South Australia’s wide array of caves make for a thrilling subterranean adventure on a weekend getaway.
From getting up close to ancient fossils to braving a deep dive under the Earth’s surface, the caves in South Australia offer travellers a unique way to experience the region’s stunning natural beauty and rich history.
Giant’s Cave – a family-friendly expedition
Giant’s Cave is an awesome half-say activity if you’re spending time in Adelaide. A short 20-minute drive from the city centre, the cave is located in Morialta Conservation Park, which has been a recreational escape for nature lovers for over 100 years. The park is known for its rock-climbing experiences, creeks, gorges and waterfalls. It is also home to the biggest playground in Adelaide, with five unique zones to explore featuring climbing boulders, secret tunnels, and an Aboriginal fire pit.
To explore Giant’s Cave, you’ll need to follow the Morialta Falls Plateau Hike. The short 3km trial winds through a forest of tall river red gums, hoe to yellow tailed black cockatoos and sleepy koalas that will delight the kids. The cave, tucked into the cliffside, is a great place to relax and admire the view. Make sure to look out over the lush bushland, and snap a photo with the whole family.
The cave walk is fun at any time of year, with colourful wildflowers in spring and flowing waterfalls in winter.
If you’re travelling with children who love wildlife, the park’s rock pools and creeks are home to small reptiles, frogs and birds that will bring a smile to any face.
If you’re looking to stay in Adelaide, check out North Adelaide Boutique Stays. You can choose from 1, 2 and 3 bedroom studios, to ensure the whole family is comfortable. Plus, you’ll be walking distance from Adelaide Zoo and Adelaide Oval.
Victoria Fossil Cave – a haven for history lovers
Located in Naracoorte Caves National Park – South Australia’s only World Heritage site – Victoria Fossil Cave is home to the remains of thousands of animals dating back more than 200,000 years. The incredible fossils were discovered in 1969, when two brave explorers squeezed through a tight gap in the cave’s wall, and found a massive chamber full of fossilised remains. Since then, the site has been a working paleontological dig.
To visit this impressive cave, you’ll have to sign up for a tour with Naracoorte Caves National Park, which can be purchased online. On tour, you will walk through the stunning speleothem chambers, home to stalactites, stalagmites and helectites, all the way to the fossil chamber. Your knowledgable guide will share fascinating facts about the bones, excavation techniques, and current research. You’ll even have the chance to analyse skeletons of megafauna species.
History lovers won’t want to miss this experience, and it’s just one hour north of Mount Gambier. If you’re looking to stay a bit longer, book a room at the Old Mount Gambier Gaol and continue the historic holiday. Set inside a refurbished gaol, you can enjoy a private room with access to a garden, bar, tennis court and outdoor dining area.
Kelly Hill Caves – an island oasis
Looking for an island getaway and a neat cave to explore? Kelly Hill Caves on Kangaroo Island is the place for you.
Around two million years ago, the sea levels in this area were consistently changing from present levels to a much lower 125 metre-depth. This caused shell fragments from the coast to be deposited on the coast, forming the dunes at Kelly Hill. Eventually, the dunes hardened into limestone, creating a maze of caves and sinkholes filled with stunning tall columns and stalactites.
When visiting, you will be immersed in a brand-new visitor experience, complete with narration and light displays. Start with an above-ground walk, before descending into the cave to explore the labyrinth of caves and towering columns.
Of course, you’ll want to spend more time exploring Kangaroo Island on your trip. Ozone Hotel is a luxury venue offering historic and modern accomodation, as well as an outdoor swimming pool, restaurant, and incredible views over the water.
Tantanoola Caves – an amazing and accessible experience
Just 20 minutes from Mount Gambier on the beautiful Limestone Coast, the Tantanoola Caves in Tantanoola Caves Conservation Park should be on every bucket list. The cave was formed over a long period of time, as the constant pounding of the ocean eroded the cliff face, leaving a cavern of shells, pebbles and seal bones.
It is home to an incredible display of cave decorations known as speleothems, which come in stunning shades of pink and brown, coloured by a dolomite base rock. The ‘Up and Down Rocks’ are another special highlight. When arriving at the cave, you will be greeted by a knowledgeable guide, who will tell you all about the history and geology of the caves, before you’re left to wander the site at your leisure.
Amazingly, Tantanoola is one of Australia’s only wheelchair accessible caves.
Outside of the cave, you can enjoy a beautiful picnic site with a play area for children, and a walking trail on the cliff top, with panoramic views of the surrounding area.
For another incredible Mount Gambier accomodation option, check out Colhurst House. Each deluxe queen room also unlocks access to the lounge, garden, terrace, spa bath, work desk and more. Plus, every room features a private bathroom and all the best amenities.
Talia Caves – a beach-day treat
Located on the shores of stunning Waterloo Bay on the Eyre Peninsula, Talia Caves are a must-visit stop on any beach day.
Start by exploring Talia Beach, a 20km stretch of sandy shores popular with rock fishers and ocean lovers. Then, check out ‘The Woolshed’ – a massive cavern that was carved into the granite cliff by waves. It’s a magnificent site that includes a honeycombed ceiling, crevices, and blowholes. Not too far away, discover ‘The Tub’, a large crater featuring a tunnel connecting it to the sea.
As you wander further along, you’ll come to a cliff face that offers gorgeous views along Talia Beach. It’s truly one of the most beautiful seaside caves in South Australia.
Talia Caves is a 2-hour drive from both Port Lincoln and Ceduna, making it easy to access, and a lovely day trip. Stay at Port Lincoln Hotel, a four-star venue overlooking Boston Bay, which features a restaurant, three bars, a fitness centre and a heated swimming pool.
Flinders Ranges – rich in Indigenous culture
The Flinders Ranges are South Australia’s largest mountain ranges, stretching over 430 kilometres of mountains, tree-lined gorges, and geological wonders. This 600 million-year-old region contains many national parks with incredible Aboriginal history, including the Vulkathunha-Gammon Ranges, which formed the traditional land of the Adnyamathanha people, and Kati Thanda-Lake Eyre National Park, Australia’s largest salt lake and the land of the Arabana and Dieri people.
On the cave front, The Flinders (as its known), is home to 220 cave features, alongside several mines. The caves are mainly situated in pockets of old limestones and dolomites. Make sure to check out the Yourambulla Caves Historic Reserve, where you’ll discover Aboriginal cave paintings and artefacts from millions of years ago.
If you are looking to go on a road trip, Flinders Ranges are a 5-hour drive from Adelaide, so you might want to consider camping under the stars for a night or two in one of the parks. Or, stay at Discovery Resorts – Wilpena Pound, where you can choose between deluxe rooms or safari tents, all with air conditioning. The resort also features a restaurant, bar, swimming pool, convenience store, Visitor Information Centre and tour desk. It offers the perfect base to explore the beautiful national parks.
Engelbrecht Cave – a cave diver’s dream
Unbelievably, this popular tourist attraction was once a rubbish dump for the locals. Thank goodness it was cleaned up in the 1980s, and has now been returned to its former glory days. Right in the centre of Mount Gambier, Engelbrecht Cave is home to fully-guided walking tours, where you will view the impressive sinkhole before descending into two different cavenrs and exploring a breath-taking underground lake with its clear blue waters.
Engelbrecht Cave is also a popular spot with certified cave divers, who can access areas not open to the general public. There are approximately 600 metres of caves to explore when diving, including an enclosed body of water with overhang, darkness zones and passages large enough for two divers to dive adjacently.
Once you’ve finished exploring, head aboveground to the cave’s cafe for coffee and cake while overlooking the sinkhole entrance.
Engelbrecht Cave is the perfect addition to a day exploring Mount Gambier. If you want to discover the area on a budget, stay at Mid City Motel, which offers comfortable apartments with air-conditioning, a kitchenette, a private bathroom, and free on-site parking.
Check out flights to Mount Gambier through Rex Airlines here.
If you liked this story about caves in South Australia, check out our feature on 7 must-see caves in Western Australia.
