Ngilgi Cave Yallingyup Features: Semi Guided Tour | Tours Daily | 9am – 5pm | Tours every 30 mins | Kids Under 4 Free
Ngilgi Cave (formerly known as Yallingup Cave) is one of Yallingup’s most renowned tourist attractions and get it’s name from the Aboriginal legend that describes the battle between the good spirit (Ngilgi) and the evil spirit (Wolgine). Our review is of the Semi-Guided Show Cave Tour however you can also book a couple of different adventure tours if you want to explore deeper into the caves and get a bit more adventurous.
The tour is semi-guided, so our tour group will started with a short talk with an expert tour guide about the history and features of the area and the cave. Our guide walked us down the main cave entry and landing area where he told us more about the key features of the cave to explore before we were able to head out on our own to explore. Once the tour guide has finished you are welcome to take as long as you like to explore the cave.
The tour is suitable for those without any mobility issues. There are a series of boardwalks and handrails as well as some steep steps throughout the cave, and some very narrow points where you need to go single file or duck your head to squeeze through. The temperature within the cave remains at around 20 degrees all year round, so it feels a little cool in summer, but once you get exploring it soon doesn’t feel so cool.
There are elevated CO2 levels within the cave so we all felt a little breathless climbing back towards the top of the cave, even the kids. We just took our time coming back up having little breaks along the way, so it wasn’t a major issue but could be for those with pre-existing breathing difficulties or little ones that may find this breathlessness distressing. If you have done Mammoth Cave in Margaret River, I would say Ngilgi Cave is slightly higher on the adventurous scale and requires a slightly higher level of fitness.
Of course the kids wanted to explore the whole cave so off we went. There are plaques throughout the cave pointing out the key features and the lighting is amazing, highlighting the beauty of some of the special features of the cave.
You will also find a touch table within the cave and a guide to answer any questions you have about the cave or the cave features. This gives you an opportunity to pick up and touch some of the formations that you can see around the caves.
We left the climb down into the magnificent theatrette section for the end of our tour. The sheer size and detail of the formations was incredible. The kids layed down on the ground at the bottom and looked up and gave the acoustics a test out with a few “cooees”.
The kids absolutely loved the man made tunnel they could crawl through. It’s runs through a section of the cave and you can look out peep holes in the tunnel to see more beautiful features of the cave. We finished off our tour with one or two (ok maybe about 5) goes crawling through the tunnel. I had a go through the tunnel too, but I’m not going to lie it was awkward and there may have been some cramping as I made my way through.
We spent about an hour exploring the cave after the tour guide talk and found our way out of the cave and grabbed a well earned ice-cream from the booking office to enjoy on our way out, where you can also find a range of gifts and souvenirs.
Ngilgi Cave Yallingup is suitable for those who have a good level of fitness and mobility and that don’t have any pre-existing breathing difficulties. Access to the cave is via stairs only there is no disabled access. Younger children may need assistance up an down steep steps and could find breathlessness from elevated CO2 levels distressing. If you are in the Margaret River area and want a more accessible cave for younger children we recommend Mammoth Cave . Ticket prices available on website (link below) and family pass available.
More Information and Booking: ?? www.amazed.com.au (get 10% off with code AMZ10)
How To Get There:
Review by Kids Around Perth Reporter Lauren, 16th February 2019
Back to Margaret River & Surrounds Attractions
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