Experience the best of Waitomo Caves

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Day Trips

From Auckland: Waitomo Glowworm Caves Guided Tour

See Waitomo caves, Te Puia geysers, & Rotorua city highlights on a small-group day tour.

Starting point: Start with hotel pickup in Auckland CBD, then enjoy a 2.5-hour scenic drive through South Auckland and the Waikato region.
Everything you get: Round-trip hotel transfers from Auckland CBD with an English-speaking guide, a 45-minute guided Waitomo Glowworm Cave tour with a boat ride along the Waitomo River, and complimentary snacks and water.
Sights covered: Waitomo Glowworm Cave, underground limestone formations, glowworm-lit grotto, scenic Waikato countryside, and a stop at Waitomo Homestead for shopping or refreshments.
Why choose this: See New Zealand’s rare Arachnocampa luminosa glowworms, explore stunning limestone caves, and sail silently on an underground river, all with expert commentary and comfortable round-trip hotel transfers from Auckland.
Upgrades: Extend your Waitomo Glowworm Cave experience with a Hobbiton Movie Set tour, complete with a complimentary beverage at Green Dragon Inn.

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7 hrs - 12 hrs

Guided tour

Transfers

Pickup

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Day Trips

From Auckland: Hobbiton Movie Set & Waitomo Glowworms Caves Signature Guided Tour

A full-day adventure from Auckland, exploring the magic of Hobbiton and the glowing Waitomo Caves.

Everything you get: Round-trip hotel transfers from Auckland, English-speaking driver/guide, 2.5-hour guided Hobbiton Movie Set tour, complimentary drink at the Green Dragon Inn, 45-minute guided Waitomo Glowworm Cave tour, boat ride under glowworms, snacks and water, lunch (as per option selected), & small shared or private tour options.
Sights covered: Hobbiton Village, Hobbit Holes, The Mill, Double Arched Bridge, Green Dragon Inn, Party Tree, Waitomo Glowworm Cave, underground limestone formations, glowworm-lit grotto, scenic Waikato landscapes.
Why choose this: Perfect for Lord of the Rings fans and nature lovers, this tour lets you experience two of New Zealand’s most iconic attractions in one seamless trip. Explore Middle-earth’s charm and the natural magic of glowworm caves — all guided by local experts, with comfortable transfers and thoughtful touches like snacks and beverages along the way.
Upgrades: Choose a private upgrade for a more personalized experience, or a shared tour with lunch for an easy, all-inclusive day.

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12 hrs

Guided tour

Transfers

Pickup

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Guided Tours

From Auckland: Waitomo Caves, Rotorua & Te Puia Guided Tour

Explore Waitomo Glowworm Caves on a guided day tour with round-trip hotel transfers from Auckland.

Starting point: Start your day trip with hotel pickup in Auckland CBD and a comfortable drive through the scenic Waikato region.
Everything you get: Full-day, small-group tour led by an English-speaking guide. Includes round-trip hotel transfers from Auckland CBD, 45-minute Waitomo Glowworm Cave tour with a boat ride beneath thousands of glowworms, 1.5-hour guided Te Puia Geothermal Park tour, and a 20-minute Rotorua city highlights drive.
Sights covered: Waitomo Glowworm Cave, Te Puia Geothermal Park with Pōhutu Geyser and geothermal craters, Māori Arts School, Rotorua city highlights including Lake Rotorua, Government Gardens, Whangapipiro, Blue Baths, plus scenic Waikato countryside.
Why choose this: Experience New Zealand’s glowworm caves, geothermal landscapes, Māori culture, and Rotorua’s scenic landmarks, all in a single, expertly guided, small-group adventure.

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11 hrs

Transfers

Pickup

Meals

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Guided Tours

Waitomo Glowworm Caves Guided Tour

Budget-friendly Waitomo Glowworm Cave tour with boat ride & stories from Māori guides.

Everything you get: A 45-minute guided tour of the Waitomo Glowworm Cave led by an English-speaking guide of Māori descent. Explore majestic limestone formations, then sail along the Waitomo River beneath shimmering glowworms.
Why choose this: It’s Waitomo at its most iconic; thousands of glowworms overhead, a serene underground boat ride, and a guide sharing tales passed through generations, all in one magical 45-minute tour.
Upgrades: Choose the 1.5-hour Ruakuri Cave tour for a longer, accessible underground walk, or the full-day Waitomo Caves tour from Auckland with transfers for a more immersive cave experience.

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45 mins - 7 hrs

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Outdoor Activities

Aranui Cave Guided Tour

A 1-hour intimate Aranui Cave tour through smaller chambers with stunning limestone & Māori legends.

Everything you get: A relaxed 1-hour guided tour through quiet, smaller chambers. Walk through Ruakuri Scenic Reserve to Aranui Cave’s hidden entrance. See delicate limestone formations in soft pinks, caramels, and whites, plus massive stalactites. Small-group access with photo permissions, while your guide shares Māori stories and geology.
Why choose this: This is Waitomo’s most tranquil and photogenic cave tour, perfect for explorers and photographers seeking a peaceful, intimate setting away from the crowds.

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1 hr

Guided tour

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Combos

Combo: Wai-O-Tapu Thermal Wonderland Tickets + Waitomo Glowworm Caves Guided Tour

Two iconic New Zealand attractions in one ticket: Wai-O-Tapu’s colorful pools & glowworm caves at Waitomo.

Everything you get at Wai-O-Tapu Thermal Wonderland: Full-day entry to one of New Zealand’s most spectacular geothermal parks. Walk scenic trails past bubbling mud pools, steaming craters, and vibrant mineral terraces, including highlights like the Champagne Pool and Devil’s Bath. Your visit also includes access to the daily Lady Knox Geyser eruption.
Everything you get at Waitomo Glowworm Caves: Join a guided tour through one of New Zealand’s most famous cave systems. Walk through limestone chambers filled with stalactites and stalagmites, learn about the cave’s history and geology, and end the experience with a peaceful boat ride beneath thousands of glowing glowworms lighting up the cavern ceiling.
Why choose this combo: Experience two of New Zealand’s top natural wonders in one seamless plan—wander Wai-O-Tapu’s vibrant geothermal pools and witness the magical glow of thousands of glowworms at Waitomo Caves, all with one convenient ticket.

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Free cancellation

Flexible

Guided tour

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Guided Tours

Off the Beaten Track – Waitomo Glowworm Cave Tour

Skip the crowds on a small-group tour with private cave access, gear & warm drinks.

Everything you get: A 3.5-hour guided cave adventure with an expert guide, exclusive access to a private cave system on a family farm, a small group of up to 8 people, gear and clothing provided (thermals, fleece, shorts, boots, helmet), and complimentary photos, hot drink, and a snack after your tour.
Why choose this: This isn’t your standard Waitomo cave tour. No handrails, no artificial lights, no paved paths, perfect for active travelers seeking an intimate, off-the-beaten-path experience.

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3 hrs

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Rafting

Ruakuri Cave Black Water Rafting Guided Experience

Short on time? Enjoy a 3-hour black water rafting adventure with expert guides.

Everything you get: A 3-hour underground rafting experience through Ruakuri Cave, including tubing along the river, floating beneath thousands of glowworms, and navigating gentle rapids. Expert guides provide safety gear and training before you begin. Warm up afterward with a hot shower and complimentary soup.
Why choose this: Ideal for thrill-seekers short on time, this tour delivers the essence of black water rafting without the longer physical commitment. You’ll still get the glowworms, the tubing, and the underground river excitement, all packed into a more manageable adventure.
Upgrades: Choose the 5-hour black water rafting adventure for a longer, more challenging experience packed with extra activities like abseiling, ziplining, and waterfall climbs.

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3 hrs - 5 hrs

Guided tour

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Combos

Combo: Ruakuri Cave Guided Tour + Waitomo Glowworm Caves Guided Tour

Glowworms shining above, winding caves awaiting below—two Waitomo tours, one ticket.

Everything you get at Ruakari Cave: Take New Zealand’s longest guided cave walk on a 1.5-hour-long tour. An English-speaking Māori guide leads you through spiral tunnels, underground rivers, and ancient limestone formations.
Everything you get at Waitomo Glowworm Caves: Hop on a 45-minute guided tour of the Waitomo Glowworm Caves led by an English-speaking guide of Māori descent. Cruise by boat beneath a ceiling illuminated by thousands of glowworms.
Why choose this combo: See two sides of Waitomo: a boat ride under a sky of glowworms and a walk through the spirals of Ruakuri Cave. It’s double the adventure, and you’ll save 3% while you’re at it.

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Free cancellation

45 mins - 1 hr 30 mins

Guided tour

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Rafting

Ruakuri Cave Black Water Rafting & Abseiling Guided Experience

A 5-hour Ruakuri Cave adventure; zipline, abseil, tube with expert guides & full gear.

Everything you get: A 5-hour black water adventure through Ruakuri Cave, including a 35m abseil, ziplining beneath glowworms, tubing through underground rapids, climbing waterfalls, and floating on fast-flowing waters. Expert guides provide gear, safety tips, and support. Snacks included, plus a hot shower and soup at the end.
Why choose this: This isn’t just one activity; it’s a multi-adventure underground journey. Abseil, zip, tube, and climb through a glowworm-lit cave with expert guidance for an unforgettable, adrenaline-filled experience.

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5 hrs

Guided tour

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Experience the best of Waitomo Caves

From Auckland: Waitomo Glowworm Caves Guided Tour

From Auckland: Hobbiton Movie Set & Waitomo Glowworms Caves Signature Guided Tour

From Auckland: Waitomo Caves, Rotorua & Te Puia Guided Tour

Waitomo Glowworm Caves Guided Tour

Aranui Cave Guided Tour

Combo: Wai-O-Tapu Thermal Wonderland Tickets + Waitomo Glowworm Caves Guided Tour

Off the Beaten Track – Waitomo Glowworm Cave Tour

Ruakuri Cave Black Water Rafting Guided Experience

Combo: Ruakuri Cave Guided Tour + Waitomo Glowworm Caves Guided Tour

Ruakuri Cave Black Water Rafting & Abseiling Guided Experience

Top things to do in Auckland

How Headout makes choosing experiences effortless

We curate the best ways to experience

We partner with the best

All the best options, in one place

Book with complete peace of mind

From Auckland: Waitomo Glowworm Caves Guided Tour

What to bring

What's not allowed

Accessibility

From Auckland: Hobbiton Movie Set & Waitomo Glowworms Caves Signature Guided Tour

From Auckland: Waitomo Caves, Rotorua & Te Puia Guided Tour

What to bring

What's not allowed

Accessibility

Additional information

Waitomo Glowworm Caves Guided Tour

What to bring

What's not allowed

Accessibility

Aranui Cave Guided Tour

What to bring

What's not allowed

Accessibility

Additional information

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Combo: Wai-O-Tapu Thermal Wonderland Tickets + Waitomo Glowworm Caves Guided Tour

What to bring

What’s not allowed

Accessibility

Additional information

Off the Beaten Track – Waitomo Glowworm Cave Tour

Ruakuri Cave Black Water Rafting Guided Experience

What to bring

What's not allowed

Accessibility

Additional information

Combo: Ruakuri Cave Guided Tour + Waitomo Glowworm Caves Guided Tour

What to bring

What's not allowed

Accessibility

Additional information

Ruakuri Cave Black Water Rafting & Abseiling Guided Experience

What to bring

What's not allowed

Accessibility

Additional information

What to bring

What's not allowed

Accessibility

What to bring

What's not allowed

Accessibility

Additional information

What to bring

What's not allowed

Accessibility

What to bring

What's not allowed

Accessibility

Additional information

#

What to bring

What’s not allowed

Accessibility

Additional information

What to bring

What's not allowed

Accessibility