Photo: Gary Houston / CC0
Mole Creek is a small town in Tasmania's central north, best known as the gateway to the Mole Creek Karst National Park, a wonderland of caves and karst formations. Surrounded by fertile farmland and lush forests, it offers a quiet escape into nature, with a handful of excellent local produce stops and walking trails.
Highlights & What to See
- Marakoopa Cave – A dazzling show cave with glowworms, underground streams, and impressive limestone formations. The guided tour is a must.
- King Solomons Cave – A smaller but equally beautiful cave, with delicate shawl formations and a more intimate experience.
- Mole Creek Karst National Park – Explore the surface trails that wind through temperate rainforest and over karst landscapes, spotting wildlife like platypus at dusk.
- Ashgrove Farm – A family-run dairy just outside town, famous for its award-winning cheeses and ice cream. Stop by the farm gate for samples.
- Great Western Tiers – The dramatic escarpment that forms the backdrop to Mole Creek, offering superb bushwalking and panoramic views.
Suggested Time to Spend
Most visitors spend a full day exploring the caves and surrounding walks. If you plan to do both Marakoopa and King Solomons caves, allow at least 4–5 hours including travel between the two. Overnight stays are popular for those wanting to soak up the rural atmosphere and take an evening walk to spot glowworms or platypus.
Nearby Areas Worth Combining
- Liffey Falls – A stunning waterfall in a cool temperate rainforest, about 30 minutes' drive south. A short walk leads to the falls.
- Deloraine – A historic town on the Meander River, known for its craft shops and the Great Western Tiers Visitor Centre.
- Launceston – Tasmania's second city, with vibrant food and café scenes, Cataract Gorge, and the Tamar Valley wine region, about an hour's drive east.
- Cradle Mountain-Lake St Clair National Park – A world-heritage wilderness area with iconic hikes, about 1.5 hours west via the scenic Cradle Mountain Road.
Please check official sources for current details.
Note: opening hours, prices and booking requirements change often — please check official sources for current details.
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Image credits
- Cataract Gorge — Peripitus / CC BY-SA 3.0
- Deloraine — Gary Houston / CC0
- Tamar Valley Wine Region — PBVmedia / CC BY 2.0
- Cradle Mountain-Lake St Clair National Park — Bjørn Christian Tørrissen / CC BY-SA 3.0
- Launceston — File:Launie (cropped).JPG : User: (WT-shared) Plug at wts wikivoyage derivative work: Georgfotoart / Public domain