Leadership Through Adventure Fund 

Training, Equipment, and Risk Management

Caving in Tasmania demands serious preparation. Before departure, the team undertook extensive training in vertical ropework (OAS Vertical – Caving Level 5), navigation in confined spaces, and minimal impact techniques. Skills like Single Rope Technique (SRT), abseiling with self-belay, managing rebelays, belaying others, and rope rigging were practiced intensively at Car Crash Quarry and Corra Lynn Cave in South Australia.

Tasmania’s caves are cold, wet, and unforgiving. Hypothermia was a serious risk, requiring extra precautions like wetsuits, thermals, and specialised Cordura caving coveralls, durable gear sourced from Aspiring Safety and included in the trip’s costs. The team also ensured all members were registered with both CEGSA (Cave Exploration Group of SA) and SCG (Scout Caving Group) to access sensitive cave zones under Australian Speleological Federation regulations.

The Journey Begins

The team left Adelaide on 28 September, traveling by road and ferry before arriving at their basecamp, Caveside Community Hall by midday on the 29th. With gear sorted, spirits high, and new coveralls ready, it was time to descend below the surface.

To protect fragile ecosystems and move more efficiently, the group split into three smaller teams, each guided by qualified caving leaders. The adventure started with more accessible caves to acclimatise before progressing into complex vertical and restricted-access caves.

Sassafrass Cave was first on the list, entered from the outflow due to a flooded inflow passage. Here, glowworms and Tasmanian cave spiders lit up the darkness, and cavers navigated between “clean” and “dirty” zones thanks to boot-washing protocols.

Baldocks Cave revealed echoes of early tourism, with glittering calcite crystals and delicate straws lining the walls. Honeycomb Cave, true to its name, offered a labyrinth of tunnels, freezing water, and laughter-filled challenges — like Corra Lynn’s tougher, wetter cousin.

Westmorland Cave introduced vertical elements, though thick mud made it a slow, strenuous descent. Horries Hole followed, where a 100m rope covered the cave’s main pitches, though, to some disappointment, the rebelay training wasn’t needed.

One of the most rewarding aspects of the trip was access to three highly protected caves. Croesus, Lynds, and Tailender, all requiring ASF membership. These caves offered spectacular formations and delicate streamways, navigated under the guidance of local expert David Butler.

• Croesus Cave stole the show with gour pools and awe-inspiring decoration.
• Lynds Cave, flowing into the Mersey River, featured massive galleries and glistening flowstone.
• Tailender Cave challenged participants with a tight crawl, a deceptive squeeze, and a dramatic 14m pitch — before opening into breathtakingly decorated chambers.

Beyond the underground, the group also visited King Solomon’s Cave, Marakoopa Cave, and other local sites. On their designated rest day, Venturer Colby Ind led a spontaneous hike at Cradle Mountain, motivated by a deep personal goal to see the peak and, to the delight of all, snow.

The weather throughout was extraordinarily kind for Tasmania, with clear skies and cool, stable conditions, a rare and welcome gift for cavers.

This expedition was a youth-led initiative, with Venturers not just participating but actively planning, training, and coordinating the adventure. From permits and insurance to logistics, gear, and risk assessments, every detail mattered. The support of Deb Hunter from Wild Cave Tours was instrumental, providing vital local insight, while caving leaders Mark Corbett, Minky Cockshell, and Matt Gray brought safety and experience to the field.