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Waitomo Cave Adventure: Hidden Chambers Await
5.0
389 Ratings
Te Kuiti
Embark on an intimate, personalised, and eco-friendly adventure in Waitomo Glowworm Caving. Discover amazing glow worm displays, away from the crowds, with small group sizes and a family-owned experience.
Embark on an intimate, personalised, and eco-friendly adventure in Waitomo Glowworm Caving. Discover amazing glow worm displays, away from the crowds, with small group sizes and a family-owned experience.
Duration:
3 hours
Cancellation:
24 hours
Highlights
- Waitomo Glowworm Caves - Discover pristine caves, shimmering glowworms, subterranean rivers, and breathtaking limestone formations — all within an intimate, eco-conscious group.
- Waitomo Glowworm Caves - Discover pristine caves, shimmering glowworms, subterranean rivers, and breathtaking limestone formations — all within an intimate, eco-conscious group.
What's Included
- Guided caving tour with a knowledgeable local guide
- All necessary caving equipment provided
- Warm clothing supplied, including thermal top, pants, fleece, and more
- Refreshments with tea, coffee, and snack
- Complimentary photo email post-tour
- Authentic Kiwi hospitality experience
- Guided caving tour with a knowledgeable local guide
- All necessary caving equipment provided
- Warm clothing supplied, including thermal top, pants, fleece, and more
- Refreshments with tea, coffee, and snack
- Complimentary photo email post-tour
- Authentic Kiwi hospitality experience
What's Not Included
- Pick-up and drop-off services
- Public transportation (bus, subway, cable car, etc.)
- Pick-up and drop-off services
- Public transportation (bus, subway, cable car, etc.)
Additional Information
Most cave tours stick to the usual paths — ours does not. The Off the Beaten Track tour takes participants deep into a private cave system on our family farm, where they can explore hidden chambers and underground rivers far from the busy tourist routes.
Here’s why travelers love it:
Exclusive access — our caves are not open to the public, so visitors…
Most cave tours stick to the usual paths — ours does not. The Off the Beaten Track tour takes participants deep into a private cave system on our family farm, where they can explore hidden chambers and underground rivers far from the busy tourist routes.
Here’s why travelers love it:
Exclusive access — our caves are not open to the public, so visitors will see a side of Waitomo very few ever will.
Small groups, big adventure — with a maximum of 8 people, participants will never feel rushed or crowded.
Eco-focused — we’ve planted over 8,000 native trees, protect our glowworms, and run tours in a way that prioritizes the environment.
Genuine connection — guided by locals who’ve grown up on this land, participants will hear stories that bring the caves and farm to life.
Unforgettable glowworms — see them just as nature intended, sparkling above in complete darkness.
For those seeking a real adventure, away from handrails and crowds, this is the glowworm tour that will be talked about for years to come.
- Not suitable for elderly or those with mobility issues — involves climbing, hills, and wading through streams.
- Maximum of 8 people per tour.
- Minimum age is 12 years.
- Children under the age of 15 must be accompanied by an adult.
- A reasonable/good level of fitness is required.
- NO large cameras or tripods. Phones or pocket sized cameras are welcome.
- Safety First — if flooding means we need to cancel, you’ll receive a full refund.
- Not recommended for travelers with a low level of fitness
Location
1199 Oparure Road
Oparure Road
Waitomo has lots of cave tours, which can be confusing!
Don’t just follow signs to “Waitomo Caves” — as the district is large with many operators. Instead, enter 1199 Oparure Road into Google Maps and it will bring you straight to us.
Cancellation Policy
For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
Customer Ratings
5.0
(389 Ratings)
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Darryl_e
Jul 11, 2025
Fantastic experience, must see tour - Our experience was fantastic, our guide Ash was a perfect blend of knowledgeable, kind, easy to talk to, and was conscious of our safety throughout the tour. Having been to similar glowworm caves in the Waitomo area before, the tour with Ash and down to earth tours was incredible and far better than anything I could have imagined.
Review provided by Viator
Goplaces29571050267
Jun 30, 2025
An unforgettable adventure! - This off-the-beaten-track cave tour in Waitomo was everything we hoped for and more. Our guide Ash was just truly fantastic—knowledgeable, friendly, funny and made us feel completely safe, even as the river slowly filled up to the waist with rainwater.
The glowworms were stunning, the scenery inside and out was magical, and the tight squeezes through the cave added just the right amount of challenge. It felt like a real adventure, not just a walk-through.
They provide all the gear (including warm clothes), plus a hot drink and biscuits at the end. Highly recommended for anyone relatively fit and looking for something more exciting than the commercial tours—go when it’s raining if you want extra fun!
Review provided by Tripadvisor
T8205pgmichellem
Jun 28, 2025
Great start to seeing New Zealand! - This was a great start to my vacation! Having to change my clothes to participate was a bit of a surprise but I'm so happy I did! Ash, the tour guude, was so funny and his cousin Michelle were so friendly and welcoming. It was definitely a trek through rocks nd water that came up to my thighs, which I didn't expect, but it was well worth it to see the glow worms up close. Ash took some fantastic photos and I was shocked that I got access to them in just a few days. I HIGHLY recommend this tour to anyone who is up for an adventure. Also, having them provide tea and cookies (biscuits as the New Zealanders say) afterwards was a great finish to the tour!
Review provided by Tripadvisor
C3673nfmichaelap
Jun 23, 2025
10/10 👌 - One of the best things I’ve done in New Zealand!
The walk into the cave has a few tight spots where I felt a bit claustrophobic, so if you really struggle with that, keep it in mind. But honestly, if I could handle it, I’m sure you can too :) It wasn’t hard physically, and the guide was amazing, super patient, never rushed us, and gave us all the time we needed to get through each part.
My boyfriend doesn’t speak much English, and I really appreciated how I had enough time to translate everything for him. That’s the beauty of a small group and the personal vibe of this tour. Plus, we were laughing most of the time, the guide is super funny, which made the whole thing even better.
Thank you! :)
Totally worth every cent. If you’re thinking about doing it, STOP THINKING AND BOOK IT :) You won’t regret it.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Trip27427454256
Jun 7, 2025
Banger - Just a banger, it’s a little family thing that takes small groups to show the caves that are on their land the guide was great!
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Lesilieg2022
Jun 6, 2025
Amazing - Wow this was an amazing experience, I had a knee replacement one year ago. I didn't have any issues with this tour or walking to the part where you get in a boat. The paths were well maintained and not difficult at all. Our guide was the best. I would highly recommend going to see this unique attraction. So worth the time.
Note you cannot take pictures inside the part where the Glow Worms live they are sensitive to light and noise.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Sungchongi
May 29, 2025
Unforgettable Experience, Lead by a Great Local Guide - Excellent, and highly recommended - Small group tour (maximum is 6-8) with Ash, an experienced guide who is very friendly and helpful. All the needed equipment is provided, including cave exploration outfit, boots, and helmet with flashlight. Seeing the underground cave system was both humbling and awe-inspiring; the glow-worms looked like constellations on the cave ceiling. Overall, an unforgettable experience :)
- Sam, traveller from Singapore
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Chadb17
May 21, 2025
Nature meets history - Pretty amazing. And our tour guide was very knowledgeable. A good nature lesson. I’d do it again.
Remember… honor the indigenous peoples and no touching anything.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
I5143uvchristophers
May 14, 2025
Magical glowworm cave tour - This was a brilliant morning. We were in such good hands. Our guide, Ash, was informative and extremely entertaining, but most important of all we felt we were in safe hands.
We were in a lovely small group of 6. We were fully kitted out with clothes (which did get wet!), boots, helmet and headlamp. Upon our return we enjoyed hot drinks and cookies whilst 'debriefing'. The caves were beautiful and the 10 minutes we sat in silence and darkness with the roof of the cave lit by the glowworms was just magical.
The morning did involve wading through water, and clambering over and under rocks, but because Ash was so supportive it all felt very manageable.
The icing on the cake was receiving a lovely collection of photos which Ash had taken during our adventure.
Thank you Ash for a truly memorable morning, and also Michelle back at base for helping get us kitted out.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Alextanmd
Jul 13, 2025
Unique glow worms! - This is another subterranean lake? that is the habitat of the glow worms which are unique to some part of Australia but mainly in New Zealand!
These worms glow in the dark and they have this saliva substances which traps the insects that serves as the food of the larvae.
No pictures allowed inside but during the introduction there are some opportunities to picture these worms!
A nice experience since these insects are unique!
Review provided by Tripadvisor
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