Things to do in Waitomo Caves

The guide was so fun and knowledgeable, and everything went smoothly. It was all so beautiful and immersive — I felt completely drawn into the experience. The only downside was that there were no photos, but honestly, that was also one of the best parts! I was able to be fully present and really enjoy it.

This expedition exceeded our expectations, and my son and I had a great time. Those 12 years and older can participate in the 3-hour expedition. Those 16 years and older can participate in the 5-hour advanced version. 1) Upon registration, you will need to fill out and sign some information, including whether you have any underlying medical conditions. 2) Then the instructors will gather everyone and remind you of the precautions. Our group had 11 people. 3) The instructors will lead everyone to put on the caving wetsuits, diving socks, and rain boots. Remember to bring your own swimsuit and wear it underneath. The site will also provide a fleece top (available in small and large sizes). Pay attention to the front and back of the clothing; the instructors repeatedly emphasized "inside out." It's normal for the clothing to be a bit tight. Remember to bring a towel; you can rent one if you forget. There were three instructors in our group, who repeatedly emphasized not to urinate inside the wetsuit and to use the toilet before caving. Swimming is not required. There are two waterfalls; you need to face away from the water, bend your knees, and place the lifebuoy under your buttocks. Hold the lifebuoy tightly with both hands and jump backward. The instructors will guide you throughout and will ask if you cannot jump and will explain other ways to get down. The instructor was very patient. I'm relatively short, less than 1.6 meters, but I was fine inside. The water was up to my armpits at its deepest point. Note that the underwater rocks made it uneven, with each step revealing a different depth. I'm not very athletic, and the instructor noticed this, so in some places she would have me hold onto her shoulders to help me walk slowly. Also, there was a larger person in our group who was quite afraid of diving, and the instructor took extra care of him. The scenery was absolutely breathtaking. When we turned off our headlamps, lined up, and sat in life rings, with the person in front holding onto the legs of the person behind, we looked up and saw a vast expanse of starlight and twinkling fireflies, marveling at the beauty. We went on August 17th, and the temperature inside the cave was around 15 degrees Celsius year-round, warmer than I expected. Afterwards, there were hot showers and tomato soup – so wonderful! This was the best experience of our trip to the North Island; my son was incredibly happy. This mother bravely accompanied him. The photos cost 26 NZD, definitely worth keeping.

I clearly booked the cave next door with the spiral staircase, but the following problem occurred. When checking out, I didn't enter according to the scheduled time and was postponed. I actually followed a Chinese group to this cave that an internet celebrity didn't book a month in advance. I thought it was okay, it was the same idea, I didn't bother to argue

This was such a lovely experience. Although a little difficult to spot the kiwis in the dim lighting, we did manage to eventually find them. Was great to observe them in their natural habitat and know that this sanctuary is working hard to protect these beautiful little creatures. The sanctuary is well run and well looked after. Such a pleasure to walk around and enjoy.

While the meticulous set design, the stunning Waikato rolling hills, and finishing up with a drink at the Green Dragon Inn provide a genuinely charming afternoon, the ticket price and time commitment can certainly feel steep if you aren't emotionally invested in J.R.R. Tolkien's universe or Peter Jackson's films. For die-hard fans, it's an unforgettable pilgrimage, but for casual sightseers, New Zealand offers plenty of incredible natural landscapes that require no prior fandom to appreciate.

This activity is a little thrilling, quite good, and very safe; I checked the safety belt several times. Originally, besides bungee jumping, there was also a skywalk, but due to unclear information in the travel advertisement, we only did the bungee jumping. There weren't many people doing it now. Afterwards, you get a free tour of the Sky Tower.

Overall totally worth the money! Be ready to spend about 2 hours if you want to walk through all three tracks (Walks 1, 2, and 3)—the scenery with the colorful pools and Champagne Pool is completely surreal. Important tip for Lady Knox Geyser: You have to arrive early and make sure you are there before 10:15 AM (it only erupts once per day, so don't miss it!). Give yourself plenty of time to drive over from the main park entrance to the geyser viewing area. Highly recommend adding this to your North Island itinerary!