Clifden Limestone Caves

Clifden Limestone Caves form a system of interconnected chambers in Western Southland, extending roughly 300 meters through passages and rooms within Miocene limestone. Multiple openings and narrow corridors create a complex underground network shaped by water erosion over millions of years.

The limestone formed during the Miocene period, between 22 and 18 million years ago, from shell deposits that accumulated in a shallow ancient sea. Flowing water gradually carved out the passages and chambers visible today.

These caves hold meaning for Maori people as part of their ancestral history and connection to the land. Visitors passing through the passages can sense this cultural attachment to the natural formations.

Bring two torches per person, as the cave offers no natural light once you move past the entrance. Always check weather forecasts before your visit, since heavy rain can cause sudden water flow through the passages.

The cave walls host glowworms that produce their own light through bioluminescence, creating a natural light display in the darkness. This rare phenomenon becomes visible as you move through the passages, revealing tiny illuminated spots scattered across the rocks.