Waipu Caves Day Trip

Location: Waipu, Northland

Date: 27th April 2025

Author: Sara McMagic

Participants: Martin, Sabrina, Colin, Changjin, Clemens, Emily, Robbie, Teianna, Wentao, and Sara

We started the day early by meeting at the clocktower around 7am and standing in the rain for about half an hour while we waited for everyone to arrive and gear to be gathered before quickly packing up cars and heading off. The rain continued throughout our drive up and stops were made for hot coffee and/or breakfast. When the cave was scoped out upon our arrival it was found to be safe, although the rain continued even under the cover of ground. We spent about four and a half hours exploring various cave tunnels and features, clambering up rocks and getting covered in mud. There was lots and lots of mud. We had fun sliding down some of the tunnels and everyone managed to avoid unintentionally falling into water, or being anal probed by cave spires. A couple of us experienced rebirth via the birth canal, and many of us via C section. We finished up our cave adventures by basking in the light blue glow of lots of tiny worms and even managed to wash some of the mud off in the chest high water of the underground river as we made our way back out to daylight. We all made an essential stop at Burger Fuel on the way home and arrived back in Auckland by nightfall. Overall, a great first caving experience for many of us!