On our recent trip to Western Australia, Mammoth Cave in Boranup shot straight to the top of our highlights list. It’s about 15 minutes from the Margaret River township and just under an hour from Busselton, so it fits beautifully into a day out in the region.

Walking in, we genuinely had no idea what we were about to experience. I don’t say this lightly—we’ve visited caves before, including one in Tasmania that we loved—but this was something else entirely. The sheer scale of the chambers, the formations towering above us, the cool stillness of the air underground.

A little piece of Mammoth Cave ancient history

What makes Mammoth Cave so remarkable isn’t just its beauty, but what’s been preserved inside it. More than 10,000 fossils have been discovered here, including the remains of giant animals that roamed Australia roughly 46,000 years ago.

The cave itself sits within a limestone ridge that stretches 90 kilometres and was formed over a million years—shaped from ancient sand dunes, seashells, and coral, slowly cemented by rain and time. It’s one of those places that makes you feel genuinely small in the best possible way.

What to know before you go

Getting there: Roughly 15 minutes from Margaret River township and under an hour from Busselton. There’s easy parking on site.

The tour: Mammoth Cave is fully self-guided, which we loved. You’re handed an audio headset at the start and can move at your own pace through about 15 points of interest—just tap in the number on each sign as you go. My kids absolutely loved this and were so engaged.

How long to allow: Set aside around 45 minutes to an hour inside the cave. A little more if you linger, which you absolutely will.

Accessibility: The entry and first chamber are wheelchair accessible via a boardwalk, which is wonderful. There are quite a few stairs and viewing points further in, however.

Seasonal magic: If you visit in late winter or spring, a stream actually flows through parts of the cave, and on the walk out through the forest you’ll find wildflowers and rare orchids in bloom. Such a beautiful bonus.

After the cave: Don’t rush off. The exit leads you into a tranquil walk through towering marri and karri trees — it’s a genuinely peaceful way to end the experience and worth taking slowly.

Nearby: Lake Cave is practically next door, making the two a brilliant pairing if you want a full day exploring underground. We’d absolutely do both next time.

Coming out of the dark cave into the bright, vivid sunlight was a memorable experience. We did a little walk back to the car park surrounded by the beautiful wildflowers, it felt like heaven and was an experience I’ll always remember.