Ngilgi Cave

Ngilgi Cave, previously known as Yallingup Cave, is a karst cave to the northeast of Yallingup, in the southwest of Western Australia.

Ngilgi Cave
Inside Ngilgi Cave
LocationYallingup, Western Australia
Coordinates33°38′32″S 115°02′03″E
Depth39 m (128 ft)[1]
Length730 m (2,400 ft)[1]
Discovery10 October 1899[2] (European)
GeologyKarst cave
AccessDaily tours, closed 25 December
Registry6YA-1[1]

In many sections of the cave a red layer of soil can be seen; this is called paleosol.

Discovery

The local Wardandi people have long known of the existence of the Ngilgi cave.[3] The Wardandi believe the caves to be their passage to the after life.[4]

Edward Dawson was the first European to enter the cave when he went searching for stray horses in 1899.[2] He acted as a guide to the cave from December 1900 to November 1937.

It was frequently promoted and was highlighted in early twentieth century tourism promotion materials.[5][6][7][8]

Naming

It was originally named for the nearby town of Yallingup but later renamed to acknowledge the cave's part in Australian Aboriginal mythology. Ngilgi (pronounced Neelgee)[9] was a good spirit who triumphed in battle against an evil spirit Wolgine.[2]

The story is part of the heritage of the Wardandi people who are the custodians of the caves in the area.[4]

See also
  • Entrance to Ngilgi Cave
  • Plaque commemorating the discovery
  • "Two Tonne Stalactite"
  • Rock formation

Notes
  1. "Australian Karst Index Database". Australian Speleological Federation. 2007. Retrieved 8 September 2018.
  2. Jochen Duckeck (2014). "Ngilgi Cave". Show Caves of the World. Retrieved 8 September 2018.
  3. Marisa Quinn-Haisu (18 November 2017). "Ngilgi Cave, Yallingup". Weekend Notes. Retrieved 11 March 2020.
  4. Hall, Susan (Summer 2007). Harding, Alison (ed.). "Wardan Aboriginal Centre" (PDF). Transwa In-service magazine. West Perth: Countrywide Publications. pp. 4–5. Archived from the original (PDF) on 29 August 2007. Retrieved 12 March 2020.
  5. The Caves of Western Australia. Perth: A.E. Forsaith. 1905. Retrieved 12 March 2020.
  6. The caves of Western Australia, A.E. Forsaith, 1910, retrieved 7 September 2018
  7. "BEAUTIFUL FOLDED SHAWLS IN THE YALINGUP CAVE, WESTERN AUSTRALIA". Sunday Times (Perth) (1287). Western Australia. 13 August 1922. p. 9. Retrieved 7 September 2018 – via National Library of Australia.
  8. "The WONDERLAND of the WEST". Sunday Times (Perth) (780). Western Australia. 15 December 1912. p. 3 (First Section). Retrieved 7 September 2018 – via National Library of Australia.
  9. "A dry day in wine country". The Sydney Morning Herald. Fairfax Media. 12 February 2005. Retrieved 8 September 2018.


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