Cape Naturaliste and Ngilgi Cave

Drive Mechanism of the Cape Naturaliste Lighthouse

From Dunsborough we took an afternoon drive out to Cape Naturaliste and the Maritime Museum. We took the lighthouse tour and were fortunate to have an experienced guide with the three of us on the tour. Easier than most lighthouses to climb, the Cape Naturaliste Lighthouse is one of the most popular attractions in the Geographe Bay and Margaret River region.

View North from the Lighthhouse

Our tour guide provided a fascinating insight into the functions of the working lighthouse and the history of the area. He also told us how the lighthouse has changed with the times and the days when it was manned around the clock by 3 keepers on shift. It was a tough life in those days. The lighthouse began operation in 1904 and has been automated for the past 33 years. Except for the driving mechanism, it's still much the same as it was when it was built.

Light and Glass Lens

The light is now electric with a 120V 1000 W tungsten halogen globe -  the original light was fueled by kerosene. The lens is a Fresnel lens and is the original one fitted. These are no longer made so it would have to be replaced if it suffered damage. It's a relatively short lighthouse as it sits on a high headland. .

Cape Naturaliste Lighthouse

Wild White Lilies

The original light and turntable which still floats on a bath of mercury, was turned by a clockwork mechanism, which needed rewinding every 50 - 60 minutes at night. The light can be seen 46 Km away to sea. Prior to the building of the lighthouse, some 12 ships had become wrecked among the strong currents and dangerous reefs surrounding the sharp point. Located on a 100 metre cliff, the 19 metre high tower has also become a prime whale watching site.

We also took a trip to the Caves area  and visited the Ngilil Cave which is also near Dunsborough. The cave lies beneath the limestone ridge which forms Cape Naturaliste, at Yallingup. It was discovered in 1899, and formerly known as Yallingup Cave. It is one of Geographe Bay's most renowned tourist attractions.We took a guided tour of the cave and spent about an hour and a half down there. The temperature is a constant 20 degrees all year round so it's quite comfortable.  
Ngilgi Cave is associated with a rich Aboriginal legend describing a battle between a good and an evil spirit. This was described by our guide but we didn't really take much notice.
We did see the stunning stalactite, stalagmite, helicitite and shawl formations and took several photos of them. Some of the photos are shown below.

Ngilgi Cave

Ngilgi Cave

Ngilgi Cave

Ngilgi Cave

Ngilgi Cave

Ngilgi Cave

Ngilgi Cave

It was certainly fascinating walking through the cave and we enjoyed it very much. 
There are a few other caves in the area but not as impressive as Ngilgi Cave. If you had more time you might visit these as they are different from Ngilgi.
From Dunsborough, we drove the short distance of 70Km down to the township of Margaret River.