Newdegate Cave
The richly decorated Newdegate Cave is one of the few caves in Australia formed from dolomite. The vast chambers of the cave began to form more than 40 million years ago. Guided tours by qualified Parks and Wildlife staff are available throughout the day. (See our tour times and prices for further details).
Life in the Cave
Newdegate Cave, like most of Tasmania's caves, is home to a number of strange and fascinating animals. Over forty species have been discovered within the cave, including several species which are as yet undescribed. Many have become so adapted to life underground that they can no longer live on the surface. They show loss of pigment and eyes, and development of unusually long antennae. Since they are restricted to caves, they are unable to move from area to area and so each region often has its own cave-dwelling species, which occur nowhere else.
In the Hastings Caves State Reserve, a mountain shrimp (Anaspides spp.) is common in Mystery Creek.
Looking after caves
Cave reserves are unique and fragile areas. To protect cave reserves, please:
- do not touch the cave formations or smoke underground. The formations are very fragile and can be discoloured by fingerprints and smoke,
- do not take food into the caves,
- feel free to take photos, but the use of tripods is not permitted in tourist caves,
- take any rubbish out with you.
Thermal Springs Pool
Hastings Pool is fed by pure spring water which maintains a constant temperature of 28 degrees Celcius year round.