Clifden Caves
The Clifden Caves are a free, self-guided limestone cave system full of glow-worms, stalactites and underground streams.
Bring sturdy shoes, a good torch and a sense of adventure — it's one of Southland's hidden gems.
Don't judge them by the entrances. From the road they look like little more than a crack in the hillside, but inside they open out into a genuine maze of passages — decorated chambers, a swimming hole, ladder-assisted drops and far more cave than most first-timers expect.
“It's like a TARDIS cave — so much bigger on the inside.”— a Rarakau guest
Getting There & What to Bring
The caves are on State Highway 99 at Clifden, about 16 km north of Tuatapere — signposted from the road, with parking right beside the entrance. Access is over a stile and across private farmland, so please stick to the marked route and respect the land.
Bring a head torch (essential — there's no lighting inside), sturdy footwear you don't mind getting wet, and a helmet if you have one. Expect a couple of short ladder climbs, a deep pool to wade or swim past, and a few tight squeezes — DOC recommends the caves for ages 12 and up, with no caving experience required.
Photos courtesy of friends of Rarakau Lodge, and DOC. Glow-worm photo by Ian Fox (CC0), via Wikimedia Commons.