Cave Stream

Cave Stream is free NZ adventure as its finest…but sadly an adventure that most travelers miss out on because it’s not promoted very well by DOC and travelers show up u n p r e p a r e d . Don’t miss out… READ ON! Cave stream is a fabulous all-ages adventure! Don your water shoes, shorts or pants to get wet in, maybe a long-sleeve top and hat if you’re the chilly sort, and a head lamp and additional torch….then off you go into the circular cave opening for a 30-45 minute splashing underground jaunt through the amazing limestone bowels of our fun-loving earth! Oh yeah, you’ll get wet—mostly just knee-deep, but the first pool in the cave will gauge your shrinkage reaction with a crotch-deep section. This is an adventure…it’s rugged and sometimes uncertain footing, it’s DARK, it’s chilly…and it is way-memorable fun!! (I’ve seen both kids and grandmas do it…Go for it!)

Most travelers show up a bit unprepared, as DOC does a lousy time preparing you ahead of time. That’s what this book is for—to help you prepare so that you can make the best adventure out of your travels! Arriving at the Cave Stream carpark you’ll be greeted with a DOC sign advising you to wear heaps, string the torch on your neck…and beware! This is all solid info, but DOC has to advise as if you may arrive there any time of the year. In summertime this cave adventure isn’t nearly as dire as the signs may suggest. Still though, beware that big local rains will swell this stream into scary proportions. If the first pool is crotch-deep, then all is well and you’ll be fine, even in shorts and a t-shirt. If it’s been raining and brown unclear water is surging from the cave opening, then duh, don’t go in!!

Headlamps are best because you’ll be climbing a bit and always using your hands to steady yourself against the walls. At the start of the cave you’ll think your dim headlamp won’t be enough, but once your eyes adjust after 3 minutes… you’ll be fine. Flash photos work great inside the cave, so go ahead and bring your small camera in a backpack (maybe wrap it in a plastic bag).

TRAMP: Walk downhill to the downstream cave opening (it’s best to go upstream within the cave). On with the lights and in you go! At the very end there is a deepish pool then a series of metal rungs to climb out of the pool and above the waterfall that ends the adventure. Atop the rungs you’ll then crawl under an overhang and back out into the light.