Ngilgi Cave, previously known as Yallingup Cave, is a karst cave to the northeast of Yallingup, in the southwest of Western Australia. 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. The Wardandi believe the caves to be their passage to the afterlife. Edward Dawson was the first European to enter the cave when he went searching for stray horses in 1899. 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.

Naming

It was originally named for the nearby town of Yallingup but renamed in 2000 to acknowledge the cave's part in Australian Aboriginal mythology. Ngilgi (pronounced Neelgee) was a good spirit who triumphed in battle against an evil spirit Wolgine. The story is part of the heritage of the Wardandi people who are the custodians of the caves in the area.

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