Caving in New Zealand facts for kids
Caving in New Zealand is a fun hobby and also a popular tourist activity! It involves exploring natural underground spaces called caves. Many people enjoy caving, from those who do it for sport to thousands of visitors who go on guided tours each year.
New Zealand has many amazing limestone caves, especially in the Waitomo District on the North Island and the Nelson-Tasman area on the South Island. These areas are famous for their unique "karst" landscapes, which are shaped by water dissolving rock over time, creating caves.
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The Story of Caving in New Zealand
How it Started
Exploring caves as a sport in New Zealand really began in the 1940s. A group of people from Auckland started by exploring lava caves found in old volcanoes near their city. Soon, they moved on to bigger caves in the Waikato and King Country regions.
In 1949, a group of cave explorers formed the New Zealand Speleological Society (NZSS). This society helped organize cavers and share knowledge about new discoveries. Even before this, guided tours through the famous Waitomo Caves had been popular for many years.
Famous Cave Discoveries
A big moment for New Zealand caving happened in 1957 with the discovery of Harwoods Hole on the South Island. This cave has a huge vertical entrance shaft, 183 meters deep! For a long time, it was the deepest and most famous non-commercial cave in the country. Its discovery showed everyone that New Zealand had some truly incredible cave systems waiting to be explored.
The area around Nelson is home to many of New Zealand's deepest caves. One of the most impressive is Bulmer Cavern, a massive cave system that stretches for about 70 kilometers underground! Most of these deep caves were found in the decades after Harwood's Hole.
Today, most cavers in New Zealand are part of the New Zealand Speleological Society. This society has 9 smaller caving clubs across the country, with about 300 members who love to explore.
Types of Caves in New Zealand
New Zealand has different kinds of caves. In the Auckland volcanic field, you can find lava caves, which are formed by flowing lava.
The North Island is well-known for its many limestone caves, with the Waitomo Caves being the most famous. These caves are carved out by water dissolving limestone rock over millions of years.
The longest and deepest caves in New Zealand are found in the Kahurangi National Park on the South Island. These are often very challenging to explore and are usually visited by experienced cavers.
Commercial Caving Adventures
New Zealand is famous for its adventure tourism, and caving is one of the most exciting activities you can try! Most commercial caving tours happen in the Waitomo area. However, you can also find tours in Fiordland and on the West Coast.
One very popular caving adventure is "black water rafting." This is where people float through underground rivers inside caves using large inner tubes, often in the dark with only headlamps to guide them. It's a unique and thrilling way to experience the hidden world beneath the surface!
