Abbey Caves
Abbey Caves
4.5

Top ways to experience nearby attractions

Most Recent: Reviews ordered by most recent publish date in descending order.

Detailed Reviews: Reviews ordered by recency and descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as waiting time, length of visit, general tips, and location information.

Popular mentions

We perform checks on reviews.
Tripadvisor’s approach to reviews
Before posting, each Tripadvisor review goes through an automated tracking system, which collects information, answering the following questions: how, what, where and when. If the system detects something that potentially contradicts our community guidelines, the review is not published.
When the system detects a problem, a review may be automatically rejected, sent to the reviewer for validation, or manually reviewed by our team of content specialists, who work 24/7 to maintain the quality of the reviews on our site.
Our team checks each review posted on the site disputed by our community as not meeting our community guidelines.
Learn more about our review moderation.
4.5
4.5 of 5 bubbles163 reviews
Excellent
107
Very good
36
Average
11
Poor
7
Terrible
2

Stephen T
2 contributions
4.0 of 5 bubbles
Nov 2023 • Couples
NOTICE: Earlier this past year, the caves were shut down after a 9 year old child passed in the caves. While the path is open (partially), all cave entrances are blocked. You will not be able to get in or even see the cave entrances. However, if you're passing by here, the pathway around the caves that are still open are gorgeous (albeit short in what is accessible). A mixture of forest and rolling green pastures with beautiful limestone outcrops, the place was magical in the evening. I felt like little hobbitons would pop out around the corner to greet us.

One more thing, Google maps does not have the right location. Look for a fairly large parking lot on Abbey Caves Road and follow signs around the area. The entrance to the trail is across the street, uphill, and somewhat hidden.
Written 23 November 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

Benjamin Moye
Norwich, UK400 contributions
4.0 of 5 bubbles
Dec 2022
Caves are easily accessible but did not venture in due to water, pleasant loop walk linking the caves together.
Written 26 January 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

angelaannie
Auckland, New Zealand13 contributions
5.0 of 5 bubbles
May 2022 • Family
My daughter and I had a ball, father wasn’t keen! We had come prepared with head torches and water shoes, so we didn’t mind getting wet. These caves are not for the “ tourists “ who want to drive to the door and see some awesome caves. You have to be prepared to walk to them, scramble around rocks, get a bit wet and dirty. I wouldn’t recommend going into the caves for young children as the rocks are large and they wouldn’t have the reach to grip the boulders. But the surrounding rock formations outside of the caves are amazing!! So much fun had here playing hide and seek, climbing ect. Very unique rocks.
We went right through the middle cave(organ cave) popped out 159m later, steep entry and exit was tricky. Hadn’t had a lot of rain, so water was only ankle deep. Other caves looked a bit more challenging.
Written 15 May 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

Anaïs B
7 contributions
5.0 of 5 bubbles
Jan 2021
The track to the caves is really easy. We only have done one cave as it was physical enough to go till the end. Please don't forget to bring head torch and good shoes as it might be slippery inside.
It's a really cool thing to do, think about turning your head torch off from time to time to enjoy the glow worms.
We were alone in the caves and it made this moment even more magic with only the sound of the water dropping on the rocks
Written 26 January 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

bailiej757
Seattle, WA347 contributions
5.0 of 5 bubbles
Mar 2020
The caves are a great one day adventure and free. There are 3 caves located in a limestone park. You absolutely need a light, one that you wear on your head for each person is best. There is water flowing in all the caves from ankle to chest deep so wear appropriate foot wear as it is very slippery almost throughout. The water level will also change with rain. The caves are accessible for most people in good shape. You do have to climb down boulders to enter the caves. It it not recommended for small children or elderly people. Parking is limited to the side of the road and thefts are a problem so don't leave anything in your car.
Written 16 March 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

dasco474
Dwight, IL259 contributions
5.0 of 5 bubbles
Dec 2019
We went prepared - I was hoping to find a cave like this o our New Zealand trip. We have several bright headlamps and proper footgear for scaling wet rocks and slogging through watery caves. My daughter and I love when you can find places like this - not over run with tourists or homogenized for the masses. These caves can be tough to climb down into and yes, you have to plan and bring lights and yes, plan and bring correct footgear, but that is part of the experience. I passed up the well advertised "Glow Worm Caves" so I didn't have to commune with the masses and found the little beauties right here for free. The walk through the property is amazing and climbing into the cattle pastures is a different experience. There are amazing rock formations here - very well worth the hike! I loved my morning here at Abbey Caves!
Written 30 January 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

Michael B
Melbourne, Australia631 contributions
5.0 of 5 bubbles
Jan 2020 • Couples
You have to be well prepared for these. Footwear that can get wet, strong head torch, helmet and strong knees. The entrances to the caves are steep and slippery. Almost dangerous. However, even if you don’t go down the caves, the terrain is amazing for the one hour walk. Rock formations like another planet.
Written 20 January 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

Jörg T
Whangarei, New Zealand14 contributions
5.0 of 5 bubbles
Dec 2019
Easy access (10 mins by car from city centre, then 10 min walk downhill).
You shouldn't be afraid to wade in an underground river knee depp, wear at least 2 torches (headlight recommended) and good footwear that can be used in water.
only the first 20 metres are a climb down some slightly wet muddy rocks, then it is basically walking in an underground stream. In Nov(Dec it was not to cold to wade fo about an hour.
95 % of the time I could walk upright (I am 193cm tall), only little obstacles on the way (2m traversing or wade hip deep).
Main bonus:
almost empty if you go early (before 10 am), easy orientation
(follow the river),
free with fantastic glowworms (switch of the torch and there they are ... like stars in the sky)
Nice stalagtite sin Organ Cave
Cool 70cm eels are swimming in the river and inspect your legs/feet very leisurely ... interesting encounter
Organ Cave - the biggest - can be done in about 1.5 hrs from parking lot (about 1hr return actually in cave)

It is not dangerous as such but:
Don't go alone or inform someone ...
Take at least 1 spare torch ... make sure your light also works when wet.
Check the weather: After/during rainfalls or when these are expected it is dangerous, as the water levels can massively rise very quickly!
Do not go in if you are not comfortable with immersing in cold water knee or hip deep, confined spaces or climbing (short passages) over wet rock.
Written 8 January 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

Fit n beats
7 contributions
3.0 of 5 bubbles
Jan 2020 • Family
Enjoyed the drive and the walk to the caves.Free entry, good shoes,shorts,head torch recommended to get inside the caves.
Written 1 January 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

Juliaguliadavies
Townsville, Australia188 contributions
5.0 of 5 bubbles
Oct 2019
the caves are explore at your own risk, so DO NOT go if you are not experienced, but if you have some experience in caving, rocklcimbing etc then take your torch and go and explore some amazing wet caves - look out for eels.
if not, you can walk around the perimeter, there are some good rock features worth visiting
Written 8 November 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

Showing results 1-10 of 138
Is this your Tripadvisor listing?
Own or manage this property? Claim your listing for free to respond to reviews, update your profile and much more.
Claim your listing

ABBEY CAVES: All You Need to Know BEFORE You Go (with Photos)

Frequently Asked Questions about Abbey Caves