Gunns Plains is a farming district south of Ulverstone where the Leven River passes through a broad valley. Limestone beneath the pasture holds caves, sinkholes and underground streams, including one of Tasmania’s long-running public show caves.
The cave is entered only on a guided tour
Gunns Plains Cave contains flowstone, calcite shawls, glow-worms and a flowing underground river. Parks Tasmania says the reserve was proclaimed in 1918, making it one of the state’s earliest cave reserves.
Access has physical limits
The tour route is about 275 metres and begins with a steep flight of stairs. A short ladder is also part of the route. The operator advises that the tour is unsuitable for some people with health or mobility concerns. Confirm times, prices and closures directly because flooding can affect operations.
The valley is more than the cave
Red basalt soils support farms above parts of the limestone system. The Leven River, surrounding forest and route towards Leven Canyon create a broader landscape, but roads are narrow and wildlife is active around dusk.
Wildlife in the cave and river includes specialised invertebrates and may include platypus or giant freshwater crayfish. Sightings are never guaranteed, and animals must not be disturbed. Compare the experience with Tasmania’s cave guide, then continue to Ulverstone or the Central Coast hinterland.