Things to do in Waitomo Caves

2026 Global 50 - Cool Water Escapes

Waitomo Glowworm Caves

The Waitomo Glowworm Caves are limestone caves in the western mountainous area of New Zealand's North Island and an attraction in New Zealand. In Māori, Waitomo means water flowing into a hole. On the cave walls, scattered green points of light layer upon layer, these green glows flicker on the pitch-black water surface, doubling the light and shadow—this is a wondrous world belonging to green sprites. 1.Glowworm caveMainly composed of three distinctive caves, Waitomo Glowworm Caves,Ruakuri cave and Ala Nuoyi cave. Waitomo Glowworm Caves is a limestone cave with a history of over 10,000 years. Originally, there was a small frozen lake on the mountain above the cave. After the ice and snow melted, the water flowed into the rock crevices below and gradually eroded to form the cave as it is today. The Cathedral Cave inside Waitomo Glowworm Caves is a massive rock chamber renowned for its spatial echoes.Ruakuri caveIt is a legendary underground karst cave where you can hear the sound of an underground waterfall.Ala Nuoyi caveThe entrance is the visitor center, and the arched canopy with a membrane structure is quite impressive. 2. To tour the cave with thousands of glowworms, you need to take a small boat into the depths of the cave. Once seated and settled on the boat, the guide will pull the overhead guide rope to propel the boat forward. The strange points of light in the cave are the glow emitted by thousands of glowworms. You will notice patches of greenish-white light on the rocks. Look closely, and beneath the glow are uneven, translucent threads hanging from the cave ceiling. On these threads are crystal-clear droplets like strings of crystal beads. These beautiful, mucus-coated threads are the glowworms' fishing lines, used to attract and prey on insects drawn to the light.

No. 4 of Best Things to Do in Waikato

The Legendary Black Water Rafting Co, Waitomo

The legendary black water rafting activity at Waitomo Caves is a unique and exciting adventure experience on New Zealand's North Island, attracting many adventure lovers with its mysterious underground landscape and unique activity format. Waitomo Caves is famous for its spectacular stalactites and glowworms, and black water rafting provides visitors with a new perspective to explore this natural wonder. Black water rafting is a comprehensive adventure activity that combines rafting, climbing and walking. Participants put on wetsuits, sit on rubber tires, and float along the underground river, enjoying the brilliant glow of the glowworms in the cave along the way. These glowworms form a starry sky on the top of the cave, adding a mysterious and romantic color to the entire adventure. During the activity, professional guides will lead the team through narrow passages and underground waterfalls to ensure the safety of each participant. The guides will also share interesting knowledge about the formation of the cave, geological features and glowworm ecology, making the whole journey not only exciting but also educational.

No. 11 of Best Things to Do in Waikato

Ruakuri Cave

Ruakuri Cave is Waitomo's legendary underground cave. According to Maori legend, the Ruakuli Caves were discovered 400-500 years ago by a young Maori who was hunting birds. Enter the cave along the magnificent spiral descent into the cave, and listen to the sound of the underground waterfall in the distance. Get up close and personal with ancient fireflies and learn about their fascinating lives. Visit breathtaking caves that took millions of years to form, shawl-like limestone formations with soft folds and unique crystal tapestries.

Otorohanga Kiwi House

2026 Global 100 - Best Things to Do

Hobbiton™ Movie Set Tours

Join us and experience the real Middle-earth™ at the Hobbiton Movie Set, where, in the heart of the Waikato region, you can step into the lush pastures of the Shire™, as seen in The Lord of the Rings and The Hobbit film trilogies.Fall in love with the Alexander family sheep farm, just as acclaimed director Sir Peter Jackson did, as you journey on a short bus ride through the unequivocal beauty of the land, with the mighty Kaimai Ranges towering in the distance. Your guide will escort you on a shared walking tour around the movie set, showcasing the intricate details, pointing out the most famous locations and explaining how movie magic was made here. △ Immerse yourself in the fairy tale town of The Hobbit △ Ejoy the fenced garden and the mirror lake △ Admire New Zealand's stunning scenery

Ruakuri Bushwalk

2026 Global 100 - Night Attractions

Sky Tower

As an iconic landmark of Auckland, the Sky Tower stands 328 m tall and is connected to other buildings, forming a massive city in the sky. The Sky Tower features three transparent elevators traveling at 18 km per hour, reaching the observation deck in just 40 seconds to overlook the entire Auckland cityscape. In the evening, you can enjoy the beautiful sunset and Auckland's night views. Beyond regular sightseeing, the tower also offers a range of high-altitude experiences. SkyWalk lets visitors walk on a handrail-free walkway around the tower exterior at 192 m high, led by a professional guide and secured with safety ropes, suitable for thrill-seekers. SkyJump involves jumping from 192 m along a guide cable, with descent speeds reaching approximately 85 km per hour. Group visitors can also join the Skyline climb activity, reaching about 300 m to overlook the city up close. Ascending the tower in the evening allows you to enjoy both the sunset and the city's night views in transition, with Auckland's skyline under changing light presenting a distinctive scene. △ Climb the 328 m Sky Tower △Overlooking the beautiful city night view △ Take on more exciting projects

The Waitomo Experience

Top-rated glowworm cave adventure in Waitomo. You will explore an exclusive private cave in a small group, float beneath thousands of glowworms, and relax in a cedar hot tub. Exclusive private cave, float beneath thousands of glowworms, and relax in a cedar hot tub. Led by a guide, ride a raft through an underground river beneath a cave ceiling lit by thousands of glowworms. You will hike, climb, wade, and swim through spectacular limestone passages, finally arriving in native bush—an unforgettable journey few get to experience.

No. 4 of Best Things to Do in North Island

Waiotapu Thermal Wonderland

Waiotapu Thermal Wonderland is located south of Rotorua. Wai-o-Tapu means "sacred waters" in Maori and is one of the area's well-known geothermal regions. The wonderland centers on the Taupo Volcanic Zone, where volcanic activity is frequent, and a walking trail of approx. 3 km guides visitors to various interesting attractions along the way. Hot springs, mud pools, and geysers of diverse forms are distributed throughout the area, and the signature views are the beautiful Champagne Pool and Lady Knox Geyser. The Lady Knox Geyser erupts in a water column up to 20 m high. In addition, the constantly churning and bubbling mud pools, the colorful Palette, and the fluorescent green Devil's Bath each have their own distinctive character, and information boards along the trail introduce how the various geothermal landforms were formed. During the visit, do not enter areas marked with warning signs; the geothermal ground surface is extremely hot, and straying from the route poses safety hazards.

Waitomo Caves Museum and Discovery Centre