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Naracoorte Caves National Park |
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| Country: Australia • Region: South East (SA) |  |
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Naracoorte Caves, South Australia's only World Heritage Site, (previously a Conservation Park) was proclaimed by the Governor of South Australia as a National Park on 18 January 2001. It is located in a region of wetlands and limestone ranges in the southeast of South Australia. In caverns beneath the cave range, visitors may view the delicate decorations of calcite, fossils of long-extinct animals, and through infra-red cameras, view Bent-wing bats in the caves they use as their home. The park facilities include a camping ground, dormitory, barbecue and picnic areas and a café. Deposited in the cave sediment as long as 500,000 years ago, in the area we know today as Naracoorte Caves, the bones of Megafauna species such as the marsupial lion (Thylacoleo carnifex) and sthenurine kangaroos have been preserved. The remains of these now-extinct giant marsupials provide crucial links between the past and present. The Megafauna fossils form the most complete record of this period currently available to scientists. As such, the Naracoorte Caves contain clues to help interpret the geological and evolutionary history of Australia. The importance of the fossil record at Naracoorte Caves was officially recognised in 1994, when the site was placed on the World Heritage List. You can enjoy an amazing array of wildlife along the walking trails that wind their way through remnant bushland. Kangaroos, possums, echidnas and sugar gliders are best viewed at sunset. Birdwatchers can observe a diverse range of birds at the gardens around Wonambi Fossil Centre and along the creek which runs through the park. Bool Lagoon, just 10 minutes from the Caves, supports a remarkable array of waterbirds. The Cafe is open daily from 0900 - 1600.
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| Contact Details | Naracoorte South East 5271 Phone: 61 8 8762 2340 Fax: 61 8 8762 1231 Email: parkinfo@saugov.sa.gov.au Website: Click here |
