Location

Newdegate Cave is located at Hastings, Tasmania.

History

Newdegate Cave began forming over 40 million years ago.

It was discovered in 1917 by workers harvesting the surrounding forest.

Although visitors were able to access the cave from 1919, its internal infrastructure was not built until the 1930s.

The cave was officially opened in 1939 by Albert Ogilvie, Tasmania’s then-Premier.

Today

Today, Newdegate Cave is the largest dolomite cave in Australia that is open to visitors.

A 28-degree thermal swimming pool is located nearby.

Photo gallery
The entrance to Newdegate Cave (October 1938).
The entrance to Newdegate Cave (October 1938).
The thermal swimming pool in 1948.
The thermal swimming pool in 1948.
The thermal swimming pool (year unknown).
The thermal swimming pool (year unknown).
Newdegate Cave today.
Newdegate Cave today.
Bibliography

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Tas That Was is a column that includes:

  • anecdotes of life in Tasmania in the past;
  • historical photographs of locations in Tasmania; and/or
  • documentaries about locations in Tasmania.

If you have an anecdote or photograph you’d like to share with us, please send it to [email protected].