Waitomo Caves

Travel Guide
Photo provided by The Mighty Waikato
Waitomo Caves
Waitomo Caves
Waitomo Caves
Waitomo Caves
This underground labyrinth of spectacular rock formations, with dazzling glowworms and enchanting acoustics, is one of New Zealand’s most popular attractions.

Glide over the ink-black waters and look up to the roof of the Waitomo Caves to see the twinkling glow worms. Take a walk through deep limestone chambers and listen for the eerie echo of the underground waterfalls. Experience the thrill of abseiling down to and tubing through the dark network of caves on a “black-water rafting” tour.

Waitomo Caves have been explored by tourists in New Zealand for over a hundred years. Most visits involve the Ruakuri, the Aranui and the Glowworm Caves, but there are about 300 similar underground limestone formations in the area.

Just behind the visitor center is the entrance to the Glowworm Cave. A 45-minute tour leads you deep into The Cathedral, so named for its near-perfect acoustic quality. A boat waits for you towards the back of the cave and will carry you into a smaller, darker area, which is lit up by the neon lights of thousands of glowworms.

If you want to visit the other caves, be prepared to walk west for an hour or to arrange other transport at the visitor center. Aranui cave is dry, and therefore void of glowworms. It has Gothic-like rock formations and a colony of native insects, the cave “weta”. Head to Ruakuri cave to take the two-hour underground tour, which begins at the spectacular spiral staircase and takes you for 1 mile (1.6 kilometers) past gushing waterfalls, vast caverns and further enclaves of glowworms.

Adrenalin junkies can book in for one of the adventure tours on offer. You can abseil down dark tunnels, climb along narrow ledges, ride a raft down the rapids and swim through rivers. Ask the staff in the visitor center for more details or book ahead on the website. The visitor centre has a café, exhibitions and a short film about the region.

The Waitomo Caves, a one-hour drive south of Hamilton, are open daily. Tours run regularly. If you plan to visit more than one cave, purchase a “Cave Combo” ticket from the visitor center to receive a discount.

Waitomo Village Chalets Home of Kiwipaka
Waitomo Village Chalets Home of Kiwipaka
3 out of 5
Hotel Access Rd., Waitomo Caves
The price is CA $122 per night from Nov. 24 to Nov. 25
CA $122
CA $140 total
includes taxes & fees
Nov 24 - Nov 25
Stay at this 3-star hotel in Waitomo Caves. Enjoy free parking, breakfast (surcharge), and daily housekeeping. Popular attractions Waitomo Glowworm Caves and ...
8.8/10 Excellent! (114 reviews)
"Great place to stay to visit the glow worm caves. Tavern was very close where the food & service was great."

Reviewed on Nov. 19, 2024

Waitomo Village Chalets Home of Kiwipaka
Waitomo Top 10 Holiday Park
Waitomo Top 10 Holiday Park
4 out of 5
12 Waitomo Caves Road, Waitomo Caves
The price is CA $105 per night from Nov. 25 to Nov. 26
CA $105
CA $122 total
includes taxes & fees
Nov 25 - Nov 26
Stay at this 4-star holiday park in Waitomo Caves. Enjoy free WiFi, free parking, and a garden. Our guests praise the helpful staff in our reviews. Popular attractions ...
9/10 Wonderful! (280 reviews)
"Great top 10, well set out well located"

Reviewed on Oct. 26, 2024

Waitomo Top 10 Holiday Park
Woodlyn Park
Woodlyn Park
3.5 out of 5
1177 Waitomo Valley Road, Waitomo Caves, Waikato
The price is CA $184 per night from Nov. 23 to Nov. 24
CA $184
CA $211 total
includes taxes & fees
Nov 23 - Nov 24
Stay at this 3.5-star aparthotel in Waitomo Caves. Enjoy free WiFi, free parking, and daily housekeeping. Popular attractions Waitomo Glowworm Caves and Woodlyn ...
8.2/10 Very Good! (219 reviews)
"Quirky properties, clean and comfortable. Some don't have air conditioning. Overall good."

Reviewed on Nov. 9, 2024

Woodlyn Park
Lowest nightly price found within the past 24 hours based on a 1 night stay for 2 adults. Prices and availability subject to change. Additional terms may apply.
Woodlyn Park
Woodlyn Park
3.5 out of 5
1177 Waitomo Valley Road, Waitomo Caves, Waikato
Stay at this 3.5-star aparthotel in Waitomo Caves. Enjoy free WiFi, free parking, and daily housekeeping. Popular attractions Waitomo Glowworm Caves and Woodlyn ...
8.2/10 Very Good! (219 reviews)
"Quirky properties, clean and comfortable. Some don't have air conditioning. Overall good."

Reviewed on Nov. 9, 2024

Woodlyn Park
Waitomo Woodlyn Park Hobbit Guest House
Waitomo Woodlyn Park Hobbit Guest House
Waitomo
Stay at this vacation home in Waitomo Caves. Enjoy cable/satellite TV service. Popular attractions Waitomo Glowworm Caves and Woodlyn Park are located ...
"Really nice property with some great surroundings and local attractions."

Reviewed on Oct. 21, 2024

Waitomo Woodlyn Park Hobbit Guest House
Te Tiro Accommodation
Te Tiro Accommodation
2 out of 5
970 Te Anga Rd, Waitomo Caves, Waikato
Stay at this cottage in Waitomo Caves. Enjoy free parking, a garden, and a picnic area. Popular attractions Waitomo Glowworm Caves and Aranui Cave are located ...
9.8/10 Exceptional! (23 reviews)
Beautiful cabin , view and grounds
"Beautiful location, grounds and cabin. So close to glow worm caves and have their own little glow worm grotto on the property. Only a 60 second walk from the cabins. Also close to a waterfall and black sand beach. Angus was such a gracious host who made sure we had everything we needed including ..."

Reviewed on Nov. 17, 2024

Te Tiro Accommodation
Lowest nightly price found within the past 24 hours based on a 1 night stay for 2 adults. Prices and availability subject to change. Additional terms may apply.

Popular places to visit

Things to do

Reviews of Waitomo Caves

4.5
Top destination
5 - Excellent
4
" "5 - Excellent 50%
4 - Good
4
" "4 - Good 50%
3 - Okay
0
" "3 - Okay 0%
2 - Disappointing
0
" "2 - Disappointing 0%
1 - Terrible
0
" "1 - Terrible 0%

4/5 - Good

Verified traveller

Pushing too many people in together in each group made it difficult for the guide to actually keep control of the group. Some people were loud, disrespectful, gross and just did not follow the rules. The boat was too full, other tourists rude.

5/5 - Excellent

Yrol

Book with Spellbound tours. Worth the cost as you get a much more unique and memorable experience!