By Outdoor Next Editorial standards
On this page
Location & access
DOC track reference point, not a verified trailhead, entrance or the whole route. Check the official route directions before travel.
Official location informationLocation source
DOC track reference point, not a verified trailhead, entrance or the whole route.
Reference point: -45.40491, 170.77765. WGS84 coordinates retained at the official service's returned precision; decimal resolution is not survey accuracy. Source positional accuracy is not specified.
DOC Maps walking and tramping reference point (WGS84), exact official-page GUID / Department of Conservation. Checked 2026-10-12.
Key facts
- Distance
- 700 m one way
- Walking time
- 30 min one way
- Track grade
- Easy
- Location
- Moeraki area
- Seasonal restrictions
- The gate to the campsite is closed to vehicles during winter because of wet conditions. You can still access the tracks and campsite on foot.
- Dog access
- Dogs on a leash only. Other pets on conservation land rules.
Checked against official sources on 8 October 2026. Rules and conditions are set by Department of Conservation — confirm with them before you go.
Route overview
A walking track with native forest and caves.
This DOC directory entry covers Trotters Cave Walk in Otago, within Moeraki area. Where DOC groups several walks, times and grades refer to the listed options rather than a single continuous itinerary.
Distance, time and grade
- Distance: 700 m one way
- Walking time: 30 min one way
- DOC grade: Easy
Access and alerts
Source checked 2026-10-08. This page is a dated snapshot, not a live track-status report. Check current DOC route information immediately before travelling. An absence of listed alerts does not establish that a route is open.
Seasonal restrictions
The gate to the campsite is closed to vehicles during winter because of wet conditions. You can still access the tracks and campsite on foot.
Dog access
Dogs on a leash only. Other pets on conservation land rules.
Description
This track follows a tributary of the Trotters Creek through native broadleaf forest and arrives at a set of river-sculpted caves. At night, glowworms can be seen at certain points along this track.
Getting there
This track starts at the Trotters Gorge Campsite.
From Moeraki: turn off SH1 onto Horse Range Road around 2.4 km south of Moeraki Boulders/Kaihinaki. After 4.2 km turn Trotters Gorge Road and follow this for a short distance to the end.
From Palmerston: turn off SH 1 onto Horse Range Road on the outskirts of Palmerston. Follow this for around 11 km, then turn onto Trotters Gorge Road and follow this for a short distance to the end.
Know before you go
This track is mostly well formed but some sections may be steep, rough or muddy. There are two small unbridged stream crossings on the track (sometimes dry).
Nature and conservation
This is a great place to see and hear many of New Zealand’s bush birds. Listen out for NZ falcon/karearea calling overhead. Also, look out for native fish (galaxiids) in the streams.
The caves and cliffs are a greywacke-breccia conglomerate and were formed after the last ice age 12 - 15,000 years ago.
Sources and reuse
Route descriptions and practical information reproduced from the Department of Conservation, Crown copyright, under CC BY 4.0, subject to DOC's copyright policy. Formatting has been adapted, including flattening page sections; follow the original DOC page for maps, section-specific layout, current notices and linked documents. Outdoor Next is independent and is not endorsed by DOC.
The accompanying photograph is a licensed general hiking illustration, not a photograph of this route.
