Clifden Limestone Caves

Coordinates: 46°1′6″S 167°44′27″E / 46.01833°S 167.74083°E / -46.01833; 167.74083

Clifden Caves

Location of Clifden Cave System on the South Island of New Zealand.

The Clifden Limestone Cave System is located in the Western Southland Region of New Zealand close to the hamlet of Clifden on private land.^[1]

Geology

The cave is formed in Miocene (c. 22–18 million years ago) limestone created from the accumulation of shell fragments, sand and pebbles in the Epeiric Zealandia sea, and is a solutional cave.

Ecology

Glow worms or titiwai (Arachnocampa luminosa) find a natural habitat in the Clifden Cave System because of the damp environment with little or no wind.^[2]

Recreation

The cave system runs about 300 metres (980 ft) long and a marked through route with fixed ladders is available for properly equipped people who wish to experience caving, and other passages are accessible for experienced cavers.^[2]

References

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