RoadAtlas
Caves Road — Australia — Scenic
Australia & Pacific

Caves Road

Australia

In short: Caves Road is a 111 km scenic road trip in Australia, typically driven over 2–3 days, best in September – May. Highlights: Cape Naturaliste Lighthouse, Ngilgi Cave, Margaret River.

Distance
111 km
Duration
2–3 days
Best Season
September – May
NotableEasyScenicEV-friendly

A short but extraordinary drive through the limestone karst of Western Australia's Margaret River region, above ground, the world's largest karri forests and a hundred world-class wineries; below, four show caves of stalactites and crystal formations accessible on guided tours along a single winding road.

Practical notes
Caves Road is sealed throughout and fine in any car, but summer holiday traffic can make the northern end slow around Yallingup and Dunsborough. Fuel is easiest to top up in Dunsborough, Margaret River, and Augusta; cave tours and lighthouse access run on set hours, and some underground sites can close after heavy rain or for maintenance.
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Stops along the route

Margaret River — City — Caves Road — Australia
City
Margaret River
The wine and surf capital of WA, over 120 cellar doors within 30 minutes. World-class Cabernet and surf at the rivermouth break since the 1970s.
Hotels

Things to Do

Cape Naturaliste Lighthouse — Landmark — Caves Road — Australia
Landmark
Cape Naturaliste Lighthouse
An 1904 limestone headland lighthouse above turquoise Indian Ocean water. Humpback whales pass the bay below from June to August.
Ngilgi Cave — Landmark — Caves Road — Australia
Landmark
Ngilgi Cave
The northernmost show cave on Caves Road, formed 500,000 years ago. Ornate helictites spiral in every direction inside the lit chambers.
Mammoth Cave — Landmark — Caves Road — Australia
Landmark
Mammoth Cave
A self-guided fossil cave with megafauna bones in the floor: Zygomaturus and Thylacoleo species that roamed WA 35,000 years ago.
Lake Cave — Landmark — Caves Road — Australia
Landmark
Lake Cave
A 62-step descent into a chamber with an underground lake reflecting a stalactite table formed 350,000 years ago. The mirror image is flawless.
Jewel Cave — Landmark — Caves Road — Australia
Landmark
Jewel Cave
The most spectacular cave on the road: a 75 m chamber of straw stalactites and a thylacine skeleton visible in situ in the cave wall.
Cape Leeuwin Lighthouse — Landmark — Caves Road — Australia
Landmark
Cape Leeuwin Lighthouse
Australia's most south-westerly point, where the Indian and Southern Oceans meet. Flinders charted this coast in 1801 from this exact headland.
Cape to Cape Track — Hike — Caves Road — Australia
Hike
Cape to Cape Track
Embark on a scenic coastal trek offering breathtaking views and diverse landscapes.
Boranup Forest — Scenic Viewpoint — Caves Road — Australia
Scenic Viewpoint
Boranup Forest
Wander through towering karri trees in this enchanting forest setting.
Margaret River Chocolate Company — Food Experience — Caves Road — Australia
Food Experience
Margaret River Chocolate Company
Indulge in handcrafted chocolates and witness the art of chocolate making.

Where to Eat

Eagle Bay Brewing Co. — Brewery — Caves Road — Australia
Brewery
Eagle Bay Brewing Co.
Enjoy craft beers and gourmet pizzas with panoramic views of the countryside.
Clancy's Fish Pub — Seafood — Caves Road — Australia
Seafood
Clancy's Fish Pub
Savor fresh seafood and local wines in a relaxed, family-friendly atmosphere.
Settlers Tavern — Pub — Caves Road — Australia
Pub
Settlers Tavern
Experience live music and hearty pub meals in the heart of Margaret River.

Explore related routes

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Frequently asked questions

How long is the Caves Road drive?

The Caves Road covers 111 km from start to finish.

How long does the Caves Road take to drive?

Most travellers spend 2–3 days on the Caves Road, depending on stops and pace.

When is the best time to drive the Caves Road?

The recommended season for the Caves Road is September – May.

Where does the Caves Road start and end?

The Caves Road runs from Cape Naturaliste Lighthouse to Cape Leeuwin Lighthouse.

What are the main stops on the Caves Road?

The Caves Road passes through Cape Naturaliste Lighthouse, Ngilgi Cave, Margaret River.

Can I drive the Caves Road in a regular car?

Yes — the Caves Road is paved end-to-end and a regular car is fine in normal conditions.

Is the Caves Road EV friendly?

Yes — the Caves Road has charger coverage along the route and works as an EV road trip.

Is the Caves Road safe to drive?

Caves Road is sealed throughout and fine in any car, but summer holiday traffic can make the northern end slow around Yallingup and Dunsborough. Fuel is easiest to top up in Dunsborough, Margaret River, and Augusta; cave tours and lighthouse access run on set hours, and some underground sites can close after heavy rain or for maintenance.

What scenic tier is the Caves Road?

The Caves Road is a notable drive — Notable scenic drives — strong character routes that locals know well and that reward travellers willing to step beyond the most-photographed roads.