Fox River Caves and Ballroom Overhang walk
Punakaiki
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Info
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Reviews 94%
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Similar 9
South Island ▷ West Coast ▷ Punakaiki ▷
The Fox River Caves have been an attraction since 1908 when a local entrepreneur/ farmer put in a toll gate and charge a small amount of cash - it's now free for all to enjoy! Make sure you wear solid footwear as it takes about and hour to get to the cave entrance, and hopefully you have also remembered you torch. The last bit of the walk is over super slippery rocks so watch your step.
There are two caves - the upper one is the tourist cave and is decorated with stalactites and stalagmites and takes about 30 minutes to explore, please don't touch the formations and just stick to the obviously marked areas as caves are incredibly unique and fragile. The lower cave is for experienced cavers only, so don't bother unless you are one! You can add an extra two hours to your trip and visit the breathtaking Ballroom Overhang, an overhanging cliff face, and a shelter for hikers tramping the Inland Pack Track. Primo!
Photos
Maps
Moderate walk
1 to 2 hours
DOC Managed
Walking track
26 reviews with the most recent first, showing page 1 of 2.
Thanks to all the good people working for the NZ Department of Conservation - for all your hard work - making NZ more beautiful, accessable and healthy! Cheers 😍
Jared Cordner
Ranking: 9/10
Incredible walk, lots of fun with river crossings and a stunning setting.
Sue Milne
Ranking: 10/10
Lovely walk, good underfoot, i.e pathway and steps where necessary. Timings were spot on for holiday makers, ambling with a camera.
Conservation Campsite Pass
Save up to 70% on campsite fees! Support conservation and experience the natural beauty of NZ. 93 Department of Conservation campsites, one convenient pass.
Diego Casanova
Ranking: 9/10
Easy and a little muddy track. Two hours return including the cave. Nice walking through the forest and river to finish with an amazing and big cave entrance. Easy and beautiful cave to explore. 100% recommend.
Dylan Dorman
Ranking: 10/10
I have been in New Zealand for eleven months and love my DOC walks. This was my favourite, the cave at the end was amazing and the walk itself was challenging, rewarding and diverse.
Top Ranked NZ Deals Pass
Access savings worth hundreds of $$ on Top Ranked NZ Accommodation and Activities for just $1 per day.
Austin Jurgensmeyer
Ranking: 10/10
FREE! For an amazing cave I cannot believe this is free. It is a steep one hour hike to the coolest cave we have seen in the South Island.
Stephen Timko
Ranking: 10/10
One of our favourite walks in New Zealand. Lots of river crossings (thigh-deep), well marked and the overhang is stunning!
Annika Pauly
Ranking: 9/10
Highly recommended. Reminded me of 'japanese waterfalls'. A 10 minute walk to these falls.
Avoid Camping Fines!
The only camping map where each location is approved by every regional council in NZ. So if it shows on the map, you’re allowed to stay.
The Rankers Camping NZ app, is also in association with…
Sarah Boettcher
Ranking: 10/10
Nice and easy walk through the bush next to a river, walk duration is about 1 to 1.5 hours (one way). Take a torch with you and wear good footwear and be prepared to get wet feet. At the end of the track you can walk as deep as you want into one of the two stalactite caves (the left one). Really amazing!!
Jan Penicka
Ranking: 10/10
Cave was a little bit flooded at the end but it was an amazing place to go.
Konstantin Bücheler
Ranking: 10/10
Hard to get there, but the cave is amazing and there were no other people.
Camping NZ App
Every camping site on your iPhone™, iPad™ or Android™ phone or tablet. Avoid camping penalties using this council approved app. Featuring offline maps.
Helena
Ranking: 8/10
Rewarding at the end. A big cave out of nowhere in which you can go into for a few metres. However, look out for the slippery rocks.
Markus Delinsky
Ranking: 10/10
The most beautiful walk so far, a lot of river crossings that make the walk exciting. You will get wet!! Free! There is even a toilet in the middle of nowhere!!
Philip Schumann
Ranking: 9/10
Nice cave, some beautiful formations, very steep and slippery approach, bring headlights, gets wet further in.
Thanks to all the good people working for the NZ Department of Conservation - for all your hard work - making NZ more beautiful, accessable and healthy! Cheers 😍
Jared Cordner
Ranking: 9/10
Incredible walk, lots of fun with river crossings and a stunning setting.
Sue Milne
Ranking: 10/10
Lovely walk, good underfoot, i.e pathway and steps where necessary. Timings were spot on for holiday makers, ambling with a camera.
Conservation Campsite Pass
Save up to 70% on campsite fees! Support conservation and experience the natural beauty of NZ. 93 Department of Conservation campsites, one convenient pass.
Diego Casanova
Ranking: 9/10
Easy and a little muddy track. Two hours return including the cave. Nice walking through the forest and river to finish with an amazing and big cave entrance. Easy and beautiful cave to explore. 100% recommend.
Dylan Dorman
Ranking: 10/10
I have been in New Zealand for eleven months and love my DOC walks. This was my favourite, the cave at the end was amazing and the walk itself was challenging, rewarding and diverse.
Top Ranked NZ Deals Pass
Access savings worth hundreds of $$ on Top Ranked NZ Accommodation and Activities for just $1 per day.
Austin Jurgensmeyer
Ranking: 10/10
FREE! For an amazing cave I cannot believe this is free. It is a steep one hour hike to the coolest cave we have seen in the South Island.
Stephen Timko
Ranking: 10/10
One of our favourite walks in New Zealand. Lots of river crossings (thigh-deep), well marked and the overhang is stunning!
Annika Pauly
Ranking: 9/10
Highly recommended. Reminded me of 'japanese waterfalls'. A 10 minute walk to these falls.
Avoid Camping Fines!
The only camping map where each location is approved by every regional council in NZ. So if it shows on the map, you’re allowed to stay.
The Rankers Camping NZ app, is also in association with…
Sarah Boettcher
Ranking: 10/10
Nice and easy walk through the bush next to a river, walk duration is about 1 to 1.5 hours (one way). Take a torch with you and wear good footwear and be prepared to get wet feet. At the end of the track you can walk as deep as you want into one of the two stalactite caves (the left one). Really amazing!!
Jan Penicka
Ranking: 10/10
Cave was a little bit flooded at the end but it was an amazing place to go.
Konstantin Bücheler
Ranking: 10/10
Hard to get there, but the cave is amazing and there were no other people.
Camping NZ App
Every camping site on your iPhone™, iPad™ or Android™ phone or tablet. Avoid camping penalties using this council approved app. Featuring offline maps.
Helena
Ranking: 8/10
Rewarding at the end. A big cave out of nowhere in which you can go into for a few metres. However, look out for the slippery rocks.
Markus Delinsky
Ranking: 10/10
The most beautiful walk so far, a lot of river crossings that make the walk exciting. You will get wet!! Free! There is even a toilet in the middle of nowhere!!
Philip Schumann
Ranking: 9/10
Nice cave, some beautiful formations, very steep and slippery approach, bring headlights, gets wet further in.
