Gunns Plains Cave facts for kids
Gunns Plains Cave is a super cool limestone cave you can visit! It's called a "show cave" because it's set up for people to explore safely. You can find it near Gunns Plains in the North West of Tasmania, about 20 kilometres from Ulverstone.
This amazing cave is full of beautiful rock formations and unique wildlife. It's a great place to learn about geology and the creatures that live in dark, damp places.
Contents
History of Gunns Plains Cave
How the Cave Was Discovered
Gunns Plains Cave was first explored in 1906. A local man named Bill Woodhouse was hunting for possums. One possum got away from him by disappearing down a hole. Bill followed and found himself in the cave!
This hole became the first way into the cave. Early visitors had to use ropes to climb down three stories to the cave floor. Imagine how tricky that must have been!
Making the Cave Easier to Visit
Later, 54 concrete steps were built. These steps led from the cave floor to a new entrance cut into the hillside. This steep, narrow staircase is still the only way for visitors to enter and leave the cave today.
At first, people used candlelight or torches to see inside. This was difficult and didn't show off the cave's beauty very well. So, electric lights were installed throughout the cave. This made it much easier and safer for everyone to see the amazing features. The lighting system was even updated in 2003 to make it even better for visitors.
In 2008, the cave got a brand new lighting system using LED lights. These lights are very bright and energy-efficient, making the cave look even more spectacular!
Who Looks After the Cave?
Since 2004, Geoff and Patricia Deer have been taking care of Gunns Plains Cave. They lease the rights to manage the cave from the Tasmania Parks and Wildlife Service. They offer daily tours, so lots of people can come and explore this natural wonder.
What You Can See Inside Gunns Plains Cave
The part of the cave that is open to the public is about 275 metres long. It's very well lit, and most of it is an easy walk. You'll see incredible natural formations all around you.
Amazing Cave Formations
As you walk through the cave, you'll spot many beautiful rock formations. These include:
- Stalactites: These are pointy rock formations that hang down from the cave ceiling, like icicles.
- Stalagmites: These are similar pointy formations that grow upwards from the cave floor. They often form directly under stalactites.
- Helictites: These are special, twisted formations that seem to defy gravity, growing in all directions.
- Flowstone: This looks like frozen waterfalls of rock, covering the walls and floors in dazzling sheets.
These formations are created over thousands of years as water drips and leaves behind minerals.
The Wild Cave Section
Beyond the public area, there's another kilometre of "wild cave." This part was mapped a long time ago in the early 1900s. It's much harder to get to and is not open for regular tours.
Wildlife in Gunns Plains Cave
Gunns Plains Cave is home to many different kinds of animals. It's a special place for creatures that like dark, damp environments.
Unique Cave Animals
You might be surprised by the animals living here! The cave is home to:
- The endangered Tasmanian giant freshwater crayfish. This is a very rare and large crayfish!
- Platypus
- Freshwater fish
- Eels
- Cave crickets
- Spiders
Glow Worms in the Cave
One of the most exciting things to see are the glow worms, also known as Arachnocampa. You can always find them in the cave. They create beautiful, glowing lights on the ceiling. They also hang down long, sticky silk threads to catch tiny insects. It looks like a starry night sky inside the cave!
