OUR HISTORY

The story of caves house

Initially built in 1903 by the Government of Western Australia, Caves House Hotel has been the resident watering hole of Yallingup townsite for over 100 years. It has stood the test of time and provided accommodation to visitors, locals and tourists for over a century.

Caves House Hotel is famous today for its vibrant atmosphere, delicious food, cold drinks and jam-packed live music schedule. With bustling weekend summer sessions and the famous Caves New Year’s Eve parties, Caves House Hotel has come a long way since its humble beginnings.

Take a journey back through time and delve into the history of our beloved Caves House.

1899 - 1929

THE ORIGINAL CAVES HOUSE

In September 1899, Ngilgi Cave was discovered by Edward Dawson while looking for stray cattle . The government in it’s foresight, opened the cave to the public for tours. With Cave tourism booming, the Government soon recognized the need to cater for visitors to the area with nearby accommodation. In June 1902, tenders were called, and the plans for the original Caves House were accepted at £2,602, with the government funding the build of the original building.

Construction of the original Caves House was completed on the 20th of January 1903 at a total cost of £2,729. It was a two-story timber building with an iron roof. The hotel could accommodate up to 24 guests, including nine single rooms, three double bedrooms, a smoking room, and dressing rooms with toilets and bathrooms.

With the increasing popularity of ‘Caves House’, the Government approved multiple building extensions between 1907 and 1920. Over the years, the timber-framed Homestead and Caretakers Quarters were added, as well as the Yallingup General Store, which still stand today.

1928 - 1929

FIRE AT CAVES HOUSE

In 1928 and 1929, disaster struck, with two separate fires causing varying levels of extensive damage to the original Caves House building which basically took out the western fronting façade of the hotel. The next decade was thwarted by building delays and operation issues, which eventually paved the way for a total demolition and rebuild.

1930 - 1940s

THE REBUILD

On 18 March 1938, the tender of R. Donald & Son of Busselton (Original builders of the 1st Caves House) was accepted at a cost of £20,450, and construction of the new Caves House began. The rebuild spanned 10 months and was officially completed on 31 December 1938.

1950s

SURF COMES TO YALLINGUP

As the stories go, 1950s Yallingup was the humble origins of surfing in Western Australia, as curious longboard riders set up camp in the forests surrounding Yallingup. A factory of consistent waves, word swiftly spread and surfing in the South-West was born. Marking a moment in time for Yallingup, surfing paved the way for tourism and developments of the townsite in the decades to come.

1960'S - 2016

GOVERNMENT TO PRIVATE

In 1960 a 7-year lease was taken up by Mr Bill Copley and his wife.

The Copley’s built a road from Yallingup Beach, a three-rink bowling green, the beer garden, and many other improvements to the general townsite. Sadly, due to financial difficulties, Copley’s leasing of Caves House ended in 1968, and the State Government sold Caves House publicly to Norman Henry Emmott and Horace Leonard Emmott.

Since the original public sale to the Emmott’s in 1968, Caves House Hotel has passed through the hands of four other owners, including Corry Pty Ltd, Yallingup Ridge Pty Ltd, Peter and Helen Cribb, and the current owners – Neil and Elizabeth Jilley (the first local southwest family to own the Hotel and surrounds).

2016 - TODAY

HERITAGE RESTORATION & PRESERVATION

The current owners have renovated and re-opened previously forgotten parts of the building, including The Yallingup Room, The Ngilgi Room and The Meelup Room, and made extensive refurbishments to the entire Hotel, both inside & out.

Sections of the neighboring apartment block are now available to book as the Caves House Apartments, or guest’s can enjoy a historical stay in the oldest building on site at the original Caves House Homestead (formerly the old caretakers quarters).

The restoration and preservation of Caves House Hotel and it’s surrounding grounds has ensured longevity of its legacy as a historical icon of the South West.

Liquor License No: 6010009936
Licensee: Cultural Icon Pty Ltd

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