Waitomo Caves

Travel Guide
Photo provided by The Mighty Waikato
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 $126 per night from Nov. 6 to Nov. 7
CA $126
CA $146 total
includes taxes & fees
Nov 6 - Nov 7
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! (108 reviews)
"Great location, quiet and lovely facility"

Reviewed on Oct. 29, 2024

Waitomo Village Chalets Home of Kiwipaka
Waitomo Caves Guest Lodge
Waitomo Caves Guest Lodge
3 out of 5
7 Waitomo Village Road, Waitomo Caves
Fully refundable
The price is CA $130 per night from Nov. 12 to Nov. 13
CA $130
CA $149 total
includes taxes & fees
Nov 12 - Nov 13
Stay at this 3-star guesthouse in Waitomo Caves. Enjoy free WiFi, daily housekeeping, and a garden. Our guests praise the helpful staff in our reviews. Popular ...
9.4/10 Exceptional! (408 reviews)
"Everything was quite lovely and the beds were comfortable we do wish there had been a simple egg offering however and the WiFi was adequate by the way"

Reviewed on Oct. 26, 2024

Waitomo Caves Guest Lodge
Woodlyn Park
Woodlyn Park
3.5 out of 5
1177 Waitomo Valley Road, Waitomo Caves, Waikato
The price is CA $186 per night from Nov. 10 to Nov. 11
CA $186
CA $213 total
includes taxes & fees
Nov 10 - Nov 11
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! (218 reviews)
"It was a pleasurable stay in the Train Car hotel for our stopover in Waitomo. Very cute and cozy. Had all the amenities we needed. Just recommend keeping the interior doors open at night to keep both the bathroom and kitchen/living room area warm."

Reviewed on Sep. 29, 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! (218 reviews)
"It was a pleasurable stay in the Train Car hotel for our stopover in Waitomo. Very cute and cozy. Had all the amenities we needed. Just recommend keeping the interior doors open at night to keep both the bathroom and kitchen/living room area warm."

Reviewed on Sep. 29, 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 ...
8.2/10 Very Good! (11 reviews)
"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! (22 reviews)
"Up on top of a mountain surrounded by a farm. Incredible views. Angus gave us a warm welcome. 10 minutes from the glow worm caves. We stayed in cabin 1. Rustic. A short walk to a private glow worm grotto."

Reviewed on Oct. 4, 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.

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Reviews of Waitomo Caves

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