World · East Asia & Pacific · 18 hrs ago
Princess Margaret Rose Cave reopening delayed until late 2027
Public tours at Princess Margaret Rose Cave have been closed since 2021, when its operators retired amid COVID-era travel restrictions.
The cave is in Victoria, about two kilometres east of the South Australian border, and had attracted visitors since the 1940s.
The site has fallen into disrepair, with damage and vandalism reported at the visitor centre and nearby facilities.
Victoria has earmarked $2.135 million for upgrades, including new toilets and work on wastewater systems and the visitor area.
Parks Victoria says cave lighting, handrails, steps and electrical systems have already been upgraded.
The reopening is now expected in late 2027, after contractor availability affected the construction schedule.
Local tourism operators say the long closure is hurting businesses, and residents hope the cave will again draw visitors.
The reopening of Princess Margaret Rose Cave is now expected in late 2027.
The site closed to public tours in 2021 after its operators retired amid COVID-era travel restrictions.
Parks Victoria said contractor availability constraints affected the project schedule.
Work completed includes new cave lighting, handrails, improved steps and electrical upgrades.
The Victorian government has earmarked $2,135,000 for further work at the site, including new toilets and upgrades to wastewater infrastructure and the visitor area.
- Who
- Parks Victoria is overseeing the work. Local tourism operators and residents have raised concerns about the closure and the site’s condition.
- What
- The cave’s reopening has been delayed until late 2027.
- When
- Public tours stopped in 2021. The reopening is now expected in late 2027.
- Where
- Princess Margaret Rose Cave, 2 kilometres east of the South Australian border.
- Why
- Parks Victoria said contractor availability constraints affected scheduling, resulting in a revised construction timeframe.
This story does not have two clearly opposing sides.
Public tours of the cave began.
Tours stopped after the operators retired amid COVID-era travel restrictions.
A metal sign near the car park listed completion as December 2026.
Parks Victoria’s updated project information said the site was expected to reopen in late 2027.
- Reopening estimate
- Late 2027
- Closure
- Public tours stopped in 2021
- Location
- 2 kilometres east of the South Australian border
- Project funding
- $2,135,000 earmarked by the Victorian taxpayer
- Completed work
- Cave lighting, handrails, improved steps and electrical upgrades
What people are saying
We know how important the caves are to local tourism, and we’re getting on with the work to reopen them
If it keeps going the way it's going … it'll just be vandalised to the point where they'll never re-open it
It keeps getting pushed back — another 12 months, another 12 months
It's just been left to fall into disrepair and neglect