Marakoopa Cave

Marakoopa Cave is known for its glow-worm displays and underground streams. One of the Mole Creek Karst National Park’s main attractions, Marakoopa Cave offers visitors a chance to explore intricate limestone formations and witness the bioluminescent glow-worms that light up certain chambers.

Historically, Marakoopa Cave has been known to the local Aboriginal people for centuries and was first explored by European settlers in the late 1800s. In the early 20th century, the cave was opened to the public, with guided tours becoming popular by the 1930s. Today, the cave is protected under Tasmania’s national park system, which manages visitor access and conservation efforts. The park’s rangers and tour guides play a key role in educating visitors about the cave’s formation and its ecological significance.

What to see at Marakoopa Cave

Visitors to Marakoopa Cave can explore two main areas within the cave: the glow worm chamber and the underground stream passages. The glow worm chamber is perhaps the most popular attraction, where thousands of glow worms create a natural light display on the cave walls. Guided tours in this chamber offer insights into the life cycle of these glow-worms and the conditions that support their habitat.

The underground stream is another highlight, particularly following rainfall, when water flows more dramatically through the cave’s passages. Visitors can view reflective pools, stalactites and stalagmites, as well as flowstone formations created by mineral deposits over thousands of years. Marakoopa Cave also features various chambers with limestone formations that range from delicate, curtain-like structures to larger columns, each formed through a slow accumulation of minerals over time. Tour guides share geological information about how these formations develop and the factors that shape the cave environment.

Visiting Marakoopa Cave

Marakoopa Cave is accessible by a short walk from the car park on a forested path.

Marakoopa Cave and King Solomons Cave are located 11km apart and you’ll need to allow at least 15 minutes to drive between the two caves.

Marakoopa Cave offers two different guided tours daily: the Underground Rivers & Glow Worms and the Great Cathedral & Glow Worms tour. Bookings for cave tours are recommended, especially during peak travel seasons, as tours have limited spaces.

A National Parks Pass is not required if you’re only visiting one of the show caves; however, it is required if you want to explore elsewhere in the national park.

330 Mayberry Road, Mole Creek TAS 7304
Website parks.tas.gov.au
Cave tours cost $19, seniors $15.50, children (4–17) $9.50, children (under 4) free
Cave tours depart Underground Rivers & Glow Worms tour 10am, 12 noon, 2pm daily; Great Cathedral & Glow Worms tour 11am, 1pm, 3pm daily