Princess Margaret Rose Caves
Unusual limestone caves near the Victoria-South Australia border.
The Princess Margaret Rose Caves are situated within the Lower Glenelg National Park at the south-western corner of Victoria, 447 km west of Melbourne and just 2 km inside the state boundary.

The limestone was formed by the deposition of seashells when the entire area was covered by the ocean. The caves were created about 800 000 years ago by seepage from the river which was then 15 m above its present height. They feature some spectacular stalagmites, stalactites and helictites.

The first European to explore the caves was local grazier, Keith McEarchern, who discovered a hole in his property in 1936. He used a rope to lower himself 17.5 metres into the caves then built a public entrance, carved some steps in the limestone and began charging for guided tours in 1941.

Today there is an information centre, a landscaped picnic area with all requisite facilities amidst the stringybark forest which surrounds the caves, a small campground with cabins (caravans are permitted), on-site audio-visual displays and expert guides. Only one beautiful stream-passage cave is open to the public. Daily tours of 40 minutes duration are conducted for a fee at 10.00 a.m., 11.00 a.m., 12.00 p.m., 1.30 p.m., 2.30 p.m., 3.30 p.m. and 4.30 p.m., tel: (08) 8738 4171. Advance bookings are required for large groups (maximum of 85 people) and school groups will be admitted at the under 14 rate.

Notes corresponding with numbered posts are available for the River View Nature Walk which leads from the cave entrance to two lookouts over the Glenelg River Gorge. It takes in the 'Death Pit', a hole created by water dissolving away the limestone roof of a cave. The bones of animals which have fallen through the hole include those of the giant kangaroo, the marsupial lion, the giant echidnae and the Tasmanian tiger. The Nature Walk provides access to wildflowers and the plentiful local birdlife.

The caves are 2 km east of the state border and can be reached by a sealed road from Mount Gambier (34 km). From Nelson follow the Nelson-Mount Gambier Rd for a couple of kilometres to the border then take the signposted right onto a good unsealed 12-km road which leads through pine forests to the caves. For those who prefer a leisurely cruise the Nelson Endeavour (tel: 08 8738 4191) and Glenelg River Cruises (tel: 08 8738 4192) offer a 3.5-hour trek to the Princess Margaret Rose Caves. All cruises depart at 1.00 p.m. but days of operation vary seasonally from once or twice a week to an almost daily service. It is therefore best to check in advance.

	Motels
	Dartmoor Motel/Hotel Cnr Lindsay Rd & Wapling Ave Dartmoor Princess Margaret Rose Caves VIC 3304 Telephone: (03) 5528 1240 Rating: **
	Restaurants
	Dartmoor Motel/Hotel Cnr Lindsay Rd & Wapling Ave Dartmoor Princess Margaret Rose Caves VIC 3304 Telephone: (03) 5528 1240