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Huon Pine / Newdegate Caves When you think of southern Tasmania, we think of ancient forests and snow covered mountains. Just below the surface, we've found ourselves a wonderland. Newdegate Cave in Hastings is one of the few caves in Australia formed by dolomite, not limestone. And nature's had a long time to perfect her decorating - these awesome and ornate structures began forming more than 40 million years ago. These amazing formations give you an eerie sense of being under the sea and I've actually found a giant jellyfish ! The cave was discovered by accident in 1917 by a local woodchopper. Imagine his reaction when he wandered into this cathedral ! It's easy to become disillusioned in caves, imagine the first folk by candlelight crawling on hands and knees - pretty brave. These ceilings are also a vivid history book, with remnants of floods from tens of thousands of years ago. The little bubbles are like time capsules - caves are actually story books and we don't know how to read them all yet. The floor throughout the whole cave is crystal and you can shine a torch straight into the rock. These dolomite caves are a totally alien environment to humans but to other creatures - they're home. Cave critters like these crickets have grown very long antennae to adapt to life in the dark… and most wouldn't survive on the surface. But I reckon I'm ready for a bit of fresh air… Tahune Forest Reserve is home to lush rainforest where time is counted in centuries. Some of these old gals are up to 800 years old - the pines even older. We're in search of the legendary Huon Pine - there's one up here I just know it. This is one of them, and is believed to be 400 years old. These trees grow up to 2000 yrs plus ! Huon timber is second to none for boatbuilding, so the pines were heavily logged in the 1800s. Thankfully, they're now protected - especially since they only grow 12 cm every century! Now there are all sorts of ways to enjoy walk in the forest - but this way really is a birds eye view. This is the longest treetop walk in the world. Even though it moves and sways as you walk, they tell me it can withstand cyclonic winds. We're actually about 25 metres above the forest floor. At this level, you're at the top of rainforest trees, and above that all big eucalypts, so big stringybarks, leatherwoods,. Myrtles, celery top pines, sassafras, dogwood blackwood… It's cold wild and absolutely tasmanian beautiful. Hard to believe there's not a tassie tiger out there somewhere. Check out the Huon River and take an airwalk among the treetops at the Tahune Forest Reserve. It's open every day. Explore Newdegate Cave at Hastings Caves and thermal springs. Half day guided tours start at $65 and a full day tour costs $135 including BBQ lunch. We toured Tassie in a Britz Campervan - a great way to explore the Apple Isle. To find out more, phone the Britz freecall number or visit their website. A 2-3 berth
Toyota Hitop starts at $54 a day… and in Hobart, you can
park the campervan at the Treasure Island Caravan Park. Sites
start at $18 a double. |
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HUON TRAIL Tahune Forest
Airwalk Hastings
Caves & Thermal Springs Cost Britz Campervan Cost Accommodation
National
Tree Day |
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