Underwater Stream Cave Adventure

Leaving the light in the cave..... A short trail goes north to the upstream entrance, through a limestone landscape of solution holes, rillenkarren (water grooved rocks) and sculptured rock formations.If you want to do this, be prepared!
You need to take...

• One torch per person, plus spare batteries. You may want to tie it around your neck so your hands are free.
• Warm tops (wool or propylene is best).
• Shorts or long-johns (wool or propylene). Jeans are dangerous!
• Strong, secure footwear. Running shoes are good.
• Have clothing to change into when you finish.

  WARNING: Do not attempt to enter if the stream is high, with the water discolored or foaming.

 

No Joke! The cave passage meanders and twists in pitch darkness for 362 meters between the two entrances. The cave ends in a deep pool with a 3-meter high waterfall.

Heading into Cave.....the water was deep right away

John and Alex ready for an adventure....Alex lead the way like all backpacks and hikes.

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Ellie ready to go through the hole

 Jen with a wild look in her eye climbing through tight spot

Gorgeous color of stream water

 Ellie loved this adventure the most! She was singing out-loud the whole time enjoying the echo!
After ladder, Ellie uses metal step to get through a tight area. The iron rungs in the rock climbs up beside the waterfall and a chain and step help the crawl along the overhang ledge to the exit.

 Finally the light of day!!!

End of the Stream Cave!

History

Evidence of Maori occupation in the Cave Stream area includes rock-art, artifacts and signs of seasonal camps.
On the ridge above the reserve an old Maori backpack was found in a small rock shelter. It is made from flax, with a wooden frame, and has broad straps. Intricately woven flax over the frame could stretch in both directions to accommodate the pack’s contents. Finding this pack confirmed traditional knowledge that Maori used packs, similar to the modern day pack, for carrying loads. The pack is estimated to be 500 years old and can be seen in the Canterbury Museum. http://www.castlehill.net.nz/castlehill/cavestream/cavestream.htm#Going%20Through%20The%20Cave