In early February of this year I spent a week exploring a huge cave system near the Heaphy River..
A heli ride into Megamania along the Kahurangi Coast is unforgettable!
Heaphy Hut from the air.
“I hope your feet don’t get too wet” Trying to land the gear somewhere dry in the river bed.
The camp kitchen – it’s just a bonus that it floods/washes away when it rains too much.
Scallop Room Major – a mind blowing chamber!
Scallop and oyster fossils in the cave walls.
Home for a week in the bush.
A moa skull – most bones are carefully taped off to stop cavers accidentally damaging them.
Almost 1km of flat sandy passage.
Bruce checking out a kiwi skull.
A cave entrance on the Gunner River.
A native Epilobium flower on the Gunner River
Hi there. Love the website. Just wondering on this trip would it be suitable for a 10 year old boy? And also how much is it to take the chopper in?
If you think this cave system might be a bit much for a kid can you recommend any around nelson?
Thanks heaps. Great photos.
Chris.
Hi Chris – not really. The area the cave is in is pretty dense bush/tree fall and its quite a large/complex system. If you have the chance to go on an expedition with some experienced cavers then its totally worth doing! There’s heaps of cool caves around Nelson that are worth visiting – top of my list would be Pink Caves just off Wairoa River Road (theres a sign on the road) – I think I’m even heading there this sat!. Its small enough that you can’t get lost, but also full of mini challenges that make it a fun beginner cave.
Cheers
Andy
Thanks for that Andy, that’s some good advice.
Really enjoy your website and photos. It;s nice sitting in an office in Wellington and vicariously taking expeditions around my home town.
Chris.