Combos

Combo: Wai-O-Tapu Thermal Wonderland Tickets + Waitomo Glowworm Caves Guided Tour

Guide explaining geothermal feature at Wai-O-Tapu Thermal Wonderland, New Zealand.

Visitors walking on a boardwalk at Wai-O-Tapu Thermal Wonderland, surrounded by geothermal landscape.

Visitors admire glowworms and stalactites in Waitomo Glowworm Caves, New Zealand.

Walkway through illuminated Waitomo Glowworm Caves, New Zealand.

Open today

8:30am - 4:30pm

Explore at your pace

Choose your entry time, stay as long as you like

Free cancellation

Free cancellation up to 24 hours before the start of your experience

Guided tour

4.5/5(1,154)

Ingrid H

Couple

Verified booking

Last week

This is the second time I have done this tour and this one was a standout. What impressed me after the spectacular caves and gloworms was our guide Zeppelin. This young man has it all, great knowledge and the ability to explain things in a way everyone can understand. He also has admirable people skills, he managed to guide a very diverse group ensuring we adhered to the cave rules while delivering a faultless tour. He was entertaining, funny ( he could be a stand up comedian) yet informative. Zeppelin made a great experience even better ... and he is named after my favourite group.

Peggy E

Couple

Verified booking

2 weeks ago

The geyser was great and I was able to get pictures and video. For the best places to sit, you should get there early. We went on the 45 minute walk because I have a knee injury. There are a 60 and 90 minute walk also. It was great but it probably took us longer because of taking pictures and I have to be careful with my knee. I loved all the thermal activity and the craters were interesting. This was my first experience of this sort, and I am very glad we went.

Sakon S

Group

Verified booking

4 days ago

Our tour guide, George (Danny De vito or Albert Einstien) He is very get in depth with strory and information about the glowworm and the community. He is also has a sence of humour and a lovable person.

Jennifer C

Group

Verified booking

Mar 2026

The tour was excellent. The guide was friendly, professional and knew her subject. She had the right mix of humour and authority to make everyone feel welcome, relaxed and safe. I had arthritis and limited mobility, so found the stairs hard and was slow. The guide was helpful and supportive in directing me to the stairs and boat. In all a very exciting and pleasant experience. Thank you for making it possible for a slow moving old lady .

Wendy G

Group

Verified booking

Mar 2026

Our guide! I have been to the caves before but was taking friends from Australia this time, who also loved it. Our guide was informative, funny & a great singer. It's always an amazing feeling to be in a space that was created millions of years ago but is on my doorstep.

Sandy W

Family

Verified booking

Mar 2026

Loved the guide & the small groups & the efficient timing amazing! Didn't love that pricing on headout was higher than what was available at Cave entrance i.e. the family pass didn't seem to be an option with the app.

See New Zealand’s natural wonders in one seamless plan — magical glowworm caves paired with vibrant geothermal landscapes.

Wander through the Waitomo Glowworm Caves on a guided tour, see limestone formations, and enjoy a serene boat ride beneath thousands of glowing glowworms.

Explore Wai-O-Tapu Thermal Wonderland with access to scenic walking trails, vibrant mineral pools, and the daily eruption of the Lady Knox Geyser.

Wai-O-Tapu Thermal Wonderland

Entry to Wai-O-Tapu Thermal Wonderland

Access to Lady Knox Geyser presentation

Waitomo Glowworm Caves

45-minute guided tour of Waitomo Gloworm Cave

English-speaking guide of Maori descent

Waitomo River boat ride

You can cancel these tickets up to 24 hours before the experience begins and get a full refund.

1,154 reviews
How do we collect reviews?
These ratings include verified reviews from both Headout guests and our trusted partners who operate this experience locally. All reviews come from real travelers who've taken this experience.
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Guests from Australia, United States, United Kingdom and over 32 countries have loved this experience
What our guests say
Peggy E
Couple
Verified booking
2 weeks ago
The geyser was great and I was able to get pictures and video. For the best places to sit, you should get there early. We went on the 45 minute walk because I have a knee injury. There are a 60 and 90 minute walk also. It was great but it probably took us longer because of taking pictures and I have to be careful with my knee. I loved all the thermal activity and the craters were interesting. This was my first experience of this sort, and I am very glad we went.
Ingrid H
Couple
Verified booking
Last week
This is the second time I have done this tour and this one was a standout. What impressed me after the spectacular caves and gloworms was our guide Zeppelin. This young man has it all, great knowledge and the ability to explain things in a way everyone can understand. He also has admirable people skills, he managed to guide a very diverse group ensuring we adhered to the cave rules while delivering a faultless tour. He was entertaining, funny ( he could be a stand up comedian) yet informative. Zeppelin made a great experience even better ... and he is named after my favourite group.
Sakon S
Group
Verified booking
4 days ago
Our tour guide, George (Danny De vito or Albert Einstien) He is very get in depth with strory and information about the glowworm and the community. He is also has a sence of humour and a lovable person.
Garth N
Family
Verified booking
Last week
It was worth seeing, but unfortunately due to heavy rain we had a restricted time on the boat and couldn't go outside. There should have been some compensation offered for this.
Inge G
Couple
Verified booking
3 weeks ago
The guide of ourt Santana singing a song in Maori. I was moved by the fact that the Maori culture is more than exploitation of the caves.

Experience New Zealand’s natural wonders in one combo — magical glowworm caves and vibrant geothermal landscapes.

Getting started

Your combo ticket includes entry to Waitomo Glowworm Caves and Wai-O-Tapu Thermal Wonderland. Simply present your mobile ticket at each attraction for entry.

What to expect

Wai-O-Tapu Thermal Wonderland

Scenic geothermal park: Enjoy entry to one of New Zealand’s most colorful geothermal landscapes and explore at your own pace.

Famous geothermal sights: Walk marked trails past bubbling mud pools, steaming craters, and vibrant mineral formations like the Champagne Pool and Devil’s Bath.

Lady Knox Geyser eruption: See the daily eruption of the Lady Knox Geyser, one of the park’s most famous geothermal highlights.

Easy walking trails: Follow well-marked paths with viewing points and information panels explaining the geothermal features.

Waitomo Glowworm Caves

Guided cave tour: Explore the famous limestone caves with a knowledgeable guide and learn about the cave’s formation, geology, and history.

Glowworm grotto: Marvel at thousands of tiny glowworms lighting up the cavern ceiling on a serene boat ride.

Stalactites and stalagmites: Walk through chambers filled with impressive limestone formations.

Cultural and natural insights: Learn about Māori legends associated with the caves and the unique ecosystem of the area.

Waiotapu Thermal Wonderland

Monday	8:30am - 4:30pm	last entry 3:00pm
Tuesday	8:30am - 4:30pm	last entry 3:00pm
Wednesday	8:30am - 4:30pm	last entry 3:00pm
Thursday	8:30am - 4:30pm	last entry 3:00pm
Friday	8:30am - 4:30pm	last entry 3:00pm
Saturday	8:30am - 4:30pm	last entry 3:00pm
Sunday	8:30am - 4:30pm	last entry 3:00pm

What to bring

Waitomo Glowworm Caves

Wear non-slip shoes as the cave floors are wet and slippery.

Bring a warm jacket as the temperature of the cave can be cool.

When you visit, make sure you've got a credit card or your phone set up for contactless payments (like Apple Pay or Google Pay).

Wai-O-Tapu Thermal Wonderland

Bring your camera, sunscreen, rain poncho, hat, sunglasses, and ID.

What’s not allowed

Wai-O-Tapu Thermal Wonderland

Drones and smoking are not allowed inside the park.

Do not touch thermal water, steam vents, or leave marked paths.

Waitomo Glowworm Caves

Photography and videography are strictly prohibited in the Waitomo Glowworm Caves.

Smoking, food, drink or litter are not allowed inside the cave.

Pets are not allowed inside the cave.

Accessibility

Waitomo Glowworm Caves

This experience is suitable for guests with reasonable mobility, with well-maintained paths and sturdy handrails throughout. However, it is not accessible for wheelchairs or prams/strollers.

Additional information

Wai-O-Tapu Thermal Wonderland

Facilities: Parking, toilets near the visitor centre, gift shop, cafe.

The opening hours at Wai-o-Tapu are from 8:30am - 4:30pm, with the last entry at 3pm.

Children must be supervised by a parent or guardian at all times.

This is an active geothermal area, meaning the ground and water often reach boiling temperatures. Do not wander outside of designated areas

Wai-O-Tapu is a cashless on site, all major credit cards and EFTPOS are accepted.

Your voucher will be emailed to you shortly.

Display the voucher on your mobile phone with a valid photo ID at the starting point.

Please check your final voucher for the starting point details & specific instructions.