Discovering Harwoods Hole
Located in the inland section of Abel Tasman National Park, between Golden Bay and Tasman Bay on Tākaka Hill, Harwoods Hole is New Zealand's deepest vertical cave shaft. It is accessible via the Tākaka Hill Highway, State Highway 60, and a walking track. This hill is known for its dramatic landscapes, including ancient limestone formations and remnant forests.
Hiking to Harwoods Hole
The road ends at a junction where several hiking and biking tracks begin. Among these is the 45-minute walk to Harwoods Hole. The track is a pleasant forest walk that leads gently uphill through open beech and mānuka forest, with pockets of kānuka and scattered limestone outcrops along the way. You might spot a big native forest snail.
Gorge Creek Lookout
At a fork in the track, taking the right path leads to the Gorge Creek Lookout. This vantage point provides views of the Tākaka Valley, though clouds can sometimes obscure the scenery. The route to the lookout traverses sharp limestone rocks, so caution is advised.
Approaching the Cave Shaft
The left branch of the track takes you near the impressive Harwoods Hole, which plunges 176 metres down. While you can approach the vicinity of the shaft, be aware that there are no safety rails, and it is not possible to look directly into the cave.
There is no guided tour version for exploring the cave. Caving at Harwoods Hole is a challenging, full-day adventure requiring expert vertical caving skills for the massive 176m abseil into a deep chasm, followed by navigating a wet, cold, underground stream system with narrow squeezes, climbs, deep pools, and rock formations, leading to an exit after hours of traversing the cave system. Extra risks include flooding due to rain and rock falls. Read here to learn more.
Getting to Harwoods Hole
To reach Harwoods Hole from Nelson, take State Highway 6 south to the intersection with State Highway 60. Then follow State Highway 60 west, all the way to the top of Takaka Hill. At the top, after Hawkes Lookout and the Ngārua Caves entrance, turn north onto gravel Canaan Road. Follow this road over the Pikikirunga Range to its end at the intersection of several hiking and biking tracks at the Canaan Downs Campsite. The Harwoods Hole Track heads west just before the road end. The drive takes 90 minutes and is 72 km.
Near the entrance to Canaan Road, you will also find the Tākaka Hill Walkway. This takes you to the peak of the hill. On the west side of the hill, you can explore Tākaka and explore more accessible limestone formations at Rawhiti Cave and the Grove Track.
