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Ngilgi Cave Ancient Lands Experience

A new experience at Western Australia’s oldest tourist attraction invites visitors to explore the stories of the land, its people, and the environment.

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The Ancient Lands Experience is a captivating addition at the historic Ngilgi Cave, offering visitors and locals a deeper connection to the rich history, culture, and unique environment of the Leeuwin-Naturaliste National Park.

A scenic pathway winds through native bushland, guiding visitors on a journey through 600 million years of stories. Along the way, interactive installations explore:

  • The ancient formation of the landscape
  • The limestone caves of the Leeuwin-Naturaliste ridge
  • The 60,000-year custodianship of the Wadandi people
  • The region’s flora and fauna
  • The European history of Ngilgi Cave

At the midpoint of the journey, visitors are invited to venture underground into the stunning Ngilgi Cave—a place that has captivated people for generations

Ngilgi Cave has welcomed visitors since the early 1900s. Over time, the way people experience the cave has changed, shaped by a growing understanding of its cultural and environmental significance.

By sharing these stories, we hope visitors develop a deeper appreciation for the cave and the surrounding landscape—encouraging care and respect for these places into the future.

For over 70 years, the Capes Foundation (formerly the Geographe Bay Tourism Association) has cared for Ngilgi Cave—one of four caves in the region under long-term stewardship. The Ancient Lands Experience was created with the help of local contractors, artists, storytellers, and Wadandi cultural custodians.

This far South West corner of Australia has an immensely significant history, culture and natural environment. In geological terms, it is understood to be an island within an island, which offered a refuge for life to thrive during the ravages of the ice age. It is also home to the Wadandi people, who have cared for this part of the world for over 60,000 years. We feel incredibly fortunate to call this place home, and through this project we wanted to pay homage to all that makes it special.

~ Steve Harrison, Capes Foundation Director

A Place for All

The Ancient Lands Experience offers new ways for people to connect with the landscape, its history, and its stories.

We were inspired by the idea of travel being the best modern-day form of adult education, and our aim is to create a serene natural setting where visitors can completely immerse themselves and soak up the fascinating stories that are shared.

~ Steve Harrison, Capes Foundation Director

Tod Kearns, Site Manager at Ngilgi Cave and a guide for over 12 years, has witnessed the progress of this project, which has been seven years in the making. Reflecting on the visitor experience, Tod shares:

It was important to us to ensure that Ancient Lands was accessible to everyone, including people in wheelchairs, families with prams and those who may not feel comfortable underground. The result is that all visitors, irrespective of their abilities, can now have an awe-inspiring experience of being immersed in the bushland.

A Place to Connect

Alongside the Ancient Lands Experience, the site now includes a new Aboriginal cultural meeting place, supported by State Government funding.

Cultural experiences delivered by Wadandi Custodian Joshua Whiteland are offered separately and can be booked directly through Koomal Dreaming.

Learn more about Ngilgi Cave Ancient Lands Experience and Koomal Dreaming.