Waitomo Caves
Journey through New Zealand's Waitomo Caves. See enchanting glowworms on a guided tour. Book now for subterranean magic.
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Visitor's guide
Must-see highlights & key info
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Explore the Waitomo Glowworm Caves on a 45-minute guided tour featuring a serene boat ride beneath thousands of glowing worms.
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Walk through stunning limestone formations, including stalactites, stalagmites, and the towering Cathedral chamber.
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Hear captivating stories and legends from expert guides descended from the Māori chief who first explored the caves.
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Upgrade to the 1.5-hour Ruakuri accessible cave tour or the full-day Waitomo tour from Auckland with transfers for a longer, richer experience.
More details
-
Explore the Waitomo Glowworm Caves on a 45-minute guided tour featuring a serene boat ride beneath thousands of glowing worms.
-
Walk through stunning limestone formations, including stalactites, stalagmites, and the towering Cathedral chamber.
-
Hear captivating stories and legends from expert guides descended from the Māori chief who first explored the caves.
-
Upgrade to the 1.5-hour Ruakuri accessible cave tour or the full-day Waitomo tour from Auckland with transfers for a longer, richer experience.
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Join a 3-hour black water rafting adventure in Ruakuri Cave, combining underground tubing, small waterfall jumps, and magical glowworm displays.
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Float beneath a glittering glowworm ceiling, weave through limestone passages, and take the plunge off low, safe waterfalls.
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Learn about Maori myths, the glowworm’s unique life cycle, and caving techniques from your knowledgeable guide during the journey.
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Pause mid-tour for complimentary snacks, then return to The Base for a hot shower after an unforgettable glowworm-lit rafting journey.
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Opt for the 5-hour black water rafting tour for a bigger challenge, featuring added thrills like abseiling, ziplining, and scaling underground waterfalls.
More details
-
Join a 3-hour black water rafting adventure in Ruakuri Cave, combining underground tubing, small waterfall jumps, and magical glowworm displays.
-
Float beneath a glittering glowworm ceiling, weave through limestone passages, and take the plunge off low, safe waterfalls.
-
Learn about Maori myths, the glowworm’s unique life cycle, and caving techniques from your knowledgeable guide during the journey.
-
Pause mid-tour for complimentary snacks, then return to The Base for a hot shower after an unforgettable glowworm-lit rafting journey.
-
Opt for the 5-hour black water rafting tour for a bigger challenge, featuring added thrills like abseiling, ziplining, and scaling underground waterfalls.
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Join a 1.5-hour tour of Ruakuri Cave, exploring impressive rock formations and the magical glow of thousands of glowworms.
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Stroll through wheelchair-friendly routes featuring beautiful limestone formations, underground rivers, and iconic sites such as The Drum Passage and The Pretties.
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Listen to engaging Māori legends and fascinating facts shared by guides descended from the original Māori explorers of the cave.
More details
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Join a 1.5-hour tour of Ruakuri Cave, exploring impressive rock formations and the magical glow of thousands of glowworms.
-
Stroll through wheelchair-friendly routes featuring beautiful limestone formations, underground rivers, and iconic sites such as The Drum Passage and The Pretties.
-
Listen to engaging Māori legends and fascinating facts shared by guides descended from the original Māori explorers of the cave.
-
Enjoy an exclusive small-group Waitomo cave adventure with private access, away from the crowds, led by an expert local guide.
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Gear up with helmet, headlamp, boots, and warm clothing before venturing underground to explore hidden limestone passages and glowworm-lit chambers.
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Trek through underground streams, climb over boulders, and see stalactites and stalagmites while hearing captivating Māori legends and geological insights.
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End your journey with hot drinks, cookies, and a chance to relax after your adventure, with free photos to remember the day.
More details
-
Enjoy an exclusive small-group Waitomo cave adventure with private access, away from the crowds, led by an expert local guide.
-
Gear up with helmet, headlamp, boots, and warm clothing before venturing underground to explore hidden limestone passages and glowworm-lit chambers.
-
Trek through underground streams, climb over boulders, and see stalactites and stalagmites while hearing captivating Māori legends and geological insights.
-
End your journey with hot drinks, cookies, and a chance to relax after your adventure, with free photos to remember the day.
10% off
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Experience the Hobbiton Movie Set and Waitomo Glowworm Caves on a full-day tour from Auckland with an expert guide for company.
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Explore Hobbit Holes, The Mill, and other film locations on a guided tour of the Hobbiton Movie Set, ending with a complimentary drink at the Green Dragon Inn.
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Take a guided walk through ancient caves and enjoy a serene boat ride under thousands of luminescent glowworms at the Waitomo Glowworm Cave.
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Opt for a private tour to explore at your own pace, or join a shared tour with lunch for a relaxed, all-in-one day without worrying about meals.
More details
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Experience the Hobbiton Movie Set and Waitomo Glowworm Caves on a full-day tour from Auckland with an expert guide for company.
-
Explore Hobbit Holes, The Mill, and other film locations on a guided tour of the Hobbiton Movie Set, ending with a complimentary drink at the Green Dragon Inn.
-
Take a guided walk through ancient caves and enjoy a serene boat ride under thousands of luminescent glowworms at the Waitomo Glowworm Cave.
-
Opt for a private tour to explore at your own pace, or join a shared tour with lunch for a relaxed, all-in-one day without worrying about meals.
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Take a 1-hour guided tour of Aranui Cave, featuring fragile limestone formations and deep-rooted Māori stories.
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Explore quiet, narrow passages filled with beautiful stalactites in shades of pink, brown, and white.
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Listen to your knowledgeable guide share Māori myths and the story of Ruruku Aranui, the cave’s discoverer.
More details
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Take a 1-hour guided tour of Aranui Cave, featuring fragile limestone formations and deep-rooted Māori stories.
-
Explore quiet, narrow passages filled with beautiful stalactites in shades of pink, brown, and white.
-
Listen to your knowledgeable guide share Māori myths and the story of Ruruku Aranui, the cave’s discoverer.
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Take a full-day guided tour from Auckland to see the Waitomo Glowworm Cave and enjoy a scenic drive through lush Waikato countryside.
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Explore Waitomo Glowworm Cave with an expert guide, see limestone formations, then cruise on a boat beneath thousands of glowworms.
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Your guide will provide commentary throughout the tour, explaining the cave formations and the lifecycle of the glowworms.
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Take 30 minutes to explore the Gift Shop or enjoy refreshments at Waitomo Homestead before or after your tour.
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Upgrade your Waitomo Glowworm Cave adventure with a Hobbiton Movie Set tour, complete with a complimentary drink at the Green Dragon Inn.
More details
-
Take a full-day guided tour from Auckland to see the Waitomo Glowworm Cave and enjoy a scenic drive through lush Waikato countryside.
-
Explore Waitomo Glowworm Cave with an expert guide, see limestone formations, then cruise on a boat beneath thousands of glowworms.
-
Your guide will provide commentary throughout the tour, explaining the cave formations and the lifecycle of the glowworms.
-
Take 30 minutes to explore the Gift Shop or enjoy refreshments at Waitomo Homestead before or after your tour.
-
Upgrade your Waitomo Glowworm Cave adventure with a Hobbiton Movie Set tour, complete with a complimentary drink at the Green Dragon Inn.
-
Explore the magical Ruakuri Cave and Waitomo Glowworm Caves with expert local guides and save 3% when you book both together.
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Journey through Ruakuri Cave’s twisting passages, crystal-lined walls, and flowing streams on a 1.5-hour guided tour with just 14 people.
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Glide silently on a boat beneath thousands of glowworms lighting up the cave ceiling, on a 45-minute tour led by a local Māori guide.
More details
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Explore the magical Ruakuri Cave and Waitomo Glowworm Caves with expert local guides and save 3% when you book both together.
-
Journey through Ruakuri Cave’s twisting passages, crystal-lined walls, and flowing streams on a 1.5-hour guided tour with just 14 people.
-
Glide silently on a boat beneath thousands of glowworms lighting up the cave ceiling, on a 45-minute tour led by a local Māori guide.
3% off
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Join a full-day small-group day tour from Auckland to see Waitomo Glowworm Cave, Te Puia’s geothermal wonders, and Rotorua’s city highlights.
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Explore Waitomo Glowworm Cave on a 45-minute guided tour with stalactites and stalagmites, then enjoy a serene boat ride beneath the glowworm-lit grotto.
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Explore Te Puia Geothermal Park with a guide, seeing geysers, hot springs, Māori arts, and the unique Kiwi bird up close.
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Drive through Rotorua’s most iconic sights, including Lake Rotorua, Rotorua Museum, Government Gardens, Rachel Spring, and the Blue Baths.
More details
-
Join a full-day small-group day tour from Auckland to see Waitomo Glowworm Cave, Te Puia’s geothermal wonders, and Rotorua’s city highlights.
-
Explore Waitomo Glowworm Cave on a 45-minute guided tour with stalactites and stalagmites, then enjoy a serene boat ride beneath the glowworm-lit grotto.
-
Explore Te Puia Geothermal Park with a guide, seeing geysers, hot springs, Māori arts, and the unique Kiwi bird up close.
-
Drive through Rotorua’s most iconic sights, including Lake Rotorua, Rotorua Museum, Government Gardens, Rachel Spring, and the Blue Baths.
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Similar things to do in Waitomo
About Waitomo Caves
Waitomo Caves offer everything from glowworm-lit boat rides and cave walks to dramatic limestone formations and underground adventures. Ideal for families, nature lovers, and adventure seekers alike.
The glowworms in Waitomo Glowworm Cave are unique to New Zealand and are scientifically known as Arachnocampa luminosa.
The caves were first explored by local Maori Chief Tane Tinorau and English surveyor Fred Mace in 1887.
Waitomo’s name comes from the Maori words 'wai' (water) and 'tomo' (hole or shaft), reflecting the caves’ watery passages.
Beyond the well-known caves, Waitomo area has hundreds of caves. Only around 10 of which are open for exploration, each with their own unique experience.
Glowworms glow not only for tourists but mainly to attract other insects. Their bioluminescence, created by their tails, lures insects to their sticky lines. They also use the glow to attract mates.
While there are paid tours, there are also opportunities to see glowworms for free. The Ruakuri Bushwalk at night allows visitors to spot glowworms along the trail using torches.
Why visit Waitomo Caves?
Plan your visit
Waitomo Glowworm Caves Visitor Centre Entrance
The main entrance to the Waitomo Caves is through the Waitomo Glowworm Caves Visitor Centre, located on Waitomo Village Road. The entrance is clearly signposted and features a modern, accessible building. Wheelchair access is available to the Visitor Centre and the first part of the cave tour, with ramps and accessible restrooms provided. Please note that some cave sections may have steps or uneven surfaces, so check accessibility details when booking.
Regular hours: Waitomo Caves are open daily from 9am to 5pm, with tours departing at regular intervals throughout the day.
Last entry: The last tour typically departs at 4:00pm. It is recommended to arrive at least 30 minutes before your scheduled tour time.
Ruakuri Cave is fully wheelchair accessible with smooth paths and ramps. Glowworm Cave has limited accessibility, while Aranui Cave is not suitable for wheelchairs.
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