Clifden Limestone Caves

The Clifden Limestone Cave System is located in the Western Southland Region of New Zealand close to the hamlet of Clifden on private land.GeologyThe 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.EcologyGlow worms or titiwai find a natural habitat in the Clifden Cave System because of the damp environment with little or no wind.RecreationThe cave system runs about 300m 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.