Discover the hidden beauty of Aranui Cave, the smallest and most delicate of the Waitomo Caves set within a natural forest reserve on a 1-hour guided walking tour.
Highlights
Highlights
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Take a guided tour through the Ruakuri Scenic Reserve to see its magnificent cave, beautiful rock formations, and cave weta colonies.
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Explore the Maori legends and myths of Aranui Cave with your guide and discover their anecdotes and secrets.
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Get a glimpse of the long, narrow chambers of the Waitomo cave and the high chambers of the Aranui cave, as well as the white, pink, and brown stalactites that adorn this cave.
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Take a stroll at the Ruakuri Scenic Reserve for scenic walks among the native wildlife and an enchanted forest.
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Fun fact: The cave was discovered by a local Māori hunter chasing a wild pig. Ask your guide about this story - each guide has a slightly different version!
Inclusions
Inclusions
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1-hour guided tour of Aranui Cave
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English-speaking guide of Maori descent
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Small group of up to 15 people
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Photography allowed
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Entry to Aranui Cave
Cancellation policy
Cancellation policy
You can cancel these tickets up to 24 hours before the experience begins and get a full refund.
Your experience
Your experience
Why visit Aranui Cave
A magical, mystical place steeped in Maori legend and myth, Aranui Cave is a truly remarkable sight. This previously hidden gem was discovered by a local Maori man in 1910, Ruruku Aranui. Explore Aranui Cave by taking a scenic stroll through an enchanted forest at Ruakuri Scenic Reserve, 5 minutes from the visitor center. The only life inside Aranui Cave is a colony of native New Zealand cave wetas found just inside the cave's natural entrance. The cave has no river running through it.
What to expect
Enter the cave and explore the exquisite interior decorations. The best cave formations are found in Waitomo's narrow chambers, which can only be reached on safe boardwalks. There is nothing quite like the Aranui cave's high chambers, majestic limestone formations, and huge stalactites in shades of brown, pink, and white. This cave system boasts delicate, sparkling forms in pale brown, pink, and white around almost every corner.
Know before you go
Know before you go
What to bring
- 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).
Accessibility
- This experience is not wheelchair accessible.
Additional information
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Photography and video are permitted inside the cave.
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It's recommended to wear a warm jacket along with comfortable shoes as this experience involves a fair amount of walking.
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This tour is accessible to those with reasonable mobility.
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The experience is not accessible for wheelchair users.
My tickets
My tickets
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Your voucher will be emailed to you shortly.
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Display the voucher on your mobile phone with a valid photo ID at the meeting point.
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Please arrive at the meeting point 15 minutes before the scheduled time of your visit to avoid any delays.
Meeting Point
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Meet your guide at Visitors centre.
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Address: 39 Waitomo Village Road, Waitomo Caves 3977, New Zealand.
Get Directions to the Meeting Point
Getting There
By Bus
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The closest bus stop is Waitomo Glowworm Caves. It is a quick 1-minute walk to the meeting point.
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Board bus Auckland - Central to get you there.
By Car
- Take route 'New Zealand State Highway 37' and drive on Waitomo caves road.
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