Mole Creek Karst National Park

Marakoopa Cave (Photo: Tourism Tasmania and John De la Roche)

After a good night’s rest in Deloraine we were raring to get going to Mole Creek Karst National Park as we’re keen to see the spectacular caves and karst formations there!

About the Mole Creek Karst National Park
Visitors have been coming to the Mole Creek Karst National Park for many years to admire the great cave systems here, but the actual national park was set up only quite recently in an attempt to control entry into the cave systems and therefore protect this spectacular area. The Mole Creek Karst National Park was declared in 1996 and is the only national park in Tasmania that was created specifically to protect the karst formations.

What to See and Do at the Mole Creek Karst National Park
For many visitors the highlight of a visit is the two accessible caves of Marakoopa and King Solomon, those these are just two out of over 300 different caves and sinkholes in the region. The park is also popular for spending time enjoying outdoor life with walks, picnicking and more.

Both Marakoopa and King Solomons Cave are open to the public and guided tours are available and highly recommended.

Marakoopa Cave
Marakoopa is a Tasmanian Aboriginal word which means ‘handsome’, and once you’ve seen inside this cave you’ll understand why it’s called this! The highlights of this cave are the two underground streams and the amazing large display of glow-worms! On the 45 minute guided tour you’ll also see caverns, including the Great Cathedral and the Gardens.

King Solomons Cave
45 minute tours are available for the King Solomons Cave too where you’ll see a plethora of stalactites and stalagmites! The good thing with this tour, and with the majority of the Marakoopa cave tour, is that all age groups and all levels of fitness can do it. If you however want to experience a more adventurous form of caving there are tour companies who offer beginners tours in other caves which can last for half a day or a full day, and all necessary equipment is provided.

Unlike some of the national parks of Tasmania, there are no camping facilities here at Mole Creek Karst National Park so you’ll have to plan your visit around staying in a hotel in one of the nearby small towns like Mole Creek or go back to Deloraine or up to Devonport.

‘Touring Tasmania – Mole Creek Karst National Park’ by Claire Bolgil