Koonalda Cave is of outstanding heritage value to the nation for the role it has played in transforming our contemporary understanding of the extraordinary age of Aboriginal art, archaeology and occupation in Australia. The site is of great importance for its role in the history of Aboriginal occupation and of particular historical and cultural significance for the Mirning people. The cave contains exceptionally well preserved finger markings made in the soft limestone by Aboriginal people who lived during the last ice age, 22 000 year ago.
The name Nullarbor derives from “no trees”, but the plain is covered with bluebush and saltbush plants, hardy shrubs that are drought-resistant and salt-tolerant. A 1984 biological Survey of the Nullarbor identified Australia’s largest populations of southern hairy-nosed wombats.
You can observe the nearby cave. You cannot enter unless you have permision.
Camping is availabe 7km south at Koonalda Homestead camping area. The old homestead and outbuildings, built mainly from sleepers from the Trans Australian Railway, are unique and interesting. This homestead used to service traffic crossing the Nullarbor before the sealed Eyre Hwy was put in 15 km to the south in the 1970s.