Lake Cave: Guided Tour with Sunken Forest Descent

Summary

Descend to lake cave’s mirrored world and see rare crystal formations up close

You’ll descend through a sunken karri forest into Lake Cave with a local guide, where crystal formations drip into a perfectly mirrored underground lake. Experience rare sights like the suspended table formation and pause in silence as lights reveal hidden details around you. Afterward, take in treetop views from the deck above — it leaves you feeling both tiny and lucky.

What’s the experience like?

“You’ll want to hold the railing here,” our guide said, grinning as we started down those steep wooden stairs through what looked like a forest swallowed by time. The air changed — cooler, damp, and that earthy smell you only get under old trees after rain. I was still catching my breath when we reached the bottom and saw the cave mouth yawning open. There was this hush, except for a few birds somewhere above and the sound of our shoes on wet stone.

Inside Lake Cave it felt like stepping into another dimension — everything doubled by the lake’s glassy surface, even us. Our guide flicked on a torch and pointed out these impossibly thin crystal straws hanging from the ceiling, each with a droplet at its tip. “That’s last year’s rain,” she said. It’s wild to think water can hang around that long, just waiting to fall. She told us about the ‘suspended table’ — honestly, it looks like some kind of floating spaceship hovering above its own reflection. I tried to take a photo but nothing really captures how strange and delicate it is down there.

We sat quietly for a bit while she played with the lights so different parts of the cave glowed or faded into shadow. You could hear water dripping — not constant, just enough to remind you how slowly everything changes here. At one point someone whispered that it felt like being inside a giant’s jewelry box (I know what they meant). The whole place is alive with tiny movements you’d never notice unless you stopped long enough.

Back up top I leaned against the timber railing on the Lake Cave Deck, legs still shaky from all those stairs. Through these glass portholes in the deck you can peek right back down into the cavern — it’s oddly comforting seeing sunlight again after all that darkness below. There’s an interpretive centre too if you want more context or just need an excuse to linger before heading off. Sometimes I still think about how quiet it was down there, and how small I felt in such an old place.

Step-by-step itinerary

Day 1 — Guided tour of Lake Cave and deck

• Descend staircase into Lake Cave
• Observe crystal straws and stalactites
• Listen to guide's explanations
• Sit at cave back to view formations
• Return above ground
• Admire views from Lake Cave Deck
• Visit interpretative centre onsite

Top questions

How long is the Lake Cave guided tour?

The tour lasts approximately one hour.

Is there a permanent lake inside Lake Cave?

Yes, Lake Cave is the only cave on Leeuwin-Naturaliste Ridge with a permanent lake.

What will I see during the day trip to Lake Cave?

You’ll see crystal straws, stalactites reflected in water, active dripping formations, and the unique suspended table formation.

Is there an interpretive centre at Lake Cave?

Yes, there is an onsite interpretive centre about cave formation and history.

Do I need to be physically fit for this tour?

A moderate level of physical fitness is recommended due to stairs and uneven ground.

Are service animals allowed on this tour?

Yes, service animals are allowed.

Does this include entry fees or just guiding?

The price includes your fully-guided one-hour tour of Lake Cave.

What’s included

Your visit includes a fully-guided one-hour tour of Lake Cave led by a knowledgeable local guide; entry covers your descent through the sunken karri forest sinkhole into the cave itself and time at both the treetop viewing deck and interpretive centre before or after your underground experience.