The Insider's Guide to New Zealand
BE Prepared
If you're doing the full cave walk, avoid an unpleasant experience by planning ahead. Tourists have been known to wander, gung-ho, into the cave on a hot summer's day and soon bitterly regret their lack of warm clothing. Every caver needs their own headlamp or torch, plus a spare for every person (check the batteries) and very warm clothing – wetsuits recommended. Go against the flow (enter at the outflow end), be prepared to climb a 3m rung ladder beside a waterfall and use a chain and steps along an overhang and to cross a waist-deep stream in 10°C temperatures. Wear a helmet and sturdy boots and check the weather forecast for signs of heavy rain in the surrounding hills before entering. Don't enter if the water is discoloured. Do not take young children.