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Waitomo Glow Worm Caves
World renowned and a magnet for both local and overseas visitors, the Waitomo Glowworm Caves occupy a high placing in almost everyones New Zealand vacation wish-list.
The Waitomo glowworm, Arachnocampa luminosa, is unique to New Zealand. Thousands of these tiny creatures radiate their unmistakable luminescent light as our expert guides provide informative commentary on the Caves' historical and geological significance. Over your 45 minute guided tour, you'll take in the spectacular Glowworm Cave with its majestic and ornate cave decorations, the deep limestone shaft known as the Tomo and the equally magnificent Cathedral cavern where New Zealands own opera diva Kiri Te Kanawa once performed. Your tour guide will deliver an informative and entertaining commentary, sharing stories, cultural legends and the natural wonders of this living masterpiece. Your visit concludes with a brief, yet remarkably moving, boat trip through the Glowworm Grotto. |
Note: All prices shown are in Australian dollars (AUD) and include GST.
Waitomo Glow Worm Caves
Waitomo Caves
World renowned and a magnet for both local and overseas visitors, the Waitomo Glowworm Caves occupy a high placing in almost everyones New Zealand vacation wish-list.
| Date | Time | Adult | Child |
| 1/10/2009–30/09/2010 | 9:00 AM–5:00 PM | $32 | $14 |
Aranui Caves
Waitomo Caves
Aranui Cave is set in the Ruakuri Scenic Reserve, 5 minutes drive from the Waitomo Glowworm Caves.
It is named after Ruruku Aranui, the local Maori man who first discovered this previously hidden gem back in 1910.
Aranui has a natural cave entrance and is the smallest and most delicate of Waitomo's three main caves. As a dry cave without a river running through it, it houses very little life past its entrance. However, just inside the entrance is a colony of native New Zealand cave wetas and further into the cave is the most beautiful collection of stalactites, stalagmites, flowstones and decorative formations.
Aranui is a magical, mystical place that is steeped in Maori myth and legend. As such, it occupies a very special place in the hearts of the people of the Waitomo district. Visit soon to see the richly varied cave formations within close-up view and enjoy an experience you will never forget.
| Date | Time | Adult | Child |
| 1/10/2009–30/09/2010 | 10:00 AM–3:00 PM | $32 | $14 |
Museum Cave Special -Waitomo Caves
Waitomo Caves
A must see experience for every 'cave' visitor
The Waitomo Museum of Caves hosts a comprehensive collection of items relating to the unique cultural, biological and geographical history of Waitomo Caves.
FOSSILS
The museum holds an extensive collection of fossil bird, bat and insect skeletons. They are an extremely valuable resource, and the museum receives many requests for access to the collection from scientists wishing to study New Zealand's paleofaunal history.
PHOTOGRAPHY
The museum's photographic collection contains many images from the early days of tourism in Waitomo. They house a library collection on behalf of the Waitomo Caves Museum Society and the New Zealand Speleological Society. This is a unique collection of theses and other research material, books, journals, maps and reprints.
CAVING MEMORABILIA
The collection of caving memorabilia keeps you in touch with the stream of colourful, intrepid and very interesting people who have travelled from every corner of New Zealand and the world to explore the caves of Waitomo. Some have stayed and settled here, others have moved on leaving a trail of old photos and discarded caving equipment.
| Date | Time | Adult |
| 1/10/2009–30/09/2010 | 9:00 AM–5:00 PM | $34 |