Clifden Limestone Caves

The Clifden Limestone Cave System is in the Western Southland Region of New Zealand, on private land close to the hamlet of Clifden.

[1] The cave is formed in Miocene limestone created from the accumulation of shell fragments, sand and pebbles in the Epeiric Zealandia sea.

Glow worms or titiwai (Arachnocampa luminosa) find a natural habitat in the Clifden Cave System because of its damp environment with little or no wind.

[2] The cave system runs about 300 metres (980 ft).

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.