Jewel Cave to be a real gem of a tourist attraction after redevelopment
Almost five decades after it was first opened to the public, efforts are underway to give the Jewel Cave a major makeover in time for its 50th anniversary.
A stunning new visitors centre, café and cave entrance are part of redevelopment plans set to transform the popular tourism site, situated in the majestic karri forest of the Leeuwin Naturaliste Ridge.
The natural wonder is Western Australia’s largest show cave, featuring several large caverns and attracting about 38,000 visitors a year.
Augusta Margaret River Tourism Association chief executive officer Francine Errico said enhancements were needed to preserve and protect the cave, while improving the experience for visitors.
“Our aim is to move the current facilities off the cave system and allow natural filtration of water back into the cave, in a hope to protect the cave and its threatened ecological communities,” she said.
The planned new building – earmarked for the existing car park – will replace the current visitors centre, which is located above Jewel Cave. It will include a 60-seat café that will open out on to the forest.
An underground tunnel featuring interpretive displays will link the new visitors centre with the cave entrance.
Funding through the South West Regional Grants Scheme (Royalties for Regions) will allow new environmentally-friendly lighting to be installed to better illuminate the cave’s amazing features, including one of the longest straw stalactites found in any tourist cave in the world.
Construction of a new car park is almost complete and work on the new building is expected to begin at the end of the year, with the view to opening in late 2010 – the year the cave celebrates its 50th anniversary.