Clifden Cave

The Clifden Cave is probably the South Island’s least-known public cave adventure. It seems that this cave is a casualty of NZ’s morecommercialized modern “beaten” tourist path. Clifden, as the plaque at the entrance describes, was a popular stop for tourists dating back to the 1890s. Nowadays though, given its free and uncommercialized nature, the cave has fallen “off the map”…literally. Clifden (or Waiau) Cave is rarely highlighted on typical NZ map guides, and though the cave is featured in a DOC brochure, the brochure is almost impossible to find except at the Te Anau VisCtr. Thanks for getting my book…hope you’re having fun!

So, Clifden Cave is a fun underground adventure, similar to Cave Stream’s excursion (B8). What makes this cave unique is that it makes an underground loop as you clamber, 300m between entrance and exit. The cave is difficult, but no more so than the typical Kiwi tramping route. It does require ducking, crouching, and a wee bit of crawl and climb here and there, but mostly you simply walk the labyrinthine passages. The route through the cave is clearly marked by DOC arrows. The cave does drip and there are puddles and mud. You will get dirty hands, knees, elbows, and bum. Expect about an hour underground. It’s chilly in the cave, so wear long pants, long sleeves, water shoes/ sandals and maybe a winter hat. Two lights are minimum (if your lights die in this cave, you’ll die with them—bring extra lights!)! (!)

For cave-loving folks, this cave delivers! Each step gets better and better. You’ll see signatures galore from centuries past as well as all the limestone cave goodies—stalactites and stalagmites, flowstone and “bacon”, soda straws, angel wings, and even a helictite or two. Sadly, the pioneers laid waste to the original delicacies of Clifden Cave, but there’s still enough to awe. I won’t say any more to ruin the surprises…but you will be SURPRISED! This is a fun caving adventure full of unexpected twists and turns! For folks who don’t like caves, then just skip this one, as there’s nothing impressive to see at the entrance except a plaque detailing the cave’s historic significance.

Photography in the cave is fairly easy, but carrying a good camera and tripod isn’t easy. A backpack will be a curse in the tight passages. A small pocket flash camera is best. Did I tell you about the waterfall and the pool? Oops, I’ll shut up…if you’re an adventurer, don’t miss this one! squeeze, climb, and splash a route through this cave’s wonderful labyrinth. I won’t ruin the surprise of this cave for you by telling every detail…I just hope to excite you enough that you’ll stop for a 90-120- minute adventure and be prepared. The cave entrance and exit are only 300m apart, directly on the paved road…but you’ll have to travel about a mile under-ground to cover the