Rawhiti Cave
Do you like to explore more in adventurous place? Go ahead and read our Rawhiti Cave exploration!
We explored this rare and amazing cave in Takaka, Nelson, New Zealand. But before I share our adventurous track let’s check Rawhiti Cave history and why it is one of the rarest cave in New Zealand.
Rawhiti Cave is a nationally significant phytokarst. Phytokarst is a phenomenon where plants and calcium work together to ‘grow’ stalactites and stalagmites.
Rawhiti Cave is thought to be around 1 million years old.
In the early 1900s, Darcy Manson, son of the land owner, cut a track to the cave and took people there on tours until the late 1920s. He named the cave Rawhiti, Māori for “sunrise”, due to the winter sun shining right to the back of the cave. From 1955 to 2000, the cave was owned by the Baird family, who provided daily tours on demand. In 2000, the cave’s ownership changed to Heritage New Zealand, and the Baird Reserve area is now managed by the Department of Conservation NZ, its 150 hectares (370 acres) split into the adjacent Dry River Scenic Reserve and Rawhiti Caves Scenic Reserve [source:Wikipedia].
In the early 1900s, Darcy Manson, son of the land owner, cut a track to the cave and took people there on tours until the late 1920s. He named the cave Rawhiti, Māori for “sunrise”, due to the winter sun shining right to the back of the cave. From 1955 to 2000, the cave was owned by the Baird family, who provided daily tours on demand. In 2000, the cave’s ownership changed to Heritage New Zealand, and the Baird Reserve area is now managed by the Department of Conservation NZ, its 150 hectares (370 acres) split into the adjacent Dry River Scenic Reserve and Rawhiti Caves Scenic Reserve [source:Wikipedia].
The Track
Just follow the orange triangle nailed on trees.
We have difficulty finding the road that leads to the sign of the cave. We came from east Takaka and drive towards Motupipi. There is no signage in the highway road. We keep driving then decided to ask a local that we pass by.
Driving towards Motupipi we take left at Packard road and before the end of the road we saw a signage of Rawhiti cave that leads to a private property going to an informal car park.
From the car park it takes an hour of trekking/walking to Rawhiti cave. When we pass by to the river it has flowing water because it rained before that day. It takes 30 minutes walk in the valley and another 30 going up in a zigzag trail. This is one of the difficult level of our trekking.
If you see this Warning sign then it’s time to climb up hill. It has a proper zigzag trail but during our trek the ground is wet and slippery from the all day raining before that day.While climbing up I started to felt weak and dizzy so I set in the ground and drink water. I really don’t have much energy. My vision gets blurry and I feel cold in my back. I just set about 10 to 15 minutes and stretch my legs and half lying my upper body to get more oxygen and blood flows to my brain. I didn’t tell my husband that I felt dizzy because he might worried about me. While resting I was thinking that maybe we will go back down.
So I advise that before you do the trek make sure to bring some food to boast your adrenaline. Because of excitement to see the cave we just jump out of the car leaving our food inside (didn’t eat lunch).
When I felt better I get up and my husband said that the cave is just few steps away at the back. Then I remember this quote: “The moment you’re ready to quit is usually the moment right before a miracle happens. DON’T GIVE UP!” If I give up because I felt not better I cannot share you this beautiful experienced at Rawhiti cave.
Photos of Rawhiti cave
I saw some photos of Rawhiti cave captured years ago and some people get down below this flat form and they got nice photos. But I’m not sure if it’s alright to go down there because of the warning sign. We didn’t touch any stalagmites and stalactites. We only live our happy foot prints.
When we arrive here just the two of us plus the 5 wild goats that curiously watching us.The place is very quite that our foot steps and voices echoed to the place. Hehe goose bumps! No no no no no…we enjoy taking detailed photos of the cave.
Time to head back
After spending time taking photos of this amazing cave we decided to go home because the rain started to pour down and the fog is getting thicker. Going down with the pouring rain that makes the trail more slippery and difficult for us. I have to use long stick and bring a rock to avoid slipping down. Thank God we made it safe and sound.
It’s very slippery that’s why the photos below are blurry.
Oh it’s rainbow
Heading back walking in the valley, my husband saw a beautiful rainbow arc in the mountain. I quickly drop the stones that I collected in the river and turned my back to check the rainbow. And WOW! IT’S BEAUTIFULLY AMAZING!So So beautiful!It arcs in the mountains with green and foggy background plus the sun that shine in the mountain is overwhelming. We forgot the tiredness from our trek when we saw the rainbow. God is amazing…awesome creation.
Great adventure and exploring the Rawhiti Cave in Takaka Nelson, New Zealand.
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~ AnneXplore ~ ?
