Princess Margaret Rose Cave

Princess Margaret Rose Cave is one of the most spectacular limestone caves in Australia. Semi-translucent and backlit stalactites, stalagmites, helictites and flow stone form sculptures and miniature landscapes that could be from another planet.

Slow growing grandeur
It can take around 50 years for stalagmites and stalactites to grow a centimetre. In some parts of the 700,000 year-old cave, a drop of calcifying water might fall on a stalagmite just once a day. One long stalactite that reaches down to almost touch an equally tall stalagmite lets only five drops fall in a year. There are stalagmites and stalactites that are more than six metres long inside this cave.

Tours
Cave tours run 7 times a day all year. The cave is surrounded by barbecues and (unpowered) camping sites for tents and vans as well as cabins set among trees.

How to get there
The cave is a 15-minute drive from Nelson or a 45 minute boat cruise.