Naracoorte Caves National Park

You will find Naracoorte Caves on the Limestone Coast in South Australia.  Referred to as one of the top 10 fossil sites in the world and the only listed World Heritage UNESCO site in South Australia, these caves are a magnificent sight to see.

The Wonambi Fossil Centre is a great starting place to find out about the extinct animals that roamed around and what the landscape looked like hundreds of thousands of years ago.  The center has a number of interactive displays, and kids can also learn about the scientific work that’s been done to uncover these ancient secrets and how the caves have helped us understand Australia’s distant past.

There are a few caves which are suitable for kids (age dependent), such as the Stick-Tomato Cave which does have steps leading down into the cave but can be completed without a tour guide.  Alternatively, the Alexandra Cave is more suitable for younger kids and is lead by a guide.  The kids can enjoy being transported back in time to when the caves were home to now extinct animals like giant wombats and kangaroos.  The caves are now home to some of the most well-preserved fossils in Australia.

Once you have ventured out of the caves, there are also many walking trails waiting to be explored, that are accessible for kids of all ages.  If you are hoping to stay and explore the area for a few days or more, camping sites for caravans and tents are also available at Naracoorte National Park.  Entry into Naracoorte National Park is free, however there are entry fees to enter the caves, for the tours and for entry into the Wonambi Fossil Centre.