This will hurt me...

Henry and Ezra moments before the begin their descent into the cold, menacing belly of the Earth.

Looking down! Hastings Cave, Huon Valley. June 2011. Also, when in a cave, don't forget to look down ! Whose feet? Hastings Cave, Huon Valley. June 2011.

Croquembouche? Hastings Cave, Huon Valley. June 2011. Like most caves, there are a bunch of odd animals. Over forty species live in the cave, allegedly . I'd like to taste it. Hastings Cave, Huon Valley. June 2011. Troglodytes,

Melting moments. Hastings Cave, Huon Valley. June 2011. Now these caves started to form around forty million years ago, but seemed to be unseen until 1917, when forest workers knocked down a bloody great big tree and knocked a great big hole in the ground to reveal an entrance. As usual, they named the bugger after the governor of the time who never bothered to visit. Mud from the mid-1960s. Hastings Cave, Huon Valley. June 2011. The cave itself is a decent size with a bit of light. There are a bunch of stairs that can get pretty steep, but Ezra managed to them just fine. Formed in dolomite, this cave is a bit different from the usual limestone around these parts. Despite being the middle of winter, underground is pretty nice, with the temperature a comfortable nine degrees Celsius.

Stalactites? We've got a few... Hastings Cave, Huon Valley. June 2011. Hastings Caves - deep down in the south of Tasmania - was our destination last Saturday. Henry was initially reticent, but once assured that there are no bears in this state (koala's included), he ventured into the subterranean depths... Stalagmites? Them too... Hastings Cave, Huon Valley. June 2011. Newdegate Cave is the largest of the Hastings set. in terms of a cavern, it's a big-un! As today is my last day of freedom, we're heading to the east coast for the beach. Don't fret, because I have plenty of cave pics to savour through the day. Spooky? Absolutely! Hastings Cave, Huon Valley. June 2011. We spent an hour in Newdegate's massive and varied cavern. Everywhere you turn there's something to look at: flowstone, stalactites, columns, shawls, straws, stalagmites and the unusual helictites that grow in all directions!