Hastings Caves and Thermal Springs
Spend an Idyllic Day in Nature
WHAT SPARKS YOUR INTEREST?
The Hastings Cave State Reserve is a splendid day trip from Hobart or a great stop for anyone exploring the south of Tasmania. It’s the perfect setting for a picnic, soaking in the thermal pools, and/or exploring the unique formations of the Newdegate Cave.
Formed tens of millions of years ago, Newdegate Cave is Australia's largest dolomite cave open to tourists. It was discovered in 1917 by timber workers and named after the Governor of Tasmania at the time (1917-1920), Sir Francis Newgate. The caves can be easily explored, with handrails along stairs, spacious openings, well-lit areas, and shining lights of the fascinating stalactites, columns, and other unusual formations.For a relaxing experience, visitors can soak in the warm thermal waters. They can be enjoyed during any season with a year-round temperature of 28 degrees Celsius (82 degrees Fahrenheit). The surrounding forests and reserve provide a dramatically beautiful backdrop and a peaceful atmosphere for a picnic or a walk. The Platypus loop walk from the swimming pool takes about 10 minutes through the Forrest over the springs where platypus can often be seen. There is also a longer thirty minute hot springs walk from the pool which is worth the walk. The warm springs feed a swimming pool at the Hastings Visitor Center, which is available to visitors to swim in. The pool has change rooms and hot showers, free barbeques, picnic tables and picnic shelters with open fires. Image Credit: Tourism Tasmania & Rob Burnett
Getting There/Tour
Both the thermal pool and the trail which leads through the surrounding forests are accessible to wheelchair users. Image Credit: Tourism Tasmania & Richard Bennett