Cave Stream

We left our park in Cass quite early the next morning which is unusual for us. We decided to head to the lookout of Arthur’s Pass because we were so close, and then come back out east again.

The terrain here is very steep and incredibly shingly. I am sure these peaks must lose some of their altitude each year when the snow melt washes some of it away.

We stopped at the lookout over the half tunnel which protects the main road from falling rocks. There are usually kea here which Bruce was already starting to moan about, (but I was secretly hoping they would be there), but not today.

We had to do the obligatory stop at the Otira Hotel. I would have to say it needs a bit of tender loving care. The scones with butter and jam were just as before, but some of the antiquities look neglected.

We started to wend our way back east but stopped in along the way for a look at Lake Lyndon. Although the wind was getting up a bit it was still lovely.

Further on from there, just before Castle Hill we came across a sign for Cave Stream and decided to call in for a look. Once again, it is run by DOC and there was a lovely carpark area and nice paths.

Cave Stream is also a limestone area and the views are wonderful.

The stream runs beneath steep limestone banks, and at the lookout there is no sign of a cave at all – just a little wooden gate with a steep, narrow muddy track leading down to the stream at the bottom. Of course we just had to have a look. It was a careful walk downwards. A steep drop on one side and a narrow and slippery track increased the nervous tension. Part way down the track we could see the cave, and it became apparent that Cave Stream has that name because the stream runs through the cave, and we would have to walk through the stream to get to the cave! We were not wearing tramping shoes so realised that probably wouldn’t be a good idea for us. I slipped at one stage so it wasn’t long after that we decided to head back.

It was a bit disappointing, but we have to be sensible occasionally. We took it slow and easy coming back up, with a few stops for me to catch my breath, but it still felt good.

This time we headed towards Ashburton – a frequent stop over for us and a safe place to wait out the coming storm.