Regional WA Attractions

Regional WA attractions on this page cluster in the south-west, with the Margaret River caves, two lighthouses with guided tower tours and the Dolphin Discovery Centre at Bunbury. This page covers each one, and links back to the wider list of things to do in regional WA.

Margaret River caves

The guided Lake Cave tour walks down a staircase through an ancient sinkhole into a sunken forest, then into a chamber with a reflective underground lake and a crystal formation called the Suspended Table. It is a 1-hour guided tour, with around 300 stairs each way.

The Mammoth Caves tour is a self-guided audio walk, with audio in English, French, German, Malay and Mandarin, through a cave that once held more than 10,000 fossils, many from long-extinct megafauna. The Ngilgi Cave Ancient Lands Adventure starts above ground on a bushland pathway with interactive installations on the cultural connections to the land, then continues into the cave, which is decorated with stalactites, stalagmites, helictites and shawls. Compare the full set on the Margaret River caves tours page, and see Aboriginal experiences in regional WA for cultural tours.

Cape Leeuwin and Cape Naturaliste lighthouses

The Cape Leeuwin Lighthouse Tower Tour covers a limestone tower built in 1895 and described as the tallest lighthouse on mainland Australia. The 30-minute guided tour climbs to the top, where the Southern and Indian Oceans meet, and includes the Lightkeepers' Museum.

The Cape Naturaliste Lighthouse Guided Tour is a 30-minute guided tour with an easy climb of 59 steps to a balcony looking over the Indian Ocean, Leeuwin-Naturaliste National Park and Geographe Bay. Tours run through the day from 9.30am to 4.30pm, and the heritage precinct includes the lightkeeper's cottage and museum.

Dolphin Discovery Centre and the Bunbury coast

The Dolphin Discovery Centre entry ticket gives all-day admission from 9am to 3pm to an indoor aquarium and exhibition about the Bunbury dolphins, plus access to the Dolphin Interaction Zone on the beach. Wild dolphins visit most often in the warmer months between 8am and 11am, but they come and go as they please, so sightings can't be promised. No dolphins are held in captivity. For animal attractions beyond the whale boats, the regional WA zoos and aquariums page has more.

On the water, the same centre runs the 90-minute Dolphin Discovery Eco Cruise and a seasonal wild dolphin swim.

Snorkelling the Dampier Archipelago

Up in the Pilbara, the Dampier snorkelling and sightseeing cruise is a 4-hour small-group trip through the islands to a coral reef snorkelling spot, with gear included. Fish, rays and turtles are the usual sightings, and whales can appear in season.

Putting a south-west day together

Cave and lighthouse tours run on set session times, so line up the departures before you choose. Lake Cave tours depart between 9.20am and 4.00pm, Cape Naturaliste tours run from 9.30am to 4.30pm, and Cape Leeuwin tours start from 9.30am. Wear enclosed footwear for the stairs, and leave tripods and selfie sticks behind, as they are not allowed in the caves or on the lighthouse tours.

Frequently asked questions

Are the Margaret River caves suitable for children?

The Lake Cave and Mammoth Cave tours have child tickets for ages 4 to 16, and children must be accompanied by an adult at Lake Cave. Cape Leeuwin Lighthouse does not allow children under 4 on its tower tour.

How many stairs are there at Lake Cave and Mammoth Cave?

Lake Cave has about 300 stairs each way. Mammoth Cave has about 370 steps through the cave after the first chamber, plus a climb of 170 steps to exit.

Can I take a tripod into the Margaret River caves or lighthouses?

No. Tripods, camera stands and selfie sticks are not allowed on the cave or lighthouse tours, though photography without them is permitted.

How long are the Cape Leeuwin and Cape Naturaliste lighthouse tours?

Both are 30-minute guided tower tours. Cape Naturaliste has an easy climb of 59 steps to the balcony.

Will I see wild dolphins at the Dolphin Discovery Centre in Bunbury?

Not every visit. Wild dolphins visit the beach interaction zone most often in the warmer months between 8am and 11am, and they cannot be guaranteed as they come and go freely.

Is the Dolphin Discovery Centre accessible?

The Dolphin Discovery Centre in Bunbury has disability access throughout, including beach access, and beach wheelchairs are available. Free coach, caravan and campervan parking is across the road.

The caves and lighthouses make an easy south-west day on their own, and the Bunbury dolphin centre adds a wildlife stop on the coast. Choose your session times and book online.