Harwoods Hole, Natural limestone cave in Abel Tasman National Park, New Zealand.
Harwoods Hole is a deep limestone cave in Abel Tasman National Park with a wide entrance shaft opening in Takaka Hill. The vertical passage descends steeply into a complex underground system that gathers water from a large surrounding area.
The first systematic exploration happened in 1958 when local cavers examined the shaft depth using basic equipment. This early effort marked the start of modern cave research in New Zealand.
The cave holds importance for geologists and cave explorers in New Zealand who study how underground water shapes limestone formations. Visitors can see the calcium deposits and water marks that reveal how the cave developed over many centuries.
Access requires extensive cave experience, specialized climbing and rappelling gear, and several hours to explore fully. Visitors should come with a guide and be comfortable with vertical climbing techniques.
The cave system collects water from a wide surrounding area through multiple sinkholes, causing continuous calcite deposits to form. This ongoing water circulation makes it an active geological laboratory that is still growing today.
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