The Hastings Caves State Reserve is the setting of a complex of
cave
A cave or cavern is a natural void in the ground, specifically a space large enough for a human to enter. Caves often form by the weathering of rock and often extend deep underground. The word ''cave'' can refer to smaller openings such as sea ...
s and a natural warm springs located south of
Hobart,
Tasmania
)
, nickname =
, image_map = Tasmania in Australia.svg
, map_caption = Location of Tasmania in AustraliaCoordinates:
, subdivision_type = Country
, subdi ...
, Australia. Newdegate Cave, the largest dolomite cave in Australia open to tourists, is a part of the complex. They are located from the nearby
Lune River fossil/gem centre and the
Ida Bay Railway
The Ida Bay Railway is a , narrow gauge heritage railway. Located south of Hobart, Tasmania, it is the most southerly railway in Australia.
Early history of the area
Tasmanian aborigines have occupied the island for a time still not precise ...
.
The complex features natural warm springs, which cause many of the local streams to be at a year-round temperature of . This feeds a swimming pool at the Hastings Visitor Centre, which is available to visitors to swim in.
The Hastings Visitor Centre was built in 2001 by Tasmanian Parks and Wildlife. Offering information, ticket sales, food and drink, souvenirs and free public WiFi. The Centre is a hub for the growing number of tourists that visit the Far South of Tasmania.
History
The caves were discovered in 1917 by timber workers cutting trees near the entrance of the cave. The caves were initially opened up to tourists in the 1920s, and later the state government stepped in and took control during the Great Depression. Steps and a road to the cave were completed as part of depression era construction work to spur the economy, and the cave was officially opened by
Albert Ogilvie
Albert George Ogilvie (10 March 1890 – 10 June 1939) was an Australian politician and Premier of Tasmania from 22 June 1934 until his death on 10 June 1939.
Ogilvie was the elder son of James Ogilvie. He was educated at St Patrick's Co ...
, Premier of Tasmania, in 1939.
Newdegate Cave was named after
Francis Newdegate
Sir Francis Alexander Newdigate Newdegate, (31 December 1862 – 2 January 1936) was an English Conservative Party politician. After over twenty years in the House of Commons, he served as Governor of Tasmania from 1917 to 1920, and Governor o ...
, the
Governor of Tasmania
The governor of Tasmania is the representative in the Australian state of Tasmania of the Monarch of Australia, currently King Charles III. The incumbent governor is Barbara Baker, who was appointed in June 2021. The official residence of the ...
between 1917 and 1920.
Gallery
Newdegate cave-Tasmania-Australia07.JPG
Newdegate cave-Tasmania-Australia03.JPG
Newdegate cave-Tasmania-Australia16.JPG
Newdegate cave-Tasmania-Australia17.JPG
Newdegate cave-Tasmania-Australia11.JPG
Newdegate cave-Tasmania-Australia05.JPG
Newdegate cave-Tasmania-Australia08.JPG
Newdegate cave-Tasmania-Australia10.JPG
See also
*
List of caves in Tasmania
References
External links
discovertasmania.comTasmania Parks and Wildlife Service - Hastings Caves State Reserve
Show caves in Australia
Tourist attractions in Tasmania
Southern Tasmania
Nature reserves in Tasmania
Caves of Tasmania
Warm springs of Australia
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