Access

The reserve is signposted 27.5 km from Waitomo. There’s a small parking area with picnic tables.

Track

The stepped track climbs and descends to a bluff at the cave entrance. A stepped structure then descends into the bowels of the carpacious cavern. Take a torch. It’s cold, wet and dark inside.

Return via the same track.

Geology

Caves such as this are formed like other limestone caves. The limestone here, as elsewhere, is the compacted remains of a reef system which once lay in shallow warm waters. Subsequent tectonic uplift has resurfaced the rock, which is mainly composed of calcareous matter, derived from the shellfish, fish and coral organisms. Limestone is susceptible to dissolving once water passing through it has an acid makeup, usually derived from absorption of carbon dioxide in the atmosphere. This percolating groundwater decomposes the limestone, creating fissures and cracks streams can later exploit to form cave systems.

Speleothems are formed from the dissolved calcite being deposited as it drips from the cave roof. The carbon dioxide dissolved in the water is released to the cave atmosphere and the increased calcium load is precipitated onto the cave walls and ceilings. These processes give rise to the amazing subterranean artwork on display. Straws, stalactites and stalagmites drip from the cavern ceiling.