- Close Icon
- Car Rental Locations
- Manage Booking
- Contact Us
Just beneath the Waitomo Hills of the North Island lies a maze of caves, sinkholes, and underground streams; this magnificent web of caves is commonly termed as Waitomo Caves. The entire cave network has been carved out by underwater streams over the span of thousands of years. The illuminated cave walls further add to the eternal beauty of Waitomo. These beautiful cave walls are embellished by galaxies of native glow worms. Note that though the Waitomo caves comprise of more than 300 unique caves, the most renowned ones are the Glowworm, Ruakuri, and Aranui.
Origin of the Word “Waitomo”: The word “Waitomo” is a combination of two Maori words- “Wai” and “Tomo”; “Wai” refers to water while “Tomo” refers to a hole.
The simplest way to experience the best of Waitomo Caves is either through a small guided walk or a boat tour. But anyhow, Waitomo Caves always has something more to offer to its visitors. That said, if you are an adventure seeker, you must try the unique experience of blackwater rafting-A special adventurous activity which allows the visitors to crawl, swim and even float through the caves in a thin black rubber tube. Nonetheless, there is as much to explore above the ground.
| Category | Details |
|---|---|
| Location | Waitomo Village, King Country, North Island, New Zealand |
| Famous For | Glowworm Cave Tours, Limestone Formations, Black Water Rafting |
| Best Time to Visit | September – April (warmer weather, longer daylight) |
| Opening Hours | Typically 9:00 AM – 5:00 PM (varies by tour provider) |
| Top Attractions | Glowworm Cave, Ruakuri Cave, Aranui Cave, Black Labyrinth Rafting |
| Recommended Duration | 2–4 hours for standard tours; full day for combined experiences |
| How to Reach | 2 hr 30 min drive from Auckland; 2 hr drive from Rotorua |
| Parking | Free parking available at Waitomo Visitor Centre |
| Ticket Prices | Glowworm Cave: approx. NZD 55–75; Combo tours: NZD 100–200+ |
| Family Friendly | Yes (Glowworm Cave & Aranui Cave). Ruakuri & rafting have age limits. |
| What to Bring | Comfortable shoes, light jacket, camera (no flash inside caves), water |
| Popular Activities | Guided Cave Tours, Glowworm Boat Ride, Adventure Caving, Photography |
| Facilities | Café, Restrooms, Gift Shop, Visitor Centre |
| Nearby Attractions | Hobbiton Movie Set (1 hr), Otorohanga Kiwi House (15 min) |
| Car Rental Tip | Book in advance; compact cars and SUVs are ideal for the region’s terrain |
