The Naracoorte Caves were World Heritage-Listed in 1994 for their importance in telling the story of Australia’s unique animal heritage. For 500,000 years, the caves acted as a pitfall, trapping animals, including now extinct megafauna such as the marsupial lion and giant kangaroos. Today the caves are among the world’s best preserved fossil sites and contain a record of these extinct species as well as those still living today. You can explore four of the caves on guided and self-guided tours and also experience first-hand the impressive fossil record which spans several ice ages, the arrival of humans in the area and the extinction of Australia’s iconic Megafauna roughly 45,000 years ago. Above the ground you’ll find recreated megafauna & skeletons on display at the Visitor Centre, walking trails and a café.

FAST FACTS!

• Naracoorte Caves National Park is South Australia’s only World Heritage listed site

• Watch the critically endangered southern bent-wing bats at the Bat Observation Centre via infrared camera – then see them for real in Blanche Cave

• If you don’t mind crawling and getting dirty, try an adventure caving tour

• The caves stay at a constant 17 degrees centigrade

• Blanche Cave was discovered by Europeans in 1845 and for many years was used for picnics, and an escape from the summer heat