Waitomo Caves

Enjoy a slow-paced 45-minute tour through 250 meters of the Waitomo Glowworm Caves, exploring the ancient dual-level system.

Witness tiny creatures creating a celestial galaxy in the Glowworm Grotto with their radiant luminescence.

Walk through the upper chamber of the 30-million-year-old cave system, then sail through the lower level encountering glowworms and the Cathedral.

Care to explore more of this glowing haven? Opt for the 1.5-hour Ruakuri Caves tour, the longest underground walking experience available in this cave system.

Did you know? Glowworms found in New Zealand's Waitomo Caves are a unique species, and cannot be found anywhere else in the world!

Experience a 3 or 5-hour rafting tour inside the limestone caves as you float under a sky of glowworms.

Learn the basics of caving and gear up to weave your way around the rocks on an exhilarating journey.

Get the adventure of a lifetime while traveling through the caves, and jumping off waterfalls, and upgrading to include ziplining and absceiling.

Dig into complimentary refreshments on board and take your time to admire the surreal beauty of the caves.

Did you know? The Māori call glowworms "titiwai," which translates to "stars reflected in water."

Stroll through the solar-powered Ruakuri Cave, a natural wonder adorned with glowworms.

Venture down the dramatic spiral entrance and witness tiny creatures that make the cave sparkle like a night sky up close.

Join the longest underground walking tour in Waitiomo Caves and learn about the myths and legends of the cave from the local guide.

With photography allowed, you’ll be able to capture your memories of this remarkable underground world.

Did you know? Ruakuri Cave is one of the few wheelchair and pushchair-accessible caves in the world!

Join a thrilling cave adventure in New Zealand's Waitomo Caves and explore the amazing Ruakuri Cave's Black Abyss.

With an expert guide, learn basic abseiling and tubing skills and start exploring this intricate natural wonder.

Start your adventure by abseiling 35 meters down into the dark cave and then zip-lining through a narrow passage lit up by thousands of glow worms.

Have a snack break and then continue your journey by tubing under a dazzling sky of glow worms and rafting over fast-flowing waters.

Fun fact: Some of the cave passages are over 30 million years old, adding a historic twist to your adventure.

Take this 3-hour tour to hidden glowworm caves on a private farm far from the tourist trails. It's the perfect spot for a unique, quiet adventure.

This tour keeps things cozy with a cap of 8 people. It starts with a scenic walk through lush forests and the Mangapu Gorge, led by your guide.

Spend 2 hours climbing boulders, crossing streams, and exploring limestone caves. Inside, millions of glowworms light up the space in green and blue.

After your cave adventure, switch out of your gear and enjoy some well-deserved snacks with tea and coffee to wrap up your day.

Fun fact: Glowworms can actually dim their light! They control the amount of light they produce by contracting or expanding a light-emitting organ. See it for yourself at this cave (photography welcome!).

Join a guided day tour of the Hobbiton movie set and the historic Waitomo Caves formed over 30 million years ago.

Benefit from round-trip transfers from Auckland, experiencing the magical world of Middle Earth and the luminescent glowworms in Waitomo.

Explore the Hobbiton Movie Set, admire the iconic Hobbit Holes and The Mill, and savor a refreshing drink at the pub featured in the movie.

Discover Waitomo Caves' beauty, featuring age-old rock formations, and a boat ride beneath a canopy of twinkling glowworms.

Fun fact: The Hobbiton set has 44 hobbit holes, with the holes for the actors playing hobbits built at 90% scale, and the holes for Gandalf built at 60% scale.

Enjoy a scenic drive from Auckland to the magical glowworm caves in Waitomo, with round-trip transfers and a serene cave boat ride.

With round-trip transfers from Auckland CBD and snacks and water, this trip lets you enjoy the sights, hassle-free.

Explore Waitomo Caves' underground wonders, adorned with stalactites and stalagmites, on a guided walk.

Upgrade your experience to visit the Hobbiton movie set and live out your Lord of the Rings fantasy.

Did you know? Waitomo’s underground rivers were formed over 30 million years ago by volcanic activity.

Take a guided tour through the Ruakuri Scenic Reserve to see its magnificent cave, beautiful rock formations, and cave weta colonies.

Explore the Maori legends and myths of Aranui Cave with your guide and discover their anecdotes and secrets.

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.

Take a stroll at the Ruakuri Scenic Reserve for scenic walks among the native wildlife and an enchanted forest.

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!

Take in New Zealand’s geothermal and cultural gems on this full-day guided tour, combining Waitomo Caves, Rotorua's geysers, and Te Puia’s Māori arts.

Explore Waitomo Caves with your guide, marveling at the ancient formations of stalactites, stalagmites, and limestone pillars.

Discover Te Puia's geothermal marvels, including Rotorua's active mud pools and the Pohutu Geyser, the largest in the Southern Hemisphere.

Witness Maori craftsmanship at the National Carving and Weaving Institute and immerse in Maori culture with a visit to a traditional village.

Fun fact: Rotorua is surrounded by lakes, including Lake Rotorua, which was created over 140,000 years ago, and Rotorua in Maori means "second lake."