BrisWombatJul 26, 2025
Hastings/Newdegate #Cave 1/x
On Tuesday (slipping behind on this trip report, sorry!) we went to the far south of #lutruwita, to the Hastings Caves National Park where the Newdegate Cave is located in stunning old growth rainforest.
The forest was partially logged in the early 1900s, when the cave was discovered. The cave and the surrounds, including thermal springs nearby delivering 28°c water year round to the creek, was soon protected. The massive trees, easily over 50m high, rise all around as you drive in from the visitors centre.
The path to the cave is so distracting, especially if you like rainforests at the foothills of mountains that get dustings of snow in winter storms. The bases of the massive trees felled over a hundred years ago are still there. The moss, oh the moss was everywhere. Enough to satiate the most hungry member of #Mosstodon - much more of those pics later in the thread. More info in the alt texts.
Show threadBrisWombatJul 26, 2025
2/x the path to the cave entrance is gradually uphill, with steps to the waiting undercover platform. Information panels provide information about the cave, its geological history, life found in the cave, safety considerations & warnings, and the like. The cave averages 9°c with warm clothing and suitable footwear required.
Our guide gave us the information on what to expect, the cave’s modern history, safety messages and added humour to engage us. We had about 12 people in our tour including 2 boys (8-11). So about 5 different groups of people.
We are not the fittest of people but are fine with lots of stairs. If you aren’t good for 250 odd stairs up and down each way over 45 mins, perhaps choose a different cave (Marakoopa Karst Cave near Mole Creek for example).
Show threadBrisWombat

3/x of Newdegate Cave / Hastings Cave NP (I may struggle with the alt text here, I welcome detail from people who are knowledgeable on dolomite #cave / this cave’s geology.)

The first chamber (pic1) was down a short set of steep stairs, but only illuminated at the top on the landing. Our guide explained how the discoverers used tossing stones to gauge if there was any drop offs and this point was as far as they could go, and the darkness below us indicated a fairly steep cliff before us. She then turned on the lights to reveal a larger cavern below us, quite an awe-inspiring reveal.
We took a staircase that turned back under itself 4 sets until we were in the 2nd chamber (pic2). It was easily 30m across and in height. It had some #stalactites that were long but it did have a massive #stalagmite that from a certain angle the guide said looked like Jabba from Star Wars.
It was one of these 2 chambers where the guide turned the lights out. It was completely dark. Not scary though.

Jul 27, 2025 at 9:29amWeb
Show threadBrisWombatJul 29, 2025
4/x down the steps in pic1 to the main cavern, easily 30m in diameter, with the signs on the ceiling of where water initially began the carve out of this cave eons ago. Some side tunnels branched off here, most too small for easy access. In all, we would visit around 7 different “chambers”, almost all accessed by either going up or down sets of stairs.
Show threadBrisWombatJul 29, 2025
5/x various chambers have different formations, all due to the way the water and calcites trickled and became solid. Some were curtains, with the effect of open curtains and their waviness. Others were waxy, like a tap with melted wax pours out and solidifies over what had already hardened. Much more in the alt text, including the turnaround point of the tour.
Show threadBrisWombatJul 29, 2025
This was pretty much the tour, leaving out a few fun bits with the guide (if you go and get the guide whose name starts with E you will have a good tour).
The climb back out of the cave was a bit tiring for my wife and I (we are not in any kind of shape but managed), and we recovered by spending the next half hour taking pics and creative vids along the path - a copious amount of moss which I shall post when I can (not near a decent internet connection atm as we are travelling abroad).