dome and lake; another 30m sump leads off this...Thousands of square metres in the cave are covered in parallel finger-marked geometric lines and patterns, Aboriginal Australian artwork which has been dated as 20,000 years old.

[6] Analysis of finger markings and archaeological deposits showed that Aboriginal people used the cave 22,000 years ago.

[8] Koonalda Cave was declared a prohibited area under the South Australian Aboriginal and Historic Relics Preservation Act 1965 on 30 May 1968.

[12] In December 2022, it was reported that some of the artwork was destroyed by vandals who had illegally gained access to the cave at some time since June, prompting calls from the local Mirning people, who consider the site to be sacred, for the state and federal governments to improve security and legal protection for the cave.

[13][14] In March 2023 the Australian Government pledged $400,000 to improve the security of the cave, including the installation of cameras.