What: Nikau Cave & Cafe
When: 9am PROMPT departure from BP Drury
Meet Point Auckland: BP Drury, the big BP on the left of the Motorway, just after the Papakura exit (the usual meet point)
Meet Point Waikato: ?? ???
Caving booked time: 11am
Caving & Cafe address: 1779 Waikaretu Valley Rd, Tuakau 2695
What to bring: Your car, full tank of gas - (no gas stations nearby), sun tan lotion, money for lunch and caving (eftpos & cash only - no credit cards accepted), CHANGE OF CLOTHES FOR AFTERWARDS AS YOU WILL GET DIRTY, SOLID CLOSED IN SHOES OR OLD RUNNING SHOES WITH GOOD GRIP MAYBE OK
gold coins for our clubs charity collection for St Johns
Website: http://nikaucave.co.nz/cave/
Phone: 09 233 3199
Cost for Cave Tour: Adult: $35 *, Child (Still at School): $18 * (The maximum group size is 10 people per guide – larger groups will be divided between several guides.)
(Children around 5 - 7 years of age will be at the discretion of the guide
GEAR: They supply a torch and hardhat. [If you have a hard hat and a bright waterproof torch you are welcome to bring your own - they don't seem to give any discount if you do though.]
- suitable attire is shorts and a tshirt (inside the cave isn't cold so no jersey required)Event organiser: Bronzee
Directions from Auckland: http://nikaucave.co.nz/location/directi ... -auckland/
Directions from Hamilton: http://nikaucave.co.nz/location/directi ... -hamilton/
Directions From Port Waikato: http://nikaucave.co.nz/location/directi ... t-waikato/
Directions from Raglan: http://nikaucave.co.nz/location/directions-from-raglan/
This is an amazing experience, for those that have caved before or those that have never been caving before.
The Nikau Cave is 1 km long, has a stream running through it and is in its natural state.
The tour departs from the café and usually takes one and a half hours. The walk to and from the cave is through a working farm and native rainforest. The tour follows the river which runs through the cave, this means feet will get wet. Most of the cave is open and spacious except for a 12 metre length, which must be crawled through, you will get wet in this section.
An experienced guide will lead you through the cave and will point out many interesting features and give you some background on their formation.
A wide variety of stalactites and stalagmites can be seen, including giant pillars, fine straws and flowing shawls. The cave has an abundance of calcite formations and many glow-worms. The glow-worms and their dewy threads may be studied up close. In the big, cathedral-like cavern they resemble the night sky.
The cave environment is fragile and visitors must help them preserve this special place by taking great care not to touch and damage formations or glow-worms.
At the end of the cave steps lead up through a beautiful native rainforest. The final leg of the tour comes out onto the farm with wide views and a glimpse of the sea, before returning downhill to the café.
A good level of fitness is required. If you have any concerns about the physical requirements or you have a medical condition or history of claustrophobia, please discuss this in advance with one of our guides.
The recommended age limit is 7 years old, however children from 5-7 years will be considered at the discretion of the guide, please discuss this with us.
They provide you with a helmet and a flashlight.
Clothing and footwear can be hired by arrangement & there is a changing room on site. We recommend that you bring clothes that you don’t mind getting wet and muddy, and walking shoes with good grip. A change of clothes for afterwards is advised.
FOR THOSE THAT DON'T FANCY THE CAVING, there is a fabulous cafe on site to site and take in surrounding and the amazing pancake rock formations in the steep hills behind the cafe.
FOR ALL ATTENDING, INCLUDING THE CAFE SET, PLEASE BRING RUNNING SHOES OR WALKING SHOES, AS WE WILL GO FOR A GENTLE WALK ALONG THE ROAD AND ALONG THE RIVER TO A NEAT WATERFALL THAT YOU CAN STAND UNDER AND COOL OFF!!
ALL VALUABLES INCLUDING CAR KEYS, CELL PHONES ETC TO BE LEFT IN THE CUPBOARD AT THE CAFE OR WITH THE PEOPLE STAYING AT THE CAFE NOT DOING THE WALK, SO NOTHING GETS LOST OR IS DAMAGED.
ALL ATTENDING, CAFE OR CAVING MUST PRE-REGISTER!!
Please ensure you're there on time!!!!
