Mole Creek Karst National Park

Deep in Tasmania's central north, Mole Creek Karst National Park is a subterranean wonderland of limestone caves, underground rivers, and ancient formations. This is one of Australia's most accessible wild cave systems, where you can step from lush temperate rainforest into a silent world of stalactites, stalagmites, and delicate shawl formations. The park protects over 300 known caves, with two — Marakoopa and King Solomons — open for guided tours. Above ground, ferny gullies and eucalypt forest offer peaceful walks. For travellers weaving through Tasmania, this is a standout detour that reveals the island's hidden geology.

Highlights & What to See

• Marakoopa Cave – A vast cavern lit by glow-worms, with an underground stream and impressive calcite formations. The 'Great Cathedral' chamber is breathtaking.
• King Solomons Cave – A drier, more decorated cave with intricate stalactite 'shawls' and a fascinating history as a tourist attraction since the 1900s.
• Mole Creek Karst National Park walks – Short rainforest trails like the Alum Cliffs Lookout Walk offer views over the Mersey Valley and a chance to spot platypus in the river.
• Glow-worm tours – Marakoopa's evening tours let you see thousands of glow-worms twinkling in the dark, a magical experience for all ages.
• Wildlife spotting – The park is home to Tasmanian devils, wombats, and pademelons; keep an eye out near dusk.

Suggested Time to Spend

Most visitors spend half a day here — enough time for one cave tour (about 1 hour) plus a short walk. To do both Marakoopa and King Solomons, plus a longer walk like the Alum Cliffs loop, allocate a full day. The caves are cool (around 9°C year-round), so bring a jacket. Tours run several times daily in peak season; book ahead in summer. The park is compact, so you can easily combine it with other attractions in the region.

Nearby Areas Worth Combining

• Liffey Falls – A stunning multi-tiered waterfall in a cool temperate rainforest, about 30 minutes south.
• Devils @ Cradle – A wildlife sanctuary near Cradle Mountain where you can see Tasmanian devils up close (30 minutes west).
• Sheffield – The 'town of murals', with colourful street art and a quirky museum, just 20 minutes north.
• Cradle Mountain-Lake St Clair National Park – Iconic alpine wilderness with world-class bushwalking, about an hour west.
• Launceston – Tasmania's second city, with excellent food, Cataract Gorge, and the Tamar Valley wine region (45 minutes east).

Please check official sources for current details.