Southport guidebook -things to do
Sightseeing
MYSTERY CREEK CAVE TRACK
From our place turn right- you'll take the Lune River Road in Ida Bay. About a half-kilometre after the rail station, you'll take a right on South Lune Road. Drive another 4 kilometres to find the Mystery Creek Cave Trail on the left.
Location: Southwest National Park
Length: 4 kilometres return
Grade: 2 (no bushwalking experience required on a well-worn, flat track to the cave)
Distance from: Hobart - 102 km, Launceston - 302 km, Devonport - 383 km
Glowworms await you inside Mystery Creek Cave at the end of this flat and well-marked trail. And it's an easy-earned reward as you'll marvel at relics of a bygone mining era along an abandoned train track. This walk is quintessentially Tasmanian. You'll literally walk through some of the island's 1800-era mining boom history to experience the Australian-endemic glowworm. And it's all easily accessible for the entire family. Plus, you'll be on the outskirts of the protected and wild Southwest National Park; one of the largest swaths of protected land on the planet.
Tasmania experienced a mining boom in the 1800's. Prospectors from all over the world descended upon Tasmania to strike it rich. Some were successful but most were not, and some stripped the land of all its life in places like Queenstown. Fortunately, the mineral mined from the Mystery Creek Cave trail was limestone. The walk takes you along an abandoned tramway that transported the mineral from a large quarry about a kilometre into the forest.
The tramway can be quite muddy, even on dry days, so be sure to bring along sturdy shoes. The forest around the tramway is incredibly thick, which makes you wonder how they carved and laid the track in the first place. You'll find old timey tin cups, empty 1800-era bottles of whisky and tramway car wheels along the track; all relics of a bygone era.
After about a kilometre, you'll reach the limestone quarry. You'll descend into the forest along the left-hand side of the quarry to the cave. You'll find a sign warning you that the cave is prone to flash floods and it's good to keep in mind that weather in Tasmania is precocious and unpredictable. This is why it is only safe to explore the first section of the cave. You'll be able to marvel at plenty of limestone formations, and, if you're lucky, you'll spot a few glowworms shimmering on the ceiling. The blue twinkling starlights are actually the hanging larvae of a mosquito-like insect and not a worm at all. Although the sticky, hanging and glowing threads do seem like worms to the naked eye. After searching for the elusive glowworm, it is time to return down the same tramway track.
Mystery Creek Cave Track
Mystery Creek Cave TrackMYSTERY CREEK CAVE TRACK
From our place turn right- you'll take the Lune River Road in Ida Bay. About a half-kilometre after the rail station, you'll take a right on South Lune Road. Drive another 4 kilometres to find the Mystery Creek Cave Trail on the left.
Location: Southwest National Park
Length: 4 kilometres return
Grade: 2 (no bushwalking experience required on a well-worn, flat track to the cave)
Distance from: Hobart - 102 km, Launceston - 302 km, Devonport - 383 km
Glowworms await you inside Mystery Creek Cave at the end of this flat and well-marked trail. And it's an easy-earned reward as you'll marvel at relics of a bygone mining era along an abandoned train track. This walk is quintessentially Tasmanian. You'll literally walk through some of the island's 1800-era mining boom history to experience the Australian-endemic glowworm. And it's all easily accessible for the entire family. Plus, you'll be on the outskirts of the protected and wild Southwest National Park; one of the largest swaths of protected land on the planet.
Tasmania experienced a mining boom in the 1800's. Prospectors from all over the world descended upon Tasmania to strike it rich. Some were successful but most were not, and some stripped the land of all its life in places like Queenstown. Fortunately, the mineral mined from the Mystery Creek Cave trail was limestone. The walk takes you along an abandoned tramway that transported the mineral from a large quarry about a kilometre into the forest.
The tramway can be quite muddy, even on dry days, so be sure to bring along sturdy shoes. The forest around the tramway is incredibly thick, which makes you wonder how they carved and laid the track in the first place. You'll find old timey tin cups, empty 1800-era bottles of whisky and tramway car wheels along the track; all relics of a bygone era.
After about a kilometre, you'll reach the limestone quarry. You'll descend into the forest along the left-hand side of the quarry to the cave. You'll find a sign warning you that the cave is prone to flash floods and it's good to keep in mind that weather in Tasmania is precocious and unpredictable. This is why it is only safe to explore the first section of the cave. You'll be able to marvel at plenty of limestone formations, and, if you're lucky, you'll spot a few glowworms shimmering on the ceiling. The blue twinkling starlights are actually the hanging larvae of a mosquito-like insect and not a worm at all. Although the sticky, hanging and glowing threads do seem like worms to the naked eye. After searching for the elusive glowworm, it is time to return down the same tramway track.
Cockle Creek is as close to the edge of the world as most people ever get.
Sitting on beautiful Recherche Bay, on the fringe of the Tasmanian Wilderness World Heritage Area, it’s the literal end of the road and the southernmost point to which you can drive in Australia. Beyond here is only ocean and Antarctica.
Once a settlement of more than 2000 residents, it was also the site of four whaling stations, a bloody history that’s commemorated in a large bronze whale sculpture at Adams Point.
Cockle Creek is best known for its camping and as the departure point for walks into Southwest National Park.
The day hike to South Cape Bay is one of Tasmania’s 60 Great Short Walks, and emerges atop coastal cliffs peering out to South East Cape (Tasmania’s southernmost point) and along the wild south coast, where the epic 85km South Coast Track continues to the remote settlement of Melaleuca.
27 lokal ang nagrerekomenda
Cockle Creek
Cockle Creek is as close to the edge of the world as most people ever get.
Sitting on beautiful Recherche Bay, on the fringe of the Tasmanian Wilderness World Heritage Area, it’s the literal end of the road and the southernmost point to which you can drive in Australia. Beyond here is only ocean and Antarctica.
Once a settlement of more than 2000 residents, it was also the site of four whaling stations, a bloody history that’s commemorated in a large bronze whale sculpture at Adams Point.
Cockle Creek is best known for its camping and as the departure point for walks into Southwest National Park.
The day hike to South Cape Bay is one of Tasmania’s 60 Great Short Walks, and emerges atop coastal cliffs peering out to South East Cape (Tasmania’s southernmost point) and along the wild south coast, where the epic 85km South Coast Track continues to the remote settlement of Melaleuca.
Food scene
Great counter meals and a small shop for essentials and take-away - note shop closes 4.30pm in winter
10 lokal ang nagrerekomenda
Southport Hotel & Caravan Park
8777 Huon HwyGreat counter meals and a small shop for essentials and take-away - note shop closes 4.30pm in winter
Fantastic counter meals- huge Parma's and lobster - cold beers ad great views over Esperance Bay
12 lokal ang nagrerekomenda
Dover RSL Club
16 Chapman AveFantastic counter meals- huge Parma's and lobster - cold beers ad great views over Esperance Bay
Rivers Run Lodge and Tavern - good food and drink
https://www.riverrunlodge.com.au/eat-drink
Far South Wilderness Lodge
247 Narrows RoadRivers Run Lodge and Tavern - good food and drink
https://www.riverrunlodge.com.au/eat-drink
Dover Golf Club
81 Cemetery RoadGreat little restaurant for counter meals and great priced cold drinks
IGA crocery store in Dover- last place to buy groceries before you get to our place - decent range of local meats and produce along with staples
IGA X-Press Dover
1 Station RdIGA crocery store in Dover- last place to buy groceries before you get to our place - decent range of local meats and produce along with staples