Saturday 16/03/2024 Honeycomb Caves
Mole Creek Karst National Park, lutruwita / TASMANIA
Palawa Country
Participants: Stephen Davies (Photos), Sue Davies (Report)
After the excitement of completing Devonport parkrun and being surrounded by world-class athletes with the World Series Triathlon being staged there, we travelled via the small township of Caveside to Mole Creek Karst National Park and the Honeycomb Caves Campsite.
We had some lunch and decided to walk to Wet Cave to explore it. The two caves near the campground are for self-exploration at your own risk. We realised fairly quickly that Wet Cave was indeed wet and we would need Crocs to walk through the stream and into the cave. The creek was fern-lined and mossy with clear water. We headed back to Honeycomb Cave at the other end of the campground.
Honeycomb Cave
This cave was more spacious with several openings to the outside. It was fun exploring it by torchlight and trying to photograph some of the limestone formations. We found a few areas to explore until we reached a sign indicating the rest was closed for safety reasons. I headed back leaving Steve taking extra time to capture some more images.
Once through the first longer chamber make sure to walk further around to the left where there is a second section of cave.
The local landscape features, geology, scenic highlights, flora, fauna, indigenous history, white history and other walks in the area (Gemini)
Landscape Features and Geology
Honeycomb Caves are solutional caves carved from limestone bedrock, a sedimentary rock composed primarily of calcium carbonate. The caves are characterised by large passageways and chambers formed by the erosive power of water flowing through the limestone over millennia.
Scenic Highlights
Honeycomb Caves offers a visually stunning subterranean experience with several key highlights:
Boisterous waterfalls: Flowing water is a prominent feature within the caves, with waterfalls creating a dramatic and immersive soundscape.
Extensive cave formations: The cave is adorned with a variety of speleothems (cave formations) such as stalactites, stalagmites, columns, and flowstones, formed from calcite deposits.
Diverse cave life: While limited by the lack of sunlight, the cave ecosystem supports troglobitic (cave-dwelling) fauna, potentially including blind cave shrimps and glowworms.
Local Flora
The entrance to Honeycomb Caves is situated within a temperate rainforest ecosystem. The specific flora composition can vary depending on microclimates within the rainforest, but some commonly encountered plant species might include:
Sassafras (Cinnamomum oliveri)
Myrtle (Nothofagus cunninghamii)
Blackwood (Acacia melanoxylon)
Coachwood (Ceratopetalum apetalum)
Tree Ferns (various Dicksonia species)
Clubmosses (Selaginella uliginosa)
Liverworts (various Marchantia species)
Mosses (various Bryophyte species)
Local Fauna
The cave environment itself provides limited habitat for fauna due to the lack of light and limited food sources. However, the surrounding rainforest supports a diverse range of Tasmanian animals, including:
Cave spiders (various families): Several spider species may inhabit the cave, preying on smaller invertebrates.
Cave crickets (various Anoplurellidae species): These specialised insects are adapted to the subterranean environment.
Bats (various Microchiroptera species): Bats may utilise the cave for roosting or foraging.
Indigenous History
Information regarding Aboriginal Tasmanian interaction with Honeycomb Caves is limited. The name “Honeycomb Caves” itself is a European designation, and further consultation with Tasmanian Aboriginal people is needed to understand their connection to this land.
White History
Honeycomb Caves were likely discovered by Europeans in the early 1900s, alongside other caves in Mole Creek Karst National Park. The caves became a popular tourist destination due to their relatively easy accessibility and impressive formations. Guided tours are offered, allowing visitors to explore the fascinating underground world.
Other Walks
Mole Creek Karst National Park offers a range of walking tracks catering to different interests and fitness levels. Some options include:
Wet Cave: Explore another cave system known for its water features and self-guided accessible section.
Marakoopa Cave and King Solomons Cave tours: Discover impressive cave systems adorned with diverse speleothems.
Mole Creek Nature Walk: A short loop track through the temperate rainforest alongside Mole Creek.
Limpins Marsh Track: A short track leading to the scenic Limpins Marsh sinkhole.
Upper Forth Falls Track: A more challenging track leading to multiple waterfalls on the Forth River.
A visit to Honeycomb Caves provides a captivating glimpse into the wonders of the subterranean world. The caves’ unique geological features, diverse cave life, and surrounding rainforest create a memorable experience for visitors interested in Tasmania’s karst landscapes.
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