20 THINGS
TO DISCOVER
4. Bat Teleview Centre and/or Bat Cave
AT NARACOORTE
CAVES NATIONAL PARK
Naracoorte Caves National Park is a
unique part of the world. Once roamed by
megafauna it is now characterised by ancient
caves, fossils, wildlife, walking trails, and
some amazing things to discover. It is one
of nineteen World Heritage Sites and only
one of two listed fossil sites in Australia!
It is home to wombats, echidnas, possums,
kangaroos and of real significance is the
critically endangered Southern Bentwing Bat.
ND
1. World Heritage Walk and Hike
This nature walk will take you through a Stringybark Forest, which was
burnt in 2015. Throughout the year you will see wombat, kangaroo
and possum scats as well as echidna diggings. The walk begins at the
rear of the Fossil Centre and extends into the Hike which takes you to
Stoney Point (2.2km one way) but you can turn back at any time. On
your walk see how many signs of wildlife you can discover?
Park maps are available at the Caves Café and
Wonambi Fossil Centre. For further information
on tours and others things to see visit
www.naracoortecaves.sa.gov.au
The Bat Cave in is one of only two known breeding places for the
Southern Bentwing Bat. These bats have been breeding, feeding and
hibernating here for thousands of years. A tour will take you through
the Bat Teleview Centre where you can watch the bats on an infrared
camera (if you’re lucky you may see a rare albino one!). From there
you will venture into the majestic Blanche Cave ($25 Adult, $15 Child).
7. Superb Blue Fairywren
JT
SB
One of the most brightly coloured birds. Males are bright blue and
black. Females are brown with red above their eye. They weave small
dome-shaped nests. Can you see how many males and females are in
a group? They can be seen around the Caves Café or on the lawn and
in surrounding shrubs.
5. Wet Cave
2. Wonambi Fossil Centre
JT
JT
The Wet Cave is for all ages and is the only cave you can visit without
a guide. It is dark and mysterious with strange and wonderful rock
formations. The caves have their own lighting so it is easy to navigate.
As you walk keep an eye out on the cave walls as you might see a bat
or two. ($9 Adult, $5.50 Child)
8. Western Grey Kangaroo
The Wonambi Fossil Centre is for all ages and has plenty of displays
about local flora, fauna and natural history. It contains an eerie cave
with life-size examples of megafauna who make the strangest of
sounds. How many animals can you spot in the cave? ($13 Adult and
$8 for Child)
JT
These Kangaroos can be seen on the many walking trails around the
Park. They may have Joeys in their pouch or staying close to their
mum. Watch them from a distance. If you look closely you may be able
to see a Joey.
AGREEMENT
When playing in nature I agree to:
1
Have fun
2
Get dirty
3
Learn something
4
Explore new places
5
Discover new things
6
Be kind to the plants and animals
7
Leave nothing but footprints
8
Come back to play again!
SB
3. Wirreanda Camp Ground
JT
The camp grounds are nestled amongst beautiful scrub with 13
powered sites, a tennis court, plenty of areas to pitch a tent with
barbecue, toilet and shower facilities. It also has the Wirreanda
Bunkhouses ideal for groups up to 49 people (contact the fossil centre
for more info)
6. Southern Bentwing Bat
One of four critically endangered mammals in Australia, these tiny bats
rely on Naracoorte Caves to breed between October and January.
Their babies are called pups. They hibernate in huddles on cave
ceilings in the winter months. In summer at dusk, you can watch the
bats’ spectacular flight from the Bat Cave as they head out to feed on
insects. See how many bats can you can spot hibernating or in flight.
9. Common Wombat
PT
Weighing over 30 kilograms, wombats may look slow but can run up
to 40km an hour. They are nocturnal and have large burrow systems
and live with other wombats. When you are walking keep an eye
out for any large mounds with multiple entrances – but keep your
distance, as we don’t want to disturb them.
13. Dryland Tea Tree
JT
This tree has creamy bottlebrush-like flowers that emerge in spring.
They attract birds and insects. The flowers develop into woody seed
capsules that stay on the tree for many years. If you look closely at
their branches/stems how many seed capsules can you see?
10. Brush-tailed Possum
JT
19. Kangaroo Scats
Kangaroo scats are oval-shaped measuring up to 2 cm. They are shiny
when fresh and fade as they get older. Based on what you find do you
think Kangaroos are near by?
JG
A nocturnal creature with a bushy tail and pointy ears. Like all
marsupials they carry their babies (joeys) in a pouch, measuring 1.5cm
when they are born! They make dens in tree hollows taking over 100
years to develop! But there aren’t many old trees left so they find their
way into peoples rooves. If you have a torch you may see some in the
canopies at night.
16. Sheoak Cones
JT
Sheoak cones can be found on the ground once they have dropped
from a Sheaok tree. They are small, round and are very rough to touch.
They are an important food source for both the Yellow-tailed and Redtailed Black Cockatoos. How many Sheoak cones can you find?
14. Golden Wattle
JT
Our national floral emblem. In winter the yellow ball-like flowers can be
seen and smelt throughout the Park. You may also notice shiny sap/
gum coming from the trunk. This was eaten by local Aboriginal people
and mixed with water and nectar from flowers to make sweet drinks.
11. Short-beaked Echidna
JT
20. Wombat Scats
JG
17. Ant Holes/Nests
Echidnas don’t have teeth. They use their long tongue to eat ants,
termites, grubs, and worms. They are one of only two mammals in the
world to lay eggs (the other one is the platypus). If you see one be
very quiet and let them continue on their way. See how many Echidna
diggings can you find?
JT
Ants are very social creatures that live in colonies. Throughout the
Park you will see ant holes/nests. If you watch the ants carefully, how
big are the items they’re carrying? They have been known to carry
things 50 times their own body weight! When walking around a nest
be careful as some ants can bite or sting if disturbed.
Wombat scats are squarish measuring up to 2cm. They can be found
along the World Heritage Walk. You may even see the odd Wombat
burrow if you look out into the trees.
Thanks to all the passionate staff at the Naracoorte Caves National Park
and the Friends of Naracoorte Caves, NRM Education Natural Resources
Management SE for their contribution to this poster. This Poster is part of the
Park of the Month initiative driven by Nature Play SA and supported by the
Department for Environment Water and Natural Resources. Photography:
Jason Tyndall (JT), Natasha Dawson (ND), Peter Tucker (PT), Steve Bourne (SB),
Jeremy Gramp (JG).
natureplaysa.org.au
12. Sundew
JT
Sundews are small green plants with white flowers that grow flat on
the ground. When insects land on their sticky leaves they get stuck
and are slowly absorbed as food! Can you see any tiny insects on their
leaves? You can see them in winter/spring along the Heritage Walk.
15. Stringy Bark Trees
JT
Stringy Bark trees can be found growing all through the Park. They
can take over 100 years to develop tree hollows important for shelter
and breeding for possums, bats, rosellas, and cockatoos. The best
place to see these trees is on the Heritage Walk. Feel their bark –
does it feel stringy?
P R O U D LY S U P P O R T E D B Y
18. Echidna Diggings
JT
Echidna diggings are sure signs that Echidnas have been active and
are close by. If you look closely at the base of the diggings you may
see a small point where the nose of the Echidna has been digging.