Drover's Cave W.A.

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Drovers Cave National Park

Drovers Cave National Park is covers 2,681 hectares. It is located six kilometres east of Jurien; two-hundred and fifty-five kilometres north of Perth and two-hundred and forty kilometres south of Geraldton. The park can be described as rough limestone country with numerous caves. All entrances to caves however are locked for public safety and to prevent vandalism. Vegetation consists of Banksia woodland with a thick under story of Parrot Bush, One Sided Bottle Brush and Shrub Banksia. Fauna in the region include the Western Grey Kangaroo, Honey Possums, emus, bustards and various reptiles. There is no camping in the park. Day visits only. Supplies can be bought from Jurien. Accommodation is available at the Jurien Hotel Motel/Caravan Park. The park is considered unsuitable for picnicking. Walking is limited to fire breaks, as vegetation under story is very thick in areas. Spring is the best time to visit for wildflowers. Tick repellant is recommended.

Further information is available from:
Ranger in Charge Nambung National Park PO Box 62, Cervantes WA 6511 Telephone: 08 9652 7043.

Visit CALM's NatureBase website at http://www.calm.wa.gov.au/ for more information.

Thanks Truckster I'll follow it up

It's real easy to find with a "good" track. Take a good torch as the cave goes quite a way back under the limestone.

I might take a run up that way agaion sometime. The 1:100,00 maps show another cave further south but I haven't managed to find it yet.

Drovers cave is easy to find. Unfortunately you'll find that it is locked! The caving association apparently has a key and I heard that you are required to be a member to get hold of it. I once found the door unlocked and it was a nice cave with some good stalactites.

To find the cave you leave Jurien Bay on the Jurien East Road - the road that heads back towards the Brand Highway. When you drive out of town you go up a hill, with a turn off to the Lions lookout on your left. At the top of the hill is a bitumen road to the right that goes to the new "estates" and the tip!!

Keep heading out of town and keep a lookout to the left. There is one track that goes to a sand mine and then a bit further is another track that heads off at an angle of what would be 10 o'clock on a clock face. Down this track there was a sign that said Drovers Cave National Park. (It may have been burnt in fires in recent years - not sure about that!) Take this track. It is quite sandy, but I've seen all manner of 4WD's down here. I cant recall the exact distance, but keep a lookout on your right as you drive along. You'll see some limestone outcrops. The cave is in one of these and is literally right next to the track. The door will probably be locked.

If you stay on the track and keep heading north, you'll eventually come to a T junction. If you turn left and a little bit further on turn right and follow this track to its end you come across another cave called Moorba Cave. This one is open and you will need a torch to go in. It doesnt go back very far, but is a worthwhile explore anyway.

Keep a lookout for the wild bees. They do sting and are attracted to dark colours.

These caves and a few others are marked on the Hill River 1:100 000 topographical map.

I lived in Jurien for 5 years and explored this area quite a bit. There are other caves around the place, but many are on private property.

I hope this is helpful.

Cheers

Wayne

As above Drovers Cave is locked. You can apply for a key through CALM Jurien Bay but if you are nat a member of a caving club (with proof) you will not get access. Pity as it was not that long ago it was open to all. rgds