WILD
CAVE TOURS
Mole Creek, Tasmania, Australia
Spring
Newsletter
1999
Tasmania
in spring shows off a multitude of
colours. Standing in the Mole Creek valley
and gazing at the Great Western Tiers the
first impression is the dense gold blossom
of the black wattles against the sombre
darkness of the native wet sclerophyll forests. The brilliant green of the mosaic
farming landscape before the escarpment of
the Tiers is stunning. The villages and
farmhouses are brilliant with spring
gardens in flower. But delve beneath the
surface, into the caves, and the picture
of our valley is complete. In spring, when
we get plenty of rain, the caves'
formations are vibrant with colour as
well; enhanced by the mineral rich water
flowing and dripping over stalactites and
flowstone.
| Rivers
are flowing strongly through the caves.
Cave passages are the river systems here,
and in summer and autumn when the cave
streams are quieter, you can still sense
how much water must flow at other seasons.
You can sense that the underground world
awaits the next seasonal flush with
mountain water. |
Doorway to
discovery |
The
rich colours of the calcite-streaked dark
blue-grey cave walls in the stream
passages contrast with the rich enhanced
colours of the formations emerging from
the ceilings. The waterfalls which rejoin
stream branches in the lower cave system
show dramatic white water when we turn our
lights onto them. The roar of the churning
water in the confines of the passages is
very exiting. Much photography has been
the rage here this spring. I hope all the
photos turn out really well.
Most
of the large cave spiders seem to have
hatched their broods, and are able once
more to roam for food after their long
vigil, guarding their egg sacs for up to 5
months. They can be hard to spot now when
they are so lively, and I must be careful
not to linger with the lights as it
disturbs them. The constant influx of
fresh food from the forest on the rushing
streams excites the glow-worms, which now
appear to be increasing in numbers or
brilliance, especially if you linger in a
river cave long enough to gain complete
night vision. The blind white shrimps are
making a comeback into the main passages
after each high water event when they hide
in quieter nooks. I have seen two "calling
cards" of platypus so far this spring in
the caves, indicating these animals are
finding fresh food in the
caves.
Our
exploration has sometimes been restricted
largely to the upper levels of caves while
streams are rising after heavy rainfalls
or snow melt. Mostly we're out of the rain
in there, but don't stand under that
cluster of straw stalactites! There have
been two days only when there was too much
water to explore caves at all. At those
times even the show cave, Marakoopa, was
closed.
But
spring is full of surprises. It's great to
enter the caves during rain and emerge to
warm sunshine or shafts of sun between
dramatic clouds. I've noticed more
northern Australians coming to Tasmania to
see the seasons they can't experience at
home.
As
one of my responsibilities, I coordinated
a Search and Rescue exercise in one of the
river caves this week. A tremendous
success all round, and a necessary public
service to keep in practice with. We
reckon it's fortunate if we don't have
need to use our skills. These practice
days are a lot of fun and stimulate
discussion and awareness of the problems
of evacuation in caves generally. They are
supported by Parks, Police and our local caving club,
the Mole Creek Caving
Club.
More
later. See you underground
(again?).
Deb
Hunter
Owner/operator
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