Waitomo Caves

Introducing Waitomo Caves

Even if damp, dark tunnels sound like your idea of hell, take a chill pill and head to Waitomo anyway. These limestone caves with accompanying geological formations and glowing bugs are deservedly one of the premier attractions of the North Island.

Your Waitomo experience can be as claustrophobe-friendly as the electrically lit, cathedral-like and extremely beautiful Glow-worm Cave. But if it’s adrenaline-pumping, gut-wrenching, soaking-wet, pitch-black, squeezing, plummeting excitement you’re after, Waitomo can take care of that too.

The name Waitomo comes from wai (water) and tomo (hole or shaft); dotted throughout the countryside are numerous shafts dropping abruptly into underground cave systems and streams. There are more than 300 mapped caves in the Waitomo area. The three main caves – the Glow-worm Cave, Ruakuri and Aranui – have been bewitching visitors for over 100 years.

Last updated: Sep 22, 2008

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