Meet the site
Kubla Khan at Mole Creek is Tasmania's most famous decorated cave and one of only three limited-access caves in the state's parks, alongside Exit Cave and Khazad-Dum. At its end, a sump connects the cave to an underground river resurgence about 1.6 km away. A history published by cave divers describes a 1.1 km flooded passage containing three siphons of about 500 m, 120 m and 40 m (varying with water levels), extremely poor to zero visibility with heavy silting, and intensely cold water.
The sump has a long diving history. Bill Kunert, Glyn Davies and Michael Tobias made the first Tasmanian cave dive here in 1959; later teams returned in 1965, 1974 and 1978, when Ron Allum, Phil Prust and Peter Stace completed the connection, with further dives in 1983 and 1998. The account describes the sump as cold, dark and inhospitable, with narrow restrictions, line entanglement and silt-out disorientation, and several rescue situations.
Access to Kubla Khan requires membership of an ASF-affiliated caving club, a Parks permit and an official leader, and the sump is a serious technical cave dive. Other Tasmanian caves (Junee, Exit Cave, Mole Creek's Wet Cave) are either closed to divers, restricted by landowners or confined to expedition cave diving.
For recreational divers, the best way to see Mole Creek's karst is on the guided tours of Marakoopa and King Solomons caves, which show the glow-worms and formations that make the area famous. Honeycomb Cave, which needs no permit, is the usual introduction to Mole Creek caving for club members.
Research this site before booking Stored site notes may be historical. These questions highlight gaps without turning old instructions into a current dive plan.
Kubla Khan Cave Sump (Mole Creek) is recorded as Cave/Cavern in Tasmania Freshwater & Caves. The listed access is shore. Confirm the actual meeting point, route and permission to visit; a map pin does not establish any of these.
Topics flagged by the stored research
These are questions prompted by the existing notes, not a verified or complete hazard assessment.
- Lines and obstructions
- Discuss any known entanglement concerns and the suitability of the planned area.
- Overhead environments
- Ask whether the plan stays entirely in open water. A wreck or cave listing is not permission or training to enter.
Historical access notes exist for this record, but have not been independently verified for current use. Request current directions from the operator or site manager rather than following an old entry description.
Questions, answered
Is Kubla Khan Cave Sump (Mole Creek) suitable for my certification?
The record lists Cave/Cavern certification. That does not establish suitability for every route or day. Share your training, recent experience and equipment needs with the operator and ask about the specific proposed dive.
Can I book Kubla Khan Cave Sump (Mole Creek) through YouDive?
YouDive is an independent research directory. Contact an operator directly to confirm whether it currently runs the trip, the inclusions and the booking terms.
What you might see
Cave fauna (not a wildlife dive)
Location
The flooded sump at the end of Kubla Khan Cave in Mole Creek Karst National Park, a 1.1 km passage with three siphons connecting to a resurgence - cave divers only, via a restricted-access cave.
Facilities nearby
None at the cave. Mole Creek: store, hotel, caravan park.
Before you make plans
Conditions, access and operator schedules can change. This is a location guide, not a dive plan. Ask a local operator about current conditions and suitability for your training and experience.
Sources & further reading
cavediving.net.auparks.tas.gov.auunder-victoria.comRecord updated 26 Sept 2026. Source claims are being reviewed.