These caves in Southland are a cool spot to explore if you're up for some adventure. You can check out stalactites, glow worms, and limestone formations in this cave system.
Clifden Caves offer a 1 km limestone passage filled with stalactites, glow worms, and narrow tunnels. The route typically takes 1.5 to 2 hours to complete and is best suited for fit, agile adventurers aged 12 and up. The cave system includes tight squeezes, cold water pools, and three 4-meter ladders. Entry is free.
Tip:
There are glow worms appearing after the 50m mark, but most of them are after around the 95m mark.
(fyi: there are signs which show how many meters you are into the cave)
Important:
Do not enter the caves if rain is forecast, currently raining, or has rained in the past 24 hours, as the system is prone to flash flooding. Essential gear includes two torches per person (headlamp and handheld), spare batteries, a helmet, warm non-cotton clothing, sturdy footwear, and a first aid kit. Mobile reception is unavailable inside; always inform someone of your plans before entering.
Reviews:
"Awesome Cave, you will get wet, you will get dirty. Don’t be afraid of heights or narrow rooms. Not wheelchair accessible. Overall a rock solid cave but bad reception. It’s very dark inside so bring some spare candles. I lost my matches inside so please return when you find them. I liked the cave. You should go. It’s worth getting dirty." - Jan, January '26
“A real adventure! The glow worms were magical, and the formations inside are stunning. Definitely not for the claustrophobic.” - Jamie, April 2025, AllTrails
“Challenging but rewarding. The ladders and narrow passages add to the excitement. Make sure to bring proper gear and check the weather.” - Alex, March 2025, Google Reviews
'A great little side-quest if you’re travelling through Southland. We visited the Clifden Caves while driving back from Invercargill and really enjoyed it. The cave system is short (under 600 m) and takes about 30 minutes to complete, following reflective markers through the route. Once you get past the first few turns it’s completely dark, so a proper headlamp or torch is essential. There are a few narrow sections and some short crawls, but overall it’s very manageable if you’re reasonably mobile and take your time. Towards the end you’ll encounter cold water pools. You can edge around the first and deepest one, but you’ll still be in water almost up to your knees. The main “swimming pool” section is less than 10 m across, so you can swim it if you’re keen, but it’s not high risk. After the pools, a couple of ladders take you up and out of the cave, followed by an easy 600 m walk back to the car. This isn’t for everyone, but if you have an adventurous spirit, the right attitude, and a bit of spare time, it’s well worth doing. Proper caving gear is recommended (helmet, headlamp, suitable clothing), though it can be done safely with the basics and some care. Having a towel and dry clothes in the car afterwards is a very good idea.' - Anton, Jan '26
Handy Sites:
http://www.doc.govt.nz/parks-and-recreation/places-to-go/southland/places/clifden-caves/
https://www.geotrips.org.nz/trip.html?id=402
https://aliceadventuring.com/clifden-caves/
https://southlandnz.com/listing/clifden-caves/573/
https://www.tripadvisor.co.nz/Attraction_Review-g15558035-d10188804-Reviews-Clifden_Caves-Eastern_Bush_Murihiku_Southland_South_Island.html
https://www.weseektravel.com/clifden-caves-new-zealand/
https://www.stokedforsaturday.com/2014/04/exploring-clifden-caves/
Videos:
www.tiktok.com/@tygger/video/7461480628131777799
www.tiktok.com/@des_chatons_et_des_kiwis/video/7310159996036107553
