Waitomo isite Visitor Information Centre

Waikato & the Coromandel Peninsula


Adjoining the Waitomo isite, the Waitomo Caves Discovery Centre has excellent exhibits explaining how caves are formed, the flora and fauna that thrive in them, and the history of Waitomo’s caves and cave exploration.


Lonely Planet's must-see attractions

Nearby Waikato & the Coromandel Peninsula attractions

1. Waitomo Caves Visitor Centre

0.3 MILES

The big-three Waitomo Caves are all operated by the same company, based at the spectacular Waitomo Caves Visitor Centre (near the Glowworm Cave). Various…

2. Glowworm Cave

0.36 MILES

The guided tour of the Glowworm Cave, which is behind the visitor centre, leads past impressive stalactites and stalagmites into a large cavern known as…

3. Opapake Pa

0.58 MILES

Near Waitomo Adventures, a steep 20-minute walk leads through bush then along farmland to the abandoned Opapake Pa, where terraces and kumara pits are…

4. Aranui Cave

1.54 MILES

Three kilometres west from the Glowworm Cave is Aranui Cave. This cave is dry (hence no glowworms) but compensates with an incredible array of limestone…

5. Ruakuri Cave

1.8 MILES

Ruakuri Cave has an impressive 15m-high spiral staircase, bypassing a Māori burial site at the cave entrance. Tours lead through 1.6km of the 7.5km system…

6. Te Kuititanga-O-Nga-Whakaaro

5.85 MILES

Te Kuititanga-O-Nga-Whakaaro is a beautiful pavilion of etched-glass, tukutuku (woven flax panels) and wooden carvings that celebrates the town’s history.

7. Meads Brothers Exhibition

5.97 MILES

Located in the same building as the Te Kuiti i-SITE, this interesting exhibition of sporting memorabilia is a tribute to Sir Colin Meads and his brother…

8. Sir Colin Meads Statue

5.99 MILES

This statue commemorates the late Sir Colin Meads, a legendary captain of the All Blacks, and regarded as one of New Zealand's finest rugby players…