Gunns Plains Cave

The Gunns Plains Cave is an underground limestone show cave, located in Gunns Plains in the mid-lands of north Tasmania, twenty kilometres from Ulverstone.

History

The cave was first discovered in 1906 by a local Gunns Plains man, Bill Woodhouse, whilst game hunting for possums. [ [http://www.traveldownunder.com.au/Tasmania/North_West/Gunns_Plains_Cave.asp Gunns Plains Cave tour information.] ] A possum eluded him down a hole which led him directly to the cave. This opening served as the original entrance to the cave and early tourists were required to descend by rope from it, three storeys to the cave floor. Soon it was realised that this would not suffice so a series of fifty four (54) steps were constructed from concrete, leading from the natural cave floor to a new entrance cut into the hillside. This steep and narrow staircase still exists in its entirety and remains the only public entrance and exit to the cave.

Because candlelight (and later torchlight) became troublesome for visitors, power and fixture lighting was installed throughout to illuminate not only the walking track but the many unique features of the cave. In 2003 the system was updated and modified to be of more benefit to visitors. [ [http://www.parks.tas.gov.au/latest/gunns_plains/ Gunns Plains Cave re-opens with new operators and improved infrastructure] , Tasmania Parks and Wildlife Service, 3 October 2004.]

As of 2004 the cave is maintained on behalf of the Tasmania Parks and Wildlife Service by Geoff and Patricia Deer, who lease the rights to manage the cave. They offer six daily tours held year-round for the public. [ [http://www.discovertasmania.com.au/home/product.cfm?productid=1126&from=All%20Tasmanian%20Attractions Discover Tasmania information on Gunns Plains Cave] ]

Features

The public section of the cave runs some two hundred and seventy five (275) metres, is well lit and is for the most part a simple walk. The only hazard lies in taking caution of low ceilings and protruding walls. Aside from the entrance staircase and the occasional step, there is a small permanent ladder used to navigate through one narrow gap.

Many beautiful natural cave formations are present such as stalactites, stalagmites, helictites and a large array of dazzling flowstone are present in the public section of the cave.

A further one kilometre of wild cave was mapped in the early 20th century, but due to difficulty it's not readily open to the public, with at least one section requiring crawling through a low opening on ones knees through shallow water.

Nature

The cave is a host to a wide assortment of wildlife and aside from the aforementioned possums, the cave is known to be inhabited by the endangered Tasmanian Giant Freshwater Crayfish, Platypus, various freshwater fish and eels. A celebrated animal in the cave, the glow worm (or Arachnocampa) can also be consistently found with its signature silk threads dangling from the ceiling.

References

ee also

* Caving
* Gunns Plains
* List of caves in Australia
* Show cave
* Speleology

External links

* [http://www.discovertasmania.com.au/home/product.cfm?productid=1126&from=All%20Tasmanian%20Attractions| Discover Tasmania information on Gunns Plains Cave]
* [http://www.caves.org.au/|Australian Speleological Federation (ASF)] , a national environmental organisation promoting the protection of Australia's unique cave systems.