Lighthouse at Cape Leeuwin and Karri Forests

11th September 2014

Another night in the NP campground, then this morning we toured our 3rd cave, called Jewel.
Remains of 5 individual thylacines [Tasmanian Tigers] have been found in this cave along with remains of possums and other animals which had fallen in via a sink hole. Thylacines became extinct in mainland Australia about 3,000 years ago, this is thought to be a direct result of the arrival of the dingo which fills the same ecological niche. They survived in Tasmania into the 20th century as there has never been dingos there. However, with the arrival of Europeans their fate was sealed and they were shot mercilessly.  The last one died in captivity in 1936 due to neglect.  A very sad tale.

Unusual stalactite formations in Jewel cave

From the cave we drove through beautiful Karri forest to Cape Leeuwin, where the Indian Ocean meets the Southern Ocean.

Southern Ocean meets Indian Ocean

There are often fur seals and whales to be seen here, but not today.

Cape Leeuwin lighthouse 1895

We had a look around the lighthouse precinct, what a hard life those lighthouse keepers and their families had.  The winds are very strong and there would be plenty of rain and sea spray too.


We drove back through the Karri forests which are such a majestic sight even though these ones are mostly regrowth trees.  The 600 year old trees, which grew up to 90 metres in height were felled in the last 150 years or so,  Karri grows nowhere else except in this small corner of WA.

Karri forest in Leeuwin- Naturaliste NP