By Caroline Carter, Ranger – Community Relations, Te Anau.

It is a rainy weekend – but it can’t be raining underground – so we grab some friends which include two geologists, two cave guiders, three five year olds and a couple of nervous mums and head to Clifden Caves!

At the entrance to Clifden Caves

This experience blows your mind! It’s amazing in there.

The Clifden Caves provide a natural habitat for the glow worm

We are fully equipped and made sure we have given our intentions to our families before heading off.

We were fully equipped for cave exploring.

The Clifden Caves are one of only a few cave systems in Southland. The DOC reflector triangles help guide our way. There are places to crawl, pools of water to walk around, and luckily two ladders to assist with an assent and descent.

Exploring the cave

It’s amazing – a challenge – but the kids loved it and we will definitely be going back again.

After the great exploration

Why not go explore Clifden Caves for yourself? You can find out more on the DOC website.