep 4 each (bunks included), with room for kids to run. Book direct with Dave.
Why stay at Murray's Cottages
- Two self-contained 2-bedroom log cabins, Callistemon & Banksia, each sleeping 4 (book both for up to 8)
- A working farm with lawns, gum trees and birdlife
- Our own challenging 9-hole golf course, free for guests
- Pets welcome
- The cottages are left unlocked for you: check in from 3pm, check out by 11am
- From $250 a night ($300 peak), 2-night minimum
How far are the Naracoorte Caves from Murray's Cottages?
Which cave tour is best for young kids?
Do we need to book cave tours?
Can we bring our dog to the caves or Bool Lagoon?
Can we book both cabins for a family group?
Photo credits
- Alexandra Cave, Naracoorte Caves. Photo: Mulayrahul / Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 4.0
- Wonambi Fossil Centre, Naracoorte Caves. Photo: RegionVisitor90 / Wikimedia Commons, CC BY 4.0
- Bool Lagoon boardwalk. Photo: Scott Davis / Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 3.0
- Vines on terra rossa soil, Coonawarra. Photo: Alpha / Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 2.0
- Historic cottages, Penola. Photo: Shav Bird / Wikimedia Commons, CC BY 3.0
- Blue Lake, Mount Gambier. Photo: Dietmar Rabich / Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 4.0
- Victoria Fossil Cave, Naracoorte Caves. Photo: Alpha / Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 2.0