Mole Creek: Tasmania’s Hidden Valley of Caves, Wilderness and Wonder

Cradled between the rugged Gog Range and the soaring escarpments of the Great Western Tiers, Mole Creek is one of Tasmania’s most quietly spectacular destinations. This serene valley in the island’s central north is a place where ancient geology, wild landscapes and small‑town charm come together to create an experience that feels both timeless and deeply Tasmanian. Just beyond its rolling farmland lies a world carved over 450 million years—a labyrinth of limestone caves, underground rivers and glow‑lit chambers protected within Tasmania’s only underground national park.

Why Visit Mole Creek

Mole Creek is the kind of place that rewards curiosity. Above ground, the scenery is pastoral and peaceful; below ground, it transforms into a cathedral of stone, water and light. Travellers come for the caves, but they stay for the wilderness, the wildlife, and the sense of discovery that permeates the entire region. Whether you’re a gentle wanderer or an adrenaline‑seeker, Mole Creek offers a rare blend of tranquillity and adventure.

The Caves: A Journey into Tasmania’s Underworld

With more than 300 caves and sinkholes, the Mole Creek Karst National Park is one of Australia’s most significant karst landscapes. Two caves are open to the public, each offering a completely different encounter.

• King Solomons Cave
  A dry cave renowned for its rich colours and ornate formations. Expect shimmering calcite crystals, delicate shawls and chambers that feel sculpted by an artist’s hand.
• Marakoopa Cave
  A wet cave alive with underground streams and home to Australia’s largest glow‑worm display. Step into the darkness and look up—the ceiling becomes a galaxy of living lights.

For the bold, wild cave tours offer a deeper, more immersive adventure. Equipped with a helmet and headlamp, you’ll crawl, climb and wade through raw, unlit passages where the only sound is running water and your own heartbeat. It’s exhilarating, messy and unforgettable.

Things to Do Around Mole Creek

• Explore the Mersey Valley by 4WD
  Traverse remote tracks, river crossings and mountain viewpoints with local guides who know the land intimately.
• Taste Leatherwood Honey
  Visit a local honey farm and sample Tasmania’s iconic leatherwood honey—floral, aromatic and utterly unique to the island’s ancient rainforests.
• White‑Water Rafting on the Upper Mersey
  For thrill‑seekers, the rapids deliver a fast‑flowing, adrenaline‑charged ride through pristine wilderness.
• Walks for Every Traveller
  • Liffey Falls: A gentle rainforest walk to one of Tasmania’s most photogenic cascades.
  • Arm River Track: A rewarding short walk with views of the Tiers.
  • Lake Rowallan: A peaceful lakeside wander with mountain backdrops.
  • Walls of Jerusalem National Park: A challenging alpine hike into a dramatic, high‑country wilderness often compared to a natural cathedral.
• Meet Tasmania’s Wildlife
  At Trowunna Wildlife Park, encounter Tasmanian devils, wombats, quolls and the world’s largest species of barn owl.

Best Time to Visit

Mole Creek enjoys mild summers and crisp winters.

• January average maximum: 21.5°C — ideal for cave tours and bushwalks.
• June average maximum: 11°C — perfect for misty mornings, cosy stays and dramatic winter landscapes.

The caves maintain a cool, stable temperature year‑round, making them a great all‑season activity.

How to Get There

Mole Creek is 72 km west of Launceston—an easy and scenic 1‑hour drive.

• Follow the B54 to Deloraine
• Then take the B12 directly to Mole Creek

The journey winds through farmland, forests and the foothills of the Great Western Tiers, offering plenty of photo stops along the way.

A Place with Heart

Home to just over 200 residents, Mole Creek is a community shaped by farming, forestry and a deep connection to the land. Its name comes from a small stream that once disappeared underground “like a mole,” and its history stretches back to the Aboriginal people who first lived in the region and the European fur hunters who arrived in the 1830s.

Today, Mole Creek remains a place where nature leads the way—quiet, authentic and full of hidden beauty.