Ngarua Caves
Ngarua Caves
4.5
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4.5
241 reviews
Excellent
168
Very good
67
Average
4
Poor
1
Terrible
1
Cathleen G
6 contributions
Feb 2023
Really wonderful tour. Our tour guide Nancy was so knowledgeable about geology and she was so enthusiastic about the history of the cave. She did everything she could to involve participants and elicit questions and comments. The cave is amazing!
Written 7 February 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.
Ken H
Ipswich, UK1,074 contributions
Feb 2023 • Couples
On arrival you would be forgiven for thinking the set-up is a little ramshackle but don't be fooled. The caves and tour are brilliant. At times you are climbing up steps in the rock and the acoustics in the large cavern are amazing. At one point the guide turns off the lights for 30 seconds (with everyone's approval) so that you can experience true darkness. At the end of the tour the cave exit is up a ladder so do be prepared. There's a small cafe, giftshop, bathroom facilities and a car park that can accommodate motorhomes (as there were two parked there when we arrived). Highly recommended.
Written 28 February 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.
Rebecca
Adelaide, Australia2,198 contributions
Jan 2024 • Couples
Amazing! There is so much decoration in this cave compared to others I’ve seen- high density of stalagmites and stalactites. It is so open you can walk through it easily and they’ve set up stairs and lighting. Also the tour guide was 5star brilliant. A must see.
Tours half hourly in busy season
Tours half hourly in busy season
Written 17 January 2024
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.
Passenger17689519513
8 contributions
Jan 2025 • Family
Awesome cave system, well lit and the guide had lots of information to share. As you're not allowed to touch any of the cave, some sections can be a little tricky as it is a cave after all. I really appreciated that they check first before turning out all the lights as my seven year old absolutely didn't want to experience that. She gave us her torch so we could go a little further up the cave not to ruin it for everyone else. I think I thought the cave would be bigger than it but I enjoyed hearing about the history and seeing where it had been damaged way way back when it was first discovered. Oh and we got to hold a moa bone!
Written 24 January 2025
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.
kiwitraveler92
Nelson-Tasman Region, New Zealand217 contributions
May 2021 • Couples
We have been meaning to visit here for the past year and finally went with visiting family - so glad we did and wish we hadn’t waited so long! Tours run every hour from 10am to 3pm. We arrived just after 11am due to the road works on Takaka Hill (allow an extra 15 minutes) and they quickly accommodated us and joined us on the tour that had just started. Our guide was very passionate and knowledgeable about the cave and happy to answer any questions. The highlight for me was the talk about moa and being able to hold a moa bone. The ground is uneven and a little slippery in places so wear sensible footwear. There is also a ladder at the end you need to climb to get back out. I highly recommend visiting here and look forward to coming back! Is was $25 for an adult and took about 40 minutes to go through the cave with our small group. There is a cafe and gift shop onsite.
Written 10 May 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.
Gordon D
Sunshine Coast, Australia100 contributions
Feb 2023
Recommended by the people at Takaka iSite. Arrived early for the first tour of the day and only had five of us, felt like we had the guide to ourselves. No flshing lights, bells or whistles. Caves just as nature intended with just enough light to see it in its true state
Written 24 February 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.
Ramplifers
Waipapakauri, New Zealand39 contributions
Jan 2024 • Couples
We did the Caves tour in the morning, with Nancy. The drive down from the road is a bit steep, but is sealed all the way.
It was an excellent tour; the caves are amazing, the track through is well-built, and there are short foot bridges too. It's not rushed at all, so you don't feel like to have to keep up ... there's time to walk as carefully as you need, or to stop and really look at the formations and take photos.
Everyone gets a hard hat!
The Cottage has tea, coffee, nibbles, and a small souvenir shop.
The entry is $30 adult (can't remember the child rate!) and well worth it for a hour or so stop off on your travels over the Takaka Hill.
It was an excellent tour; the caves are amazing, the track through is well-built, and there are short foot bridges too. It's not rushed at all, so you don't feel like to have to keep up ... there's time to walk as carefully as you need, or to stop and really look at the formations and take photos.
Everyone gets a hard hat!
The Cottage has tea, coffee, nibbles, and a small souvenir shop.
The entry is $30 adult (can't remember the child rate!) and well worth it for a hour or so stop off on your travels over the Takaka Hill.
Written 11 February 2024
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.
GreatTraveller2014
Wellington, New Zealand84 contributions
Oct 2020
These are a must see. Our guide turned the lights out and sung "How Great Thou Art" Her voice was amazing and the acoustics in the cave were outstanding. It was spine tingling fabulous. I almost cried it was so amazing. So memorable. The caves were beautiful. One of the great experiences of my life. Thank you so much.
Written 1 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.
GemGem
53 contributions
Mar 2023 • Family
We recently took our 2 kids through the cave. Tours run on the hour and we turned up about 10 mins before without warning and we're still allowed to join. The cave is at a 11 degree temperature all year round so be sure to take something warm. They do have a selection of jackets to borrow if you are like us and go unprepared. This is a reasonable priced family activity. The tour guide Robert was straight forward and knowledgeable and all safety gear required was provided. The cave and tour were so amazing.highly engaging and lots of discussion points along the way. Breath taking sites. It took nearly an hour to complete with a steep ladder to climb on exit. Don't just drive past. Our kids are still buzzing a few weeks on about their wonderful experience. Very memorable.
Written 21 March 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.
Nathaniel F
Christchurch, New Zealand84 contributions
Jan 2022
We loved the caves! Bring a warm coat it is cool in the caves, but we were all fine in jandals. Our guide was knowledgeable and fun and the tour lasts about 45 minutes which goes so so fast. You can take photos just not video, which didn't bother me, the cave doesn't move.
Written 15 January 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.
Situated on the Marble Mountain in the Takaka Hill range, a 0.5hr drive from Motueka on SH 60 towards Takaka and Golden Bay.
(Main Road, Takaka Hill, SH 60, Motueka (towards Golden Bay), New Zealand)
Written 10 August 2018
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*Likely to sell out: Based on Viator’s booking data and information from the provider from the past 30 days, it seems likely this experience will sell out through Viator, a Tripadvisor company.
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