Our first trip into the Mole Creek Karst system was an unforgettable one!
The Mole Creek Karst National Park consists of several small parcels scattered around the Mole Creek area. The infamous Mole Creek which originates further up in the Great Western Tiers / Kooparoona Niara and forms the Westmorland Falls, flows through Westmorland Cave and also Wet and Honeycomb Caves respectively, both located further down the hill at the Mole Creek Karst National Park campground.
This campground just outside Mole Creek is one of our usual weekly haunts. We’ve become acquainted with both caves through our frequent overnighting at the campground and exploration of their respective entrances. We’ve been careful not to go too deep into the caves, without the right gear, instead keeping a safe distance at the entrances. After discovering the back part of Honeycomb Cave, it was only a matter of time before our curiosity needed complete immersion.
Having done yoga in the same class as local cave expert Deb Hunter for almost a year, it was only logical to organise a group tour with her for the Map of Tassie outdoor group. Six women signed up for a half day tour of Honeycomb Cave and the rest, as they say, is history.
It was basically love at first sight. What had previously been seen from a cave entrance, was now discovered up close and personal below the surface. And what a stunning and tantalising underworld it was. We crawled through tiny holes in walls to enter narrow corridors, where we hung over the flowing waters of Mole Creek, and then dropped down into the lower levels of the subterranean world to marvel at the reflective pools, mud, rocks, shawl formations and fossils.
The tour was a true adventure with Deb patiently guiding us through the beautiful Karst world, and opening our eyes to the abundance of life right under our feet and literally at our doorstep. It seemed only fitting to learn that Honeycomb Cave is a secret women’s site for the local Pallitore band of Tasmanian Aboriginals.
The Tiers with a stunning rainbow display
Deb explaining the inner world of Honeycomb
Cave forms
More cave forms
Flow stone forms
Even more flow stone forms
Light from the surface
Crawling through tiny holes
Some has been bitten by the cave bug
Creek running through
Dropping down to a lower level
Sliding down narrow muddy passages