Best Cave Experiences in Tasmania; Things to do in Australia

Explore the enchanting island state of Australia on a whole new level! From the dark depths of underground rivers to the glistening stalactites hanging delicately from the ceiling, Tasmania’s caves promise an unforgettable display of the natural ecosystems hidden beneath the surface. 

1. Marakoopa Caves, Mole Creek Karst National Park

Located approximately 40 minutes west of Deloraine, these stunning natural underground chambers lay waiting to be admired. The Marakoopa Cave is one of three main attractions in this area, protected and preserved as a World Heritage Listed site. Filled with sparkling crystals, reflective pools, flowing underground rivers, and intricate stalactites and stalagmites, these caves will take your breath away at every turn. 

Pricing and Tours: 

Entry to the cave is via Tour only at $19 per Adult. (Discounts for children, concession and family groups are also available; check out the Tasmania Parks and Wildlife Services Website for a full price list). The tour lasts about 45 minutes and is available everyday, except Christmas Day), but the tours can fill up so booking in advance is recommended. The path through the cave is well lit and clear, including stairs and railings, and should be easy enough for all ages and fitness levels. 

To book a tour; call (03) 6363 5182 or purchase tickets from the Central Office about 600 meters before the cave entrance. 

Parking and Facilities: 

Visitors to the Mole Creek Karst National Park DO NOT require a parks pass to tour the caves, but a pass will be required to explore other areas of the park. There is an upper and lower carpark available for visitors, however, the upper carpark is along a narrow road with limited turning space (not ideal for caravans or large vehicles). Picnic tables, public toilets and clean drinking water are also available at the site. 

Know Before You Go: 

• The temperature inside the cave is consistently a brisk 9 Degrees Celsius, so it’s a good idea to bring a jacket 
• Due to the natural moisture within the cave, the paths can often be damp or slippery. Sneakers are recommended for a safe walk. 
• The pathway through the caves includes stairs and therefore is not wheelchair accessible
• Tripods, food and drinks are not permitted inside the cave at any time 

2. Hastings Cave and Thermal Springs; Hastings Caves State Reserve

Hiding amongst lush green forests, just under 2 hours drive from Hobart’s City Center, this natural wonder is so much more than just a rocky tunnel. Despite being considered the largest dolomite tourist cave in Australia, with a labrinth of underground marvels, it is not the only attraction in Hastings. The area is also known for it’s natural, mineral-rich, thermal springs, bubbling to the earth’s surface. But, to truly experience the beauty of this World Heritage Listed State Reserve, you must also venture through the forest on the easy walking trails at the Caves site.

Pricing and Tours: 

You may only enter the cave as part of a tour for which will cost about $24 per adult (discounts for children, concession and family deals are also available). However, bookings are only required for commercial groups or groups of more then 12 people, therefore, in most cases a booking is not required and you can simply register for the next tour at the Hastings Visitor Centre. Note that you must register at least 45 minutes before a scheduled tour time. You will need this time to complete the 5km drive to the Caves Car Park and then 200m walk to the Entrance of the cave, where the tour will begin at the scheduled time.

The ticket for the cave tour also includes complimentary access to the Thermal Pool, the 10 minute Platypus Boardwalk and the 20 minute Hot Springs Forest Walk. However, if you are only interested in indulging in the Thermal Pool and short walks, without the caves, the ticket is just $5 (less for children and concession), so you can truly personalise your experience. 

Parking and Facilities:

Visitors to the Hastings Cave State Reserve DO NOT require a national parks pass. Separate parking is available for the Visitor’s centre and the Cave/Thermal Pool with a 5km drive between them. Picnic facilities and barbeques are also available at the site. 

Know before you go: 

• Backpacks, selfie sticks, tripods and any form of food or drink are not permitted in the caves at any time
• Dogs are not permitted in the caves or the surrounding nature reserve 
• The Platypus Boardwalk is wheelchair accessible, but all other walking tracks and the cave tour are not. 
• The path in the caves contains low lighting and may be wet and slippery
• The thermal pool is naturally heated to 28 degrees Celsius, all year round.

3. Mystery Creek Cave

Not for the faint hearted but definitely worth the journey! This is a cave experience unlike any other and to this day is my most talked about experience in Tasmania as well as my favorite cave experience that I’ve ever had. But what sets it apart from the rest? Mystery Creek is not a commercialised cave. This means there is no man-made paths through the cave, no artificial lighting, no unnatural metal handrails and no disruption to the natural ecosystem. 

As a result, you control the path you choose to take, with an added danger element of unstable rocks, slippery surfaces and deep rivers. It also means that once you are deep enough into the cave (past where the natural light can reach) you can actually experience true and utter darkness. That feeling where you aren’t quite sure if your eyes are open or closed. The silence of the cave like a blanket, hearing nothing more than your own breathing, the occasional flap of a bat wing, or the distant sound of trickling water. I did say that it is not for the faint hearted, but if all of that still has you interested, you are in for the experience of a lifetime. 

No Tours, No Worries!

In caves that have tours and regular public access, artificial light is kept to a minimum to preserve the natural ecosystem of the cave to not affect the growth of crystals, the composition of the rock and most importantly, allow glowworms to use their natural bioluminescence to feed. Caves that are known for having high numbers of glowworms, sometimes even turn their lights off for a portion of the tour to truly put them on display. But once the lights go back on, their natural light will fade since it is less needed to attract food. So what do you think happens when a cave has had no artificial light at all…? 

The answer is unexplainable. More glowworms than any and every cave you will have ever seen in your life! They line the ceiling, the walls and even the floor! There is so many, and so bright that you can actually see the shape and contour of the surrounding rock, and you can even see where the rivers flow because those are the only areas of total darkness. It feels like you’ve stepped into a different reality.

Location and Parking:

Since this is not a commercialised cave, there is no official parking area or facilities. The Cave is located at the end of a 2km wide, flat walking track that follows an abandoned railway track from the 1800’s Tasmanian mining boom. Classified as a grade 2 hiking trail, the 4km return track is a literal journey through history as you pass rusting mining tools and carriages that are being reclaimed by the forest. You can navigate to the start of the track by searching for ‘Mystery Creek Cave Track’ on google maps, but you will find very little signage at the entrance to the trail. Generally located at the southern edge of the island, it will take a few hours to drive there from almost any major City.

IMPORTANT NOTICE; Know Before You Go

The beauty and preservation of this track and cave is highly reliant on our ability to not disrupt the natural ecosystem of the area. Like in all caves, avoid using flashlights or any bright light sources, avoid touching the rocks and crystals, and do not contaminate the area with introduced food, drink, animals or plants. But most importantly, know your limits! At the entrance of the cave there is a generalized map showing the different depths of the cave, some paths involve deep water or narrow spaces, so it’s a good idea to make a plan before you enter. Additionally, surfaces are likely to be unstable or slippery so take caution. If visitors begin to often need rescuing or extraction, this amazing natural wonder is likely to be closed off from the public or worse; turned into just another tourist attraction!

This is the best cave experience in Australia, maybe even the world and its COMPLETELY FREE… let’s keep it that way!

The images that I have captured are just to give you an idea of what to expect, but realistically this one needs to be experienced, heard and seen from within in order to truly understand it’s natural beauty.

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