Quick FactsOverview
About Hastings Caves and Thermal Springs
Hastings Caves and Thermal Springs, Australia is a paid Parks and Wildlife Service site at 754 Hastings Caves Road in Hastings, deep in the Huon Valley of southern Tasmania, approximately 105 kilometres south of Hobart. The thermal pool is a constructed pool fed by a natural geothermal spring that surfaces at around 28 degrees Celsius. Rainwater enters the dolomite rock near Hastings Caves, descends to approximately 600 metres, and rises again under natural pressure as warm springs across the Lune River floodplain. The pool has been open to visitors since 1939 and sits in a lush temperate rainforest setting of ferns, tall eucalypts, and dense understorey vegetation.
Newdegate Cave, the second major attraction at the site, is Australia's largest tourist cave that occurs in dolomite. Discovered in 1917 by timber workers, the cave contains stalactites, stalagmites, columns, helictites, flowstone, and shawls. Tours are led by Parks and Wildlife guides, run for 45 minutes, and operate daily except Christmas Day. Cave tour tickets include thermal pool access. For those seeking natural hot springs in Australia in a temperate rainforest setting combined with a cave experience, Hastings is the only site of its kind in Tasmania.
Location & Access
Getting to Hastings Caves and Thermal Springs
Hastings Caves and Thermal Springs is at 754 Hastings Caves Road in Hastings. From Hobart take the Southern Outlet through Huonville, Geeveston, and Dover. At Southport turn right onto Hastings Caves Road, continue 4.2 kilometres, then turn right again; follow the sealed road 3.3 kilometres to the Visitor Centre. The total drive from Hobart is around 105 kilometres and takes approximately one hour and 45 minutes.
The thermal pool is at the Visitor Centre and requires no additional driving. For the cave tour, visitors drive a further 5 kilometres to the cave car park after purchasing tickets, then take a short walk to meet the guide at the cave entrance. Arriving at least 45 minutes before a chosen tour time is required to allow time for this additional drive after ticket purchase. GPS reception can be unreliable near Hastings; following road signs from Dover onward is recommended. Accommodation is available in Dover and Southport, with camping further south at Cockle Creek. For visitors researching natural hot springs in Australia in a southern Tasmanian forest setting, Hastings is a straightforward day trip from Hobart on fully sealed roads throughout the journey.
Suitability & Accessibility
Who Hastings Caves and Thermal Springs Suits
Hastings Caves and Thermal Springs suits families, day-trippers from Hobart, and visitors to far southern Tasmania who want to combine a cave experience with a thermal pool swim in a rainforest setting. The site works well as a full day out, with the 45-minute cave tour, the thermal pool, the Platypus walk, the longer Hot Springs Forest Walk, and a picnic all available within the same reserve.
The thermal pool and the Platypus walk are documented as wheelchair accessible, and the Visitor Centre, cafe, and toilets are also fully accessible. The cave tour itself is not accessible, as it involves 250 stairs each way with low lighting, making it unsuitable for most visitors with mobility limitations. Visitors with mobility requirements can access the thermal pool and short walks independently while members of their group do the cave tour.
The pool operates at 28 degrees Celsius, which is mild and suitable for extended swimming by people of all ages including young children. Southern Tasmania's outdoor temperatures can be cool even in summer, so warm clothing for before and after the swim is recommended. Cave tour numbers are limited to 20 participants and tickets are sold on the day at the Visitor Centre on a first-in, first-served basis; arriving early in the day is advisable for those who want to ensure a tour spot, particularly in peak summer season. For those seeking geothermal pools in Australia in a forest and cave context, this is the only site of its kind in Tasmania.
Safety & Etiquette
Hastings Caves and Thermal Springs Safety Tips
Hastings Caves and Thermal Springs is generally safe for visitors. The thermal pool at 28 degrees Celsius is mild and does not carry the overheating risk of hotter artesian bore baths. The pool is an outdoor facility in a forest setting; outdoor temperatures in southern Tasmania can be cool even in summer, and the contrast between pool water and air temperature is often marked. Bringing warm clothing to change into after swimming is practical, particularly in autumn, winter, and spring.
The cave tour involves 250 stairs each way with handrails, and the lighting inside is low. Sturdy footwear is required for the cave tour. Backpacks, selfie sticks, tripods, food, and drinks are not permitted inside the cave to protect the cave environment. Tour groups are limited to 20 people per tour. The cave is part of the Hastings Cave State Reserve, which is a World Heritage Listed area; all standard national park behaviour applies, including staying on tracks and not touching cave formations.
Dogs are not permitted anywhere in the reserve or caves. A parks pass is not required specifically for Hastings Caves State Reserve, but one is required for national parks visited on the same trip. The electric barbecues shut down 30 minutes before closing time. Portable cookers and gas barbecues are not permitted. The Visitor Centre sells light snacks, coffee, and souvenirs. Accommodation is available in Dover and Southport, with camping available further south at Cockle Creek.
