The tunnel-shaped cave runs horizontally for 139 m into the base of the hill. Over time, sand was blown into the cave, gradually forming horizontal layers of sediment up to the present depth of 4 meters. Different dating methods have shown that the very lowest levels range back to more than 800,000 years ago. Archaeological excavations have shown that all of these layers contain stone artefacts (tools), indicating that people lived in the cave over the entire period. Wonderwerk Cave thus has a very long record of human history, which exceeds that of any other recorded cave.

Other discoveries made here totally transform previous ideas of how early humans lived. There is clear evidence for a "home base" in the cave, with an area of grass bedding where the occupants slept. There is also evidence that they could produce fire, one of mankind's greatest technological triumphs. Food was brought back to the cave to be shared by the family group. The range of animal remains found indicates that the hunters were skilled, rather than mere scavengers. These and other findings suggest that the cultural practices that make us truly human arose very long ago in southern Africa. Wonderwerk Cave is a National Heritage Site. The interesting and colourful exhibition in the Information Centre covers the rich history of the cave, plants and animals of the area, early travellers and much more.