Tahune Airwalk & Hastings Cave

Walk through treetops, relax in thermal pools and explore a 40 million year old cave system. Sitting 50 metres above the Huon River, the Tahune Airwalk is a fun and thrilling adventure walk through the forest canopy. After enjoying a bird’s eye view of the world, we then head underground to explore the mysterious Hastings Caves - a labyrinth of caves beneath the forests of southern Tasmania.

We travel through the Huon Valley, following the Huon River and passing farmlands and fruit orchards, all set against the backdrop of the World Heritage Wilderness Area.

Our first adventure today is to explore the walks at Tahune Forest Adventures. We begin with a gentle uphill walk, ascending 104 stairs through the forest to reach the Airwalk. This steel walkway extends 619 metres through the treetops and ends at a sensational viewing platform, perched 50 metres above the Huon River. Enjoy the unique sensation of being suspended high in the forest canopy, with breathtaking views across the treetops and the surrounding wilderness.

For keen walkers, we continue our circuit walk at ground level.  The Swinging Bridges Track takes us across the Huon River via a 100-metre suspension bridge — a thrilling experience and a fantastic spot for some fun photos. A short forest walk then leads us to a second bridge, spanning 60 metres across the Picton River.

For a gentler experience, you may prefer the Huon Pine Walk — a peaceful riverside trail that features the world’s most accessible stand of endemic Huon Pine trees. These ancient, slow-growing trees are unique to Tasmania, with some stands estimated to be up to 2,500 years old.

From there we travel to Hastings Caves for a chilled lunch, a warm dip in 28°C thermal pool, and the Hot Springs Nature Trail… before going underground. A Parks & Wildlife guide will lead you through Tassie’s most famous cave, Newdegate Cave, a dramatic dolerite cathedral decorated with stalactites, stalagmites and flowstone formed 40 million years ago.  The cave maintains a constant temperature of 9°C, so don’t forget to bring a jumper. The chambers are spacious with no tight squeezes, but there are many stairs to navigate. Along the way, your guide will share the cave’s fascinating history, geology, unique fauna, and its truly impressive natural formations.

On our return to Hobart, there's an opportunity to stop at local roadside stalls and pick up some delicious regional produce — including cherries, berries, and apples.

Please note that fruit and produce stops are seasonal and may vary depending on the time of year and the operating hours of individual stallholders.

We return to Hobart city around 5.30pm.

Departs:    Hobart 7.30 am
Returns:    Hobart around 5.30 pm
Days:        Monday and Thursday

General Meet Point: 7.25am – Tasmanian Travel & Information Centre, 20 Davey Street, Hobart

Highlights

• Visit Tahune Adventures

• Tahune Airwalk - Walk through the treetops 50m above the ground

• Walk above the river on the Swinging Bridges track

• Huon Pine walk – an easy riverside stroll with the rare Huon Pines

• Visit Hastings Caves State Reserve

• Enjoy the guided Cave Tour, 40 m below the ground

• Swim in the Thermal Springs swimming pool

• Test the water temperatures on the Hot Springs Nature Track

• Drive the Huon Valley and discover Tasmania’s diverse Apple growing history

• Enjoy seasonal roadside stops – Apples, Cherries, Berries 

Inclusions

• Tahune Airwalk entrance fees

• National Park entrance fees

• Hastings Caves & Thermal Springs Pool fees

• Guided Tour of Hastings Caves 

• Professional guides and interpretive walks 

• Small, friendly groups

• Central Hobart Hotel & Backpacker Hostel pick up and drop off

Exclusions

• Food and drinks - you will have an opportunity to stop enroute to our destinations in Southern Tasmania.  You can purchase lunch/snacks to take along with you for your tour day.  This stop is in a regional town at a local bakery. The selection includes sandwiches, rolls, wraps etc.  If you have special dietary requirements or prefer other choices, you may wish to come prepared with your own food of choice.

What to bring/wear

• A day backpack

• Refillable water bottle

• Closed, sturdy shoes for walking (runners, sneakers, hiking boots)

• Sensible clothes for outdoor conditions (warm layers are a great idea!)

• A waterproof jacket, just in case.

• A sunhat and beanie

• A sense of adventure!

• Optional: Swimmers and a towel. There’s an opportunity for a refreshing dip in the thermal   pool at Hastings caves.

Special considerations 

Our tours are active and visit National Parks and wild areas that involve some walking. We focus on the great short walks of Tasmania.  Although most of the walks are classified as easy, a suitable level of general health & fitness and physical abilities is essential.  All tour participants will be participating in outdoor, active activities and therefore subject to the outdoor weather conditions of the day.

We educate all our guests on Minimal Impact Bushwalking and the Leave No Trace policy’s before entering our National Parks. We provide accurate interpretation, and keep wildlife disturbance to a minimum by viewing from appropriate distances and informing our guests how to view wildlife with patience and respect. Activities are always confined to tracks and boardwalks to minimise negative impacts.