Discover Waitomo’s hidden gems.
Waitomo’s visual splendour extends beneath the surface to a great subterranean network of caves. More than 300 of them are scattered across this sleepy farming district, roughly the size of Rhode Island, carved out of limestone by underground streams over thousands of years. A characteristic that lends the region its name, Waitomo, meaning “water passing through a hole” in Māori, the indigenous language. While the caves attract hundreds of visitors eager to explore, abseil, and raft among the caverns, their main allure lies with millions of tiny glowworms, twinkling like the night sky.
Ruakuri Cave is a marvel of modern engineering, featuring a long spiral ramp reminiscent of New York’s Guggenheim Museum. Designed for wheelchair and pushchair accessibility, it allows for a gentle descent to the cave floor. From there, you’ll navigate a maze of naturally worn tunnels leading to caverns packed with enormous stalactites and enchanting tiny blue lights.
Discover the original rock stars of the underground scene. For more than a century, glowworm fans have flocked to the Waitomo Glowworm Caves to see the dazzling light show. The glowworms also have some admirers in high places, including a Chinese celebrity couple who used them as the backdrop for their wedding photos. Daily 45-minute tours are available but be sure to book in advance.
Aranui Cave stands out for its intricate and beautiful limestone formations, remnants of the prehistoric waters that once flowed through these caves. While there are no glowworms here, Aranui Cave boasts the region’s most intricate cave system and impressive stalactites and stalagmites, including some with a pink hue.
For a truly thrilling adventure, try blackwater rafting through Waitomo’s cave system. This unique experience involves floating down underground rivers on an inner tube. The Legendary Blackwater Rafting Company(opens in new window) offers two exciting tours:
Waitomo Adventures(opens in new window) offers exhilarating caving expeditions, often beginning with a thrilling 100-metre abseil to the cave floor. The Lost World Half-Day Adventure is perfect for beginners, providing a few hours to explore the tunnels before you make your way back to the surface by hauling yourself up ladders and over rocks and craggy ledges – which is actually just as fun as the descent.
