Punakaiki Cavern — Attraction in South Island

This cave entrance is at the edge of the main road, and there are no road signs before the location, so use maps. There is limited parking on the other side of the road close to the beach.

There are two entrances to the cave, one via the stairs and the other one across the garden. It's a short cave as seen from the first entrance and widens and even has an upper level and a lower level when you go inside. Best to carry a torch to see around. Second entrance is connected to the first one via a common passage.

It's cool inside, and very narrow in certain passages as you go further down. There is a small stream of water coming down in the middle of the cave.

Kids liked the place and wanted to explore further down. But without guidance we felt it was a bit risky to go further.

Would have been nice if there was guidance. No entry...

Cute little cave. Wear footwear with good grip as wet slippery rocks. Bring torches for each person (phone torch isn’t enough). Turn off torches when at back of cave, look up and see the glowworms (you will find them in the wet areas of the cave). When you go through the main entrance at the top of the stairs, go up and turn left and this will take you to the furthest place back. If you get claustrophobic…don’t go. If you love exploring caves…this is small but neat nonetheless. Parking: 6 or so parks on road beside the entrance. Otherwise park at the Pancakes rocks public parking lot and walk...

What a. Awesome and FREE place to go visit. I. Quite claustrophobic but for some reason because I wasn't as far in I felt ok. Theres a few road side reflective stands inside that are used as the "loop" trail markers. Definitely watch your footing as it's quite wet and slippery, and watch your head because it's a short cave in a lot of parts. Try not to brush up against anything, or you will have bright orange colored sand spots all over you, which are hard to get off unless you wash...