Deep within the Waikato region of New Zealand's North Island lies the Waitomo Glowworm Caves — an intricate network of subterranean passages dating back over 30 million years. It’s not just any cave system; it's a constellation of shimmering glowworms native only to New Zealand, majestic rock formations, and ancient Maori legends. Its discovery in 1887 by Maori Chieftain Tane Tinorau unveiled a hidden world, forever etching the Waitomo Caves onto the map of New Zealand's must-see destinations. Did you know that Waitomo is a compound word in the Maori language meaning water (wai) and entrance or hole (tomo)?
Read on to find everything you’ll need to plan your perfect Waitomo journey. From choosing the right tour to discovering hidden points of interest, and other essential information— we’ve got you covered.
Waitomo isn't just a place, it’s an intersection of geology, biology, adventure, and culture. But with so much to see, where do you begin? Let's dive into the heart of this subterranean wonderland and the treasures you’ll uncover during your visit.
Depending on your choice of tour, you get to enjoy benefits like a guided tour of the caves led by a direct descendant of the Maori Chief who founded the caves, adventure activities like black water rafting or ziplining, and access to specific caves such as the Waitomo Glowworm Cave, Ruakuri Cave, or Aranui Cave. If your tour is from Auckland, you’ll enjoy luxury transfers with private transfer options, hotel pick-ups & drop-offs, additional sights, expert guides, complimentary snacks & beverages, and more.
Budget-friendly guided tour of Waitomo Caves with boat ride.
Inclusions 45-minute guided tour of Waitomo Grotto (if option selected)
English-speaking guide of Maori descent
Waitomo River boat ride
Small group of up to 15 people
Entry to Waitomo Cave
1.5-hour guided tour of Ruakuri Cave (if option selected)
English-speaking guide of Maori descent
Small group of up to 14 people
Wheelchair accessible
Photography allowed
Entry to Ruakuri Cave
3-hour guided tour of Waitomo Caves (if option selected)
English-speaking guide of Maori descent
Small group of up to 8 people
Snack
Hot drinks
Safety equipment
Warm clothing (thermals, fleece jumper, shorts, boots, socks)
Caving helmet
Full-day tour of Waitomo Caves from Auckland (if option selected)
English-speaking guide/driver
Small-group tour of up to 11 people
Round-trip hotel transfers from Auckland CBD
45-minute guided tour of Waitomo Grotto
Waitomo River boat ride
Snacks and water
Entry to Waitomo Cave
You can cancel these tickets up to 48 hours before the experience begins and get a full refund.
Adrenaline and wonder in one experience, perfect for gentle thrills.
Inclusions
3 or 5-hour black water rafting tour (based on option selected)
Underground tour of Ruakuri Cave
Ziplining, abseiling, rafting and tubing (based on option selected)
English-speaking guide
Small group of up to 8 or 12 people (based on option selected)
Helmet, light, and black water rafting tube (based on option selected)
Safety equipment
Wetsuits, socks and shoes
Safety briefing and training
Changing rooms with hot showers
Exclusions
You can cancel these tickets up to 24 hours before the experience begins and get a full refund.
Eco-conscious small-group cave adventure through the cave's quieter sections.
Inclusions
3-hour guided tour of Waitomo Cave
English-speaking guide of Maori descent
Small group of up to 8 people
Snack
Hot drinks
Safety equipment
Warm clothing (thermals, fleece jumper, shorts, boots, socks)
Caving helmet
You can cancel these tickets up to 24 hours before the experience begins and get a full refund.
Float, climb, and wade through Waitomo’s caves for a deeper dive into nature.
Inclusions
5-hour black water rafting tour
Underground tour of Ruakuri Cave
Ziplining, abseiling and tubing
English-speaking guide
Small group of up to 8 people
Helmet, light, and black water rafting tube
Safety equipment (footwear, tubes, wetsuits, helmets, abseiling devices)
Wetsuits, socks and shoes
Safety briefing and training
Changing rooms with hot showers
You can cancel these tickets up to 24 hours before the experience begins and get a full refund.
New Zealand’s only wheelchair-accessible cave steeped in Maori history.
Inclusions
1.5-hour guided tour of Ruakuri Cave
English-speaking guide of Maori descent
Small group of up to 14 people
Wheelchair accessible
Photography allowed
Entry to Ruakuri Cave
You can cancel these tickets up to 24 hours before the experience begins and get a full refund.
Perfect for LOTR fans, this tour combines New Zealand's most magical places.
Inclusions
Full-day tour to Hobbiton Movie Set from Auckland
Round-trip hotel transfers from Auckland
Small group or private guided(based on option selected)
English-speaking tour guide
Guided tour of Hobbiton movie set
Guided tour of Waitomo Caves
Boat ride at Waitomo Caves
Picnic lunch (based on option selected)
Live commentary (based on option selected)
Complimentary beverage at the Green Dragon Inn
Water and snacks
AC minibus or Mercedes luxury vehicle (based on option selected)
Entry to Hobbiton Movie Set
Entry to Waitomo Caves
You can cancel these tickets up to 72 hours before the experience begins and get a full refund.
All-inclusive day trip to Waitomo’s iconic glowworms with hotel transfers.
Inclusions
Full-day tour of Waitomo Caves from Auckland
English-speaking guide/driver
Small-group tour of up to 11 people
Round-trip hotel transfers from Auckland CBD
45-minute guided tour of Waitomo Grotto
Waitomo River boat ride
Snacks and water
Entry to Waitomo Cave
2.5-hour guided tour of Hobbiton movie set (if option selected)
Complimentary beer, cider, or ginger beer at Green Dragon Inn (if option selected)
Entry to Hobbiton movie set (if option selected)
You can cancel these tickets up to 72 hours before the experience begins and get a full refund.
Explore Waitomo’s glowworms and Rotorua’s geothermal marvels in one day.
Inclusions
Full-day tour of Waitomo Caves, Rotorua, and Te Puia
45-minute guided tour of Waitomo Cave
Waitomo River boat ride
1.5-hour guided tour of Te Puia Geothermal Valley, Rotorua
Visit to Puhuto Geyser, Mud Pools, and Maori Village
Kiwi bird-watching
English-speaking guide
Small-group tour
Round-trip hotel transfers from Auckland CBD
Snacks and water
Entry to Te Puia Geothermal Valley
Access to Kiwi Bird Enclosure
You can cancel these tickets up to 48 hours before the experience begins and get a full refund.
Smaller chambers than other caves for a more personal experience.
Inclusions
1-hour guided tour of Aranui Cave
English-speaking guide of Maori descent
Small group of up to 15 people
Photography allowed
Entry to Aranui Cave
You can cancel these tickets up to 24 hours before the experience begins and get a full refund.
High-speed ziplining through the scenic Waitomo countryside with aerial views.
Inclusions
Entry to Waitomo Caves Zipline Park
Expert guide
Up to 2 hours of ziplining
Access to 10 in a 1km circuit
Safety lesson
Safety equipment
You can cancel these tickets up to 24 hours before the experience begins and get a full refund.