The cave state
To protect the cave environment backpacks, selfie sticks, tripods, food and drinks are not allowed in the cave. Pool users should wear appropriate clothing such as swimming costumes, or shorts/t shirts. Sturdy shoes and warm clothing are recommended for cave tours. A parks pass is not required at Hastings Caves, you will require a pass if visiting a National Park. After check-in there is a further 5km drive and then a 200m walk to reach the cave entrance where the tour begins.Ĭave tour fees apply. Please arrive and check-in at the Visitor Centre 45 minutes before the advertised or booked tour time. To protect staff and visitors face masks are now required when visiting Hastings Caves State Reserve. Bookings are not required for the thermal pool.
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At its peak it had a port, a sawmill and homes for the many timber workers living in the area.īookings for guided cave tours are essential and can be taken up to 14 days in advance, please phone the Visitor Centre on 6298 3209 to book. While upgrades have occurred regularly since then, the town of Hastings is shadow of its former self. Internal cave infrastructure – including timber staircases, a walkway and Government-led job creation program developed the access road, thermal pool and Local entrepreneurs began guiding trips into the cave in 1919 and the area was proclaimed a scenic reserve a few years later. There is evidence of early logging techniques on tree stumps along the forest walk to the cave. The wet sclerophyll forest around the cave was being harvested when the entrance was uncovered by a gang of tree fellers in 1916-1917. Hastings Caves State Reserve is within the Tasmanian Wilderness World Heritage Area - a place of profound significance to today's Tasmanian Aboriginal community due to the cultural heritage that is found here. Newdegate Cave was named after Sir Francis Newdegate, the Governor of Tasmania from 1917-1920. Visit our caring for wildlife page for more information on interacting with and protecting our native animals. When it was discovered in Tasmania in the late 19th century, the only records were from fossilised specimens dating back from about 270 million years ago.įor more information on our wildlife please see Tasmania's wildlife. The Tasmanian endemic mountain shrimp ( Anaspides spp.) is commonly encountered in streams and pools of the Hastings cave system. Occasionally, when weather conditions are favourable, they forage for food in the adjacent forest. Cave crickets shelter in the cracks and crevices around the entrance of Newdegate Cave. Species of cave harvestman spiders (Hickmanoxyomma cavatictim) and cave beetles ( Idacarabus cordicollis) are unique to the Hasting area. They are blind but scuttle about the cave feeding on soil microbes. Symphyla ( Hanseniella magna) grow to only 10mm and are often are mistaken for millipedes. Many are so adapted to life underground they have neither eyes nor pigment, and have developed unusually long antennae. More than 40 species have been discovered and new ones are still being found.
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Hastings Cave (Newdegate Cave) is home to a number of strange and fascinating animals. Be sure to keep your eyes peeled for the native wildlife that share this forest, including platypus, quolls, pademelons and birds. Its vast chambers began to form more than 40 million years ago.īack on the surface, you can relax in the swimming pool, which is fed by mineral-rich thermal springs. Experience warm thermal pool water that remains 28 degrees, year-round.Įxplore the Hastings Caves State Reserve further on the two easy walking trails, pack a picnic, or enjoy a barbecue with friends and family in the lovely forest surrounds. Newdegate Cave is the largest dolomite tourist cave in Australia. The spacious dolomite cave system is a labyrinth of chambers, richly decorated and cleverly lit to highlight ancient subterranean formations.
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The mystery of these Tasmanian caves is revealed beneath a dense green forest and ferny glades. The magical underground world of Hastings Caves will open your eyes to what lies beneath the picturesque Tasmanian landscape. For tour times, costs and bookings see the Hastings Cave and Thermal Springs page. Due to COVID-19 restrictions - bookings must be made prior to the intended cave tour.