Naracoorte Caves Microbat Maternity Colony
high
November–January
SA
Deep inside the Bat Cave at Naracoorte Caves World Heritage Site, a maternity colony of thousands of southern bent-wing bats (critically endangered) roosts through spring and summer to give birth and raise their young. Each evening at dusk, the colony erupts from a cave entrance in a churning, twisting ribbon of wings — one of the most dramatic wildlife spectacles in regional SA. A purpose-built viewing hide allows visitors to watch the emergence without disturbing the animals. The site is also a world-class fossil deposit — megafaunal bones discovered in adjacent caves include Diprotodon and extinct giant kangaroos. Combine bat viewing with a cave tour for a genuinely extraordinary evening.
Naracoorte Caves National Park, 89 Wonambi Rd, Naracoorte — 11 km north of town via Caves Rd. Sealed road, free car park at the Wonambi Visitor Centre. Bat Tour tickets required (depart 11:30 AM and 3:30 PM). Evening dusk emergence viewed from the Bat Observation Centre adjacent to Bat Cave — check the NP website for summer dusk tour availability as timings vary by season.
What affects timing
The maternity colony of southern bent-wing bats (critically endangered) is present each spring and summer. Peak numbers are in November–January when the colony is at full size and evening roost emergences are most spectacular. The colony size varies year to year based on insect availability.
Do not enter the Bat Cave without a licensed guide — disturbance to a maternity roost can be catastrophic for the colony. Evening emergence viewing is available from a purpose-built hide and requires a ticket. Do not use flash photography.
Limestone Coast
Interactive map coming soon