Ngarua Caves
After a blaze decimated the surrounding forest, bushmen discovered Ngarua Cave by clearing the mountainside of vegetation. The cave was first visited by horse-drawn carriage. The cave was closed for several years after visitors destroyed and removed stalactites and wrote their names on the formations. However, it can't be denied that Ngarua Caves is one of the most beautiful caves in New Zealand.
The cave's most recent addition is a second entrance, which allows one-way excursions through the cave. Several remains of New Zealand's iconic birds were discovered in the cave. On exhibit is a Moa skeleton in its entirety.
There is a so-called touch zone since people tend to touch speleothems, even if the guide instructs them not to. Visitors are allowed to touch a small portion of a limestone formation. We think that's a great concept, because people need to touch things in order to grasp them. The damage to the fragile speleothems is thus limited to a particular location.
The stain of the location also reveals what happens when individuals come into contact with stalagmites.The Lord of the Rings movie featured Takaka Hill as a setting. Chetwood Forest is situated in a distinctive marble karst forest.
Location: Main Road, Takaka Hill, SH 60, Motueka (towards Golden Bay), New Zealand
Opening time: 10:00–15:00
Prices: $10 - $25
