This is a full-day experience!
Starting from early in the morning and finishing when the sun goes down.
 
From the caves, a 1 km walk leads you through a picturesque karst limestone landscape across farmland and regenerating bush to a point where you can take in the magnificent views. Within the entrance to the caves themselves, you will find stalactites, stalagmites and glow worms.
 
Know before you go
 
The caves are wet and slippery inside. The inner cave area is suitable for experienced cavers only. A torch and suitable footwear are necessary.
Sinkholes are a common feature of karst landscapes.
Stay on track and closely supervise small children.
Although classed as a Walking Track, the track is not always well formed.
The track is wet, muddy and slippery at times. 
It is suitable for people of most ages and fitness levels.
 
Nature and conservation
 
The Waipu Caves area features a karst/limestone landscape and weathered rocks. The term "karst" refers to a type of topography that is formed over limestone, dolomite or gypsum by the solution of the rock and is characterised by closed depressions or sinkholes, caves and underground drainage.
 
The natural heritage values of karst areas are high as karst surface landforms provide a variety of habitats for plant species that are restricted to or favour growing on calcareous soils. They also provide refuges for species that were once more widely spread throughout the landscape. Caves provide habitats or shelter for a range of animal species with varying degrees of reliance on or adaptation to dark, cool, moist conditions with low daily variability.
Karst landscapes are of particular significance to Maori, which is enshrined in the tikanga and kawa (sacred customs and ceremonies) of those with the whakapapa to talk about them. Karst areas are important sites for geological, geomorphological, palaeontological, and climatological studies.
Bones of bats, birds, amphibians, and reptiles are commonly found in caves. Some caves also contain remains of fossil invertebrates, often of previously unknown or locally extinct species.
 
THIS IS A PERSONALISED AND PRIVATE SERVICE.
MIN 1 – MAX 3 persons at the same time.
Price per passenger.
Invite friends and pay less!