Rawhiti Cave become increasingly finer deeper down into the cave. A short walking track leads halfway down into the cavernous opening to a viewing platform. The diverse twilight-zone flora near the entrance of Rawhiti Cave makes this cave nationally significant. Over long periods of time, plant growth on the cave formations causes them to grow towards the sunlight as more calcium carbonate is deposited regularly on top of the plant growth. This phenomenon, called phytokarst, is most evident on the larger stalactites near the cave entrance, which are strongly curved outwards due to the heavy moss and fern growth on their sunlit
Petty John's Cave use or trust any ropes or lines left in the cave. Please also help this much abused cave by not damaging formations and packing out trash. The Bridge Room is a good place to take a rest. You can hang your legs over the edge and listen to the stream that is 80 ft below. The Worm Tube leads to the Echo Room, which is the biggest room of the cave. The Volcano Room is shaped like a large funnel and it leads to the stream passage and the sump. The Over-Under Room and the Signature room are also other