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 centre 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 centre. 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 1.6 kilometres (1 mile) 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 centre 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 centre 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 S$139 per night from 16 Jan to 17 Jan
S$139
includes taxes & fees
16 Jan - 17 Jan
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! (130 reviews)
"Great family run chalet."

Reviewed on 9 Jan,2025

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 S$116 per night from 11 Feb to 12 Feb
S$116
includes taxes & fees
11 Feb - 12 Feb
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! (281 reviews)
"Awesome spot for family ! Highly recommend."

Reviewed on 15 Dec,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 S$196 per night from 18 Jan to 19 Jan
S$196
includes taxes & fees
18 Jan - 19 Jan
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! (224 reviews)
"Stayed in the train- it was so quaint and quiet and lovely. Low ceilings but otherwise perfect."

Reviewed on 30 Dec,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! (224 reviews)
"Stayed in the train- it was so quaint and quiet and lovely. Low ceilings but otherwise perfect."

Reviewed on 30 Dec,2024

Woodlyn Park
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 ...
10/10 Exceptional! (21 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 4 Oct,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

4.4
Top destination
5 - Excellent
4
" "5 - Excellent 44%
4 - Good
5
" "4 - Good 56%
3 - Okay
0
" "3 - Okay 0%
2 - Disappointing
0
" "2 - Disappointing 0%
1 - Terrible
0
" "1 - Terrible 0%

5/5 - Excellent

Verified traveller

There are plenty of places to see glow worms in NZ but the opportunity of visiting the caves and seeing the glow worms by boat was a wonderful experience.

4/5 - Good

Verified traveller

Great trip to the Glowworm caves. Need to choice the experience you go on carefully

4/5 - Good

Verified traveller

Well worth doing the glow worm cave tour. Huhu restaurant was very good.

4/5 - Good

Verified traveller

Shame no photos were allowed, even without flash.