Forest Grove: Discover Caves and Art

Forest Grove brings cave experiences and Boranup art together in a varied mix of themes. Lake Cave features active crystal formations above a perfectly reflective underground lake beneath the Boranup karri forest. Mammoth Cave combines forest trails, boardwalks and a self-guided underground cave experience. Calgardup Cave is notable for its length and two cave passages. Boranup Arts & Culture complements these natural themes with Boranup artworks and furniture. This gives you several options for your trip: cave formations, an experience with forest trails and boardwalks, or art and architecture.

Caves with Distinctive Features

Lake Cave offers a particularly striking natural scene: active crystal formations are found above a perfectly reflective underground lake. The crystal formations and reflective water surface create an appealing contrast. The cave also lies beneath the Boranup karri forest, so this place is defined by both the underground space and the landscape above it. If you enjoy noticing forms and their surroundings when experiencing nature, this combination is a reason in its own right to consider including Lake Cave in your plans.

Access to Lake Cave involves negotiating 325 steps; there is no lift. Take this specific detail into account when planning, and check the access conditions before your trip.

Mammoth Cave offers a different emphasis. The experience includes forest trails, boardwalks and a self-guided visit to the cave underground. The description therefore extends beyond the cave itself to include paths through the forest and along boardwalks. Compared with Lake Cave’s clearly defined crystal formations, what makes this cave special is the combination of different parts of the experience. Which of the two caves appeals to you more may therefore depend on whether you are most interested in the crystal formations above the lake or the mix of forest trails, boardwalks and a self-guided cave experience.

Calgardup Cave offers another point of comparison: it is 300 metres long and branches into two cave passages. Its layout is a feature in addition to its overall length. Anyone who considers caves not only for a striking natural scene but also for their spatial form can take this two-part structure into account when making their choice. Together, the three caves show that Forest Grove offers more than just one cave experience: the lake and crystal formations, trails and boardwalks, and length and branching each provide a different emphasis.

Boranup Art and Rammed Earth Architecture

Boranup Arts & Culture offers a cultural counterpoint to the cave themes. The gallery houses Boranup artworks and furniture, and showcases work by local and Australian artists. The collection includes paintings, glass, wood and metal sculptures, jewellery and ceramics. This range extends from paintings through works in different materials and three-dimensional pieces to objects such as jewellery and ceramics. This brings another question into your trip planning: would you like to associate Forest Grove primarily with nature experiences, or does art also deserve a place among your interests?

The construction method is also part of Boranup Arts & Culture’s character. The rammed earth architecture creates an authentic connection with the surrounding landscape. The art collection and the architecture offer two different perspectives on the place: the works represent a range of media and artists’ origins, while the building’s material connects it with the landscape. For travellers who want to consider cultural themes as well as caves, this very combination makes the gallery a distinctive part of the Forest Grove theme.

Choose the Focus of Your Trip

If you are looking for a hotel in Forest Grove, you can start by considering which experiences will shape your trip. Lake Cave combines active crystal formations and a reflective lake with the specific access requirement of 325 steps. Mammoth Cave is known for its combination of forest trails, boardwalks and a self-guided cave experience; Calgardup Cave adds its length and two-branch layout to the comparison. Boranup Arts & Culture adds artworks, furniture and rammed earth architecture.

Discover more destinations: Mount Helena, Beermullah, Yanchep, Cockburn Central, Tom Price, Binningup, Broomehill Village, Kalamunda

For the main travel overview: Western Australia.