Rainfall recharge thresholds in a subtropical climate determined using a regional cave drip water monitoring network

•Regional cave drip water monitoring network determines rainfall-recharge thresholds.•31 cave drip water recharge events over a 5-year monitoring period.•Median observed recharge threshold of 76–79 mm/week precipitation.•Modelled soil and epikarst water storage capacities of 65–80 mm.•Comparable to recharge thresholds in water-limited environments globally.