Mole Creek Karst National Park

Understand

History Mole Creek Karst National Park was declared in 1996 to provide protection for an extensive system of over 300 known caves and sinkholes, including Marakoopa and King Solomons Cave.

Landscape As in the name of the park, most of this park is made up of a network of caves. Above ground, it's generally hilly.

Flora and fauna The park features a wide range of flora and fauna, of varying conservation status with the species are contained both in the caves, and in the surrounding forests within the national park. Many of the species present, especially in the caves, are endemic to the area, meaning they're very important in regards to conservation and protection. The main highlight of the caves are the glow worms that inhabit the caves, with the Marakoopa Cave houses one of the most spectacular glow-worm displays in the entire system, and is a major tourist attraction on the guided cave tours.

Climate The climate of the park on the ground is generally cold all year around, although it can go down.to freezing during the colder months of April to October, with temperatures over 18° being a very rare occurrence. Being part of the Tasmanian Wilderness, the rainfall is often more concentrated during the winter months, with usually January being the driest month.

Visitor information Park website The ticket office for Marakoopa Caves is at 330 Mayberry Road, Mayberry and 600 metres before the entrance to Marakoopa Cave and the ticket office for King Solomon's Cave is at 1535 Liena Road, Liena, in front of the cave's entrance. The email for both ticket offices is [email protected].

Getting there

In general, if you're getting here, getting your GPS to the town of Mole Creek should generally be fine which can be accessed via the B12 Mole Creek Road from Deloraine mainly via private transport. Alternatively, you could also enter 330 Mayberry Rd, Mole Creek which would also take you to the park. Since this national park instead of being one, rather twelve different separate patches of land in the area collectively classified as a national park, getting to each and individual areas differ slightly. Campervans and caravans will not be able to access the lower carpark of Marakoopa Cave – park at the upper carpark and make your way down on foot.

Getting around

Most sections of the park are connected by road, however, the important points of interests; the ticket office, the gift shops and both the caves are all connected by the road, and take about a 12 km (7.5 mi) drive.

See

While there are over 300 different caves in Mole Creek Karst National Park, only two of them have tours and where you're able to visit. The other caves are off limits.

1 King Solomon's Cave, 1535 Liena Rd, Liena, ☏ +61 3 6363 5181. This cave features an extensive network of sediment and bone deposit, as well as shawls, and speleothems which make up stalactites and stalagmites. (updated Dec 2021) 2 Marakoopa Cave, 330 Mayberry Rd, Mayberry, ☏ +61 3 6363 5182. Popular for its fantastic glow worm display, and features two underground streams, large caverns, rim pools, reflections and shawl and flowstone features, have been developed as very successful show caves and are the main attraction of the guided cave tours. (updated Dec 2021) Touring the caves must be done on a tour guide, and there are three tours to choose from.

Underground Rivers and Glow Worms Tour Great Cathedral and Glow Worms Tour The King Solomons Cave Tour The first two explore different parts of Marakoopa Cave, while the last one explores King Solomons Cave as the name says. Remember that you will need at least 15 minutes to travel between the two sections. Tours have to be booked by going to the park's website, or by calling ☏ +61 3 6363 5182. Alternatively, you could get a ticket at the ticket office at 330 Mayberry Road, Mayberry, however, this is not generally advisable during peak holiday seasons.

Do

The fifteen minute Fernglade Walk or the Marakoopa Forest Walk from the parking area near the ticket office to the Marakoopa Cave entrance is one walk that just an example of the untouched wilderness of Tasmania.

Buy

1 Gift shop, 330 Mayberry Road, Mayberry. A small gift shop. No specific name. Also functions as a ticket office. (updated Nov 2021)

Go next

Walls of Jerusalem National Park is to the south of Mole Creek Karst National Park, with breathtaking mountain views