Everything you need to know for visiting the Caves and Thermal Springs in Tasmania’s Far South. Discover how to get here from Hobart, what to expect, and a personal review.
Visiting the Hastings Caves and Thermal Springs is an opportunity to experience Tasmania’s best cave system. The main event of this experience is Newdegate Cave, a deep dolerite cave featuring incredible subterranean formations and tiny creatures found nowhere else in the world.
Visiting the caves State Reserve also includes entry to the thermal springs where you can enjoy a warm swim after walking some of the short scenic tracks.
Below I’ll outline everything you need to know about visiting and hope to answer all your questions and inspire your visit to this incredible hidden gem in Tassie’s deep south!
Where is Hastings Caves and Thermal Springs?
The cave and thermal springs are located in Hastings Caves State Reserve, approximately 90 minutes south of Hobart at the southern end of the beautiful Huon Valley.
Access to both the caves and the thermal pool is at the Visitor Centre, located on Hastings Caves Road. The closest town is known as Hastings.
If you're interested in seeing the Newdegate Cave and Thermal Springs from Hobart and don't have your own transport, then I highly recommend booking a tour on GetYourGuide which includes the famous Tahune Airwalk.
This ticket is cost-effective since it includes all of the entry fees to both attractions as well as transport and hotel pickup and drop-off.
How to Get To the Caves from Hobart
To get to caves from Hobart, you'll need your own transport. You will want to head to the Visitor Centre, where you can book your tickets and start the tour. I've pinned the exact location of the Visitor Centre below which is accurate.
Google Maps Pin: "Visitor Centre"
The road to the Visitor Centre is sealed the entire way and accessible by all vehicle types. Navigating to Hastings Caves from Hobart is quite easy. Just follow the Hyon Highway south all the way until you see signs for Hastings, where you will need to take a right turn onto Hastings Caves Road, just before the township of Southport.
From Hastings, continue on Hastings Caves Road for approximately 5 km before you reach a large car park at the Visitor Centre.
Car Rentals in Tasmania
Unfortunately, the cost of bringing your own car on the Spirit of Tasmania has skyrocketed in recent years. Now, it is usually cheaper to rent a car on arrival. I recommend using DiscoverCars in Tasmania to compare rates for different vehicles across dealerships.
(Rentals are limited in Tasmania so it's a good idea to book in advance).
Hastings Caves Booking Information
Entry to the Hastings Caves and Thermal Springs requires a ticket, purchased from the Visitor Centre. These tickets can be purchased up to 14 days in advance since there is currently a limit of only 8 people per tour and as a result, sell out quickly.
Below I've summarised all of the information you need to know about booking a cave tour.
How to book a Cave Tour
You can book a ticket by either showing up at the Visitor Centre or by phoning in advance on (03) 6298 3209. As mentioned above the other option is to book a guided Hastings Caves tour from Hobart.
We arrived at the Visitor Centre at around 12 PM and were told that all tours were sold out for the day. However, it was possible for us to book for the following day with plenty of spots.
Opening & Tour Times
Caves opening hours:
The Visitor Centre opens at 10:00 AM and closes at 4 PM.
Caves Tour Times:
The tour times vary by season. Below is the most up-to-date information on the tour times for Hastings Caves (the Newdegate Cave tour).
| Dates | Visitor Centre and Thermal Pool Hours | Cave Tour Times |
|---|---|---|
| 1 February - 6 February 2024 | 9:00 am - 5:00 pm | 10:00 am; 11:00 am; 12:00 pm; 1:00 pm; 2:00 pm; 3:00 pm; 4:00 pm |
| 7 February - 15 September 2024 | 10:00 am – 4:00 pm | 11:00 am; 12:00 pm; 1:00 pm; 2:00 pm; 3:00 pm |
| 16 September - 24 December 2024 | 10:00 am - 4:00 pm | 11:00 am; 12:00 pm; 1:00 pm; 2:00 pm; 3:00 pm |
| 25 December 2024 - Closed | Closed | Closed |
| 26 December 2024 – 31 January 2025 | 9:00 am – 5:00 pm | 10:00 am; 11:00 am; 12:00 pm; 1:00 pm; 2:00 pm; 3:00 pm; 4:00 pm |
Cave Tour Prices
Below is a summary of the current prices for the Hastings Caves and Thermal Springs.
| Adults (over 18) | $24 |
| Children (free for under 4 years) | $12 |
| Concessions (government concession card) | $19.20 |
| Family 2 adults & 3 children | $60 |
Thermal Springs Entry Prices Without Cave Tour
This entry includes access to the thermal springs pool and amenities all day and to the 5-10 minute Platypus and Hot Springs forest walks.
Online or phone bookings are not required for the thermal pool.
| Adults (18 years and over) | $5.00 |
| Child (4 to 17 years. No charge under 4 years) | $2.50 |
| Concession (Seniors, Pensioners and Health Care Card holders) | $4.00 |
| Family (2 adults and up to 3 children) | $12.00 |
What's included in your ticket?
Purchasing a ticket at the caves and Thermal Springs includes a 45-minute guided tour of Newdegate Cave, one of the largest caves in Hastings Caves State Reserve.
Visitors also get access to the thermal pool for swimming, hot showers, and a BBQ area. There are also several short walking trails behind the Visitor Centre worth checking out such as the Platypus Walk.
Tip: The BBQs on site are perfect for those looking to have a picnic lunch (they shut off 30 minutes before closing time)
About Hastings Caves State Reserve
The State Reserve is a Karst landscape with plenty of lush eucalypt forest and temperate rainforest. Karst systems are landscapes where the dissolved bedrock creates many sinkholes, streams, caves, and springs.
To protect these 40-million-year-old cave systems, Tasmanian Parks and Wildlife have only opened one cave system to visitors. This is known as Newdegate Cave, which is one of the most impressive cave systems in Tasmania.
However, there are other things to do near the thermal pools and caves, including checking out the flooded sinkhole at Duckhole Lake. And, if you're an experienced bushwalker, you could also consider the Adamsons Falls walk.
What to Expect on the Caves Tour: Newdegate Cave
After booking our ticket, we were told to arrive at the Visitor Centre at least 45 minutes prior to the cave tour time to pay for our tickets. That's because the actual Newdegate Cave tour is found 5 km from the Visitor Centre at the end of Hastings Caves Road.
After paying, we needed to drive our own car (there is no transport shuttle), to the carpark at the end of the road.
Rainforest Walk to Newdegate Cave
There is a dedicated car park at the end of the road which can accommodate at least 30 vehicles. After parking our car, we walked the roughly 5-minute scenic rainforest walk to the entrance of Newdegate Cave.
This is incredibly beautiful, with towering old-growth eucalypts and lush, temperate rainforest surrounds. The track is a boardwalk the entire way and features a bridge crossing a gentle stream below.
Our Experience Exploring Newdegate Cave
The caves tour included in your ticket runs for 45 minutes and is conducted by an experienced Parks and Wildlife Guide.
Tip: We were told to aim to be at the cave entrance at least 5 minutes before the tour.
The tour was incredibly informative and well-run. It is clear that Tasmanian Parks and Wildlife have done a lot to ensure that conservation is at the forefront of priorities when it comes to managing this cave.
The cave system is apparently around 3 km deep. However, visitor access is limited to the first 300 m, where stairways and even concrete floors have been constructed to protect the delicate subterranean ecosystem.
In my opinion, this cave is one of the best to visit in Tasmania. There are loads of great opportunities to take photos of formations including stalactites and stalagmites, huge flowstones, vertical columns, shawls, thousands of thin straws, and helictites.
The best part of the cave experience was the "blackout". We all stood in a circle and the tour guide turned off the lights creating complete darkness. I've been on several cave tours around the world now, and I think that experiencing the true darkness only possible in caves like this is always a must!
How did the caves form?
The informative guide will be sure to explain all of these technical aspects of the caves. However, if you want to one-up them with some witty responses, you can read the details below. Otherwise, skip this section for the tour!
Cave systems in Karst landscapes form from water erosion. Since the caves in Hastings Caves State Reserve are mostly dolerite caves. This means that water had dripped in slowly over millions of years, causing small sinkholes and tunnels to form.
Eventually, these filled with water, eroding the soft sedimentary dolerite which caused crevasses and large voids to form.
How Old Are the Caves & When Was It Discovered?
The caves systems began to form over 40 million years ago. It was discovered by loggers working in the area. These loggers felled a tree, which landed right at the entrance of the cave. They then entered the cave and began exploring. Eventually, the word got out and the area was claimed for conservation.
The caves were named after Sir Francis Newdegate. He served as the Governor of Tasmania between 1917 and 1920.
What Animals Live in The Caves?
Don't worry, there are no bats living in these caves In fact, there are no cave-dwelling bats living in Tasmania. Instead, the only creatures that inhabit the cave are small Tasmanian cave crickets and cave spiders.
Our cave guide was lucky to find a cave cricket and showed us using the low-setting of her torch as to not damage the cricket's light-sensitive skin.
Back At the Visitor Centre: Hastings Thermal Springs & Short Walks
After the cave tour, we headed back to the Visitor Centre to enjoy a few scenic walks.
These include the Platypus Trail and the Thermal Springs Walk. They are both possible on a short 20-30 minute circuit following mineral-rich thermal springs and cold water creeks. This loops back to the pool where you can then enjoy a warm swim.
Truthfully, I was expecting more of a natural thermal pool. However, this pool looks more like a regular backyard swimming pool. The only difference is that it's fed by naturally heated and mineral-rich water from the spring below.
The Thermal Pool at the Visitor Centre is a comfortable 28 degrees Celcius all year round. There are also hot showers and BBQ areas that you can enjoy after your swim.
My Personal Review of the Hastings Caves Tours
Visiting Hastings Caves was a fascinating experience for both Haylea and myself (Even though we have done many cave tours before this was by far one of the best). The knowledgeable guide who went into detail was a bonus. And overall the complete darkness moment was a highlight.
However, booking a tour was challenging due to limited availability, and the thermal pool felt more like a standard swimming pool than a natural hot spring. Overall if you're exploring the south of Tasmania it is a great day trip experience that is easily accessible and on the cheap side which is always a plus!
Tip: Be sure to book your spot early so you don't have to come back like we did!
FAQ About Hastings Caves
Where are Hastings Caves and Thermal Springs located?
The caves and Thermal Springs are located in the Hastings Caves State Reserve, around 90 minutes south of Hobart.
How do I get to Hastings Caves from Hobart?
You'll need your own transport. Follow the Huon Highway south, then take a right turn onto Hastings Caves Road before Southport. Alternatively, book a day tour from Hobart.
Do I need to book a tour in advance?
Yes, book in advance as tours can sell out quickly. You can book by calling (03) 6298 3209 or at the Visitor Centre.
Can I see any unique wildlife in the caves?
Yes, we spotted some small Tasmanian cave crickets and cave spiders. Funnily enough there are no bats in Tasmanian caves.
What should I bring with me?
Bring comfortable walking shoes, a camera, swimwear for the thermal pool, and snacks if you plan to use the BBQ area. It can be quite cold within the cave so a warm jacket is also good to have.
Looking for Accommodation?
Are you cruising around Tasmania and looking for accommodation near Hastings Caves Tasmania? Below I've recommended some of the best-rated hotels and accommodation options to help you out.
1. Southern Forest Southport
Tucked away amongst the bush you'll find this 2 bedroom cottage offering a tranquil atmosphere and large outdoor balcony with views over a beautiful garden. If getting off-grid is your thing you'll love Southern Forest.
2. Far South Eco-Cabin Lune River
Another cozy choice for those looking for isolation. This 2 bedroom house offers a fireplace, large living areas, and views over the breathtaking landscapes of the Lune River.
3. River Run Lodge Strathblane
A beautiful lodge sitting on the edge of the river with dorm and family rooms available. A restaurant and bar are located on-site and kayaking, fishing and hiking can be enjoyed from the property.
I hope that this quick guide to visiting the Hastings Caves and Thermal Springs in Southern Tasmania has been useful for planning your trip.
Also, I've written comprehensively about other parts of Tasmania. So, make sure to check out some of my other articles too. I'm sure that you'll find some great travel and adventure inspiration for your trip around this beautiful part of Australia.
- 65 Epic Things to Do in Tasmania - My ultimate guide to exploring Tassie, complete with must-visit icons & hidden gems.
- Hikes in Tasmania - Discover 40+ of Tassie's best hiking trails, including short walks and long overnight treks!
- Waterfalls in Tasmania - A guide to 25+ of Tasmania's best waterfalls!
- Where to Stay in Tasmania - The ultimate accommodation guide to help your stops and places to stay.
- Best Tours & Experiences in Tasmania - This years' roundup of my favourite bookable tours & experiences across Tassie!