Thurs, 11th Dec, 2014 Wet Caves Reserve, Caveside (exploring caves)

Sunny morning, 14.9 degrees at 8am. Worked on my blog as I have lots of photos to sort etc. Clouds back again by 10am so put the generator on to boost the batteries. After a cuppa we headed off with headlamps on to explore the Wet Caves. Great exploring in and out of the few entrances these caves have. The river runs through then further underground then we find it through a crack in another section. It must be 9 degrees or colder here as we are doing the smoky breath thing. Will bring the thermometer back later. Not the limestone features of the others but there are some formations worthy of a photo. Lots of logs etc jammed into the caves. One huge one way down the back of one cave that didn’t have any water in it now. Climbed back out at the first entrance we saw.

Water droplets just hanging off the roof.

River stone stuck in sediment which the river slowly washes away to make the caves.

 Limestone?

Wandered back to the van. 

In the grass beside us are some star pickets marking a couple of sink holes. Have to watch where we walk. 

We have a lovely area beside our camp where the mountain comes down to the river and it covered with ferns. Might see a platypus later. Followed an old track beside the river. Lovely, clear water – some narrow and rapids and others wide and still where it goes under the mountain into a cavern. Fascinating area.

Sun back out which is nice and warming as the breeze is quite cool.

I worked on my blog – too many photos again. An Italian chap wandered up asking about the caves so Steve “the tour guide” told him about it. He didn’t have a torch so Steve wandered down with his head lamp which he was grateful for but he asked whether Steve was coming down with him too. Steve in his thongs (and the guy was too) headed back into the cave. The chap had been backpacking around and had worked at a pineapple farm at Rollingstone. He loved the caves and climbed into a deep hole they found where the water runs through. He disappeared into a tunnel then reappeared up higher around the other side. Thanks Steve and he and his girl (asleep in the car) went on their way. Whirl wind tour of Tassie by the sounds of it. He had just done the 2hr hike to Westmorland Falls which he said was worth it.

Steve came back and we headed down so he could show me what he found. Amazing to see what the river has done underground. There are caves going off in all directions and some nice formations too. This log was jammed at the back of a cave.

 The limestone walls where the creek used to run, like the ones at Marakoopa.

Just as good limestone formations here.

The thermometer said 11.3 degrees, 10.5 when I stuck it in the water.

This one looks like a wig.

Looking up to the ceiling.

This is where the Italian climbed down into and disappeared into a cave at the back then reappeared on the left on a high ridge.

The river flows through the bottom of it.

Got the fire going early as the clouds are looking heavy again as Steve was cooking in his bush cooker tonight. Enjoyed the fire but the little bugs were buzzing around which was a bit annoying.

Back to the van. Eventually when it got dark enough!!! My solar powered Christmas fairy lights came on. Bit of a waste as we were inside but I could see them through the window as I had them hanging from the edge of the awning. They are just little bulbs so will be able to use them all year round.