Auckland to Waitomo Caves Tours

What to bring

• Wear non-slip shoes as the cave floors are wet and slippery.
• Bring a warm jacket as the temperature of the cave can be cool.
• When you visit, make sure you've got a credit card or your phone set up for contactless payments (like Apple Pay or Google Pay).

What's not allowed

• Photography and videography are strictly prohibited in the Waitomo Glowworm Caves.
• Smoking, food, drink or litter are not allowed inside the cave.
• Pets are not allowed inside the cave.

Accessibility

• This experience is suitable for guests with reasonable mobility, with well-maintained paths and sturdy handrails throughout. However, it is not accessible for wheelchairs or prams/strollers.

Inclusions #

• 45-minute guided tour of Waitomo Gloworm Cave

• Round-trip hotel transfers from Auckland CBD

• English-speaking guide/driver

• Waitomo River boat ride

• 2.5-hour guided tour of Hobbiton Movie Set (as per option selected)

• Complimentary beverage at Green Dragon Inn (as per option selected)

• Snacks & water

What to bring

• Bring your towel, swimwear, shower gel, and shampoo for the adventure.
• When you visit, make sure you've got a credit card or your phone set up for contactless payments (like Apple Pay or Google Pay).

What's not allowed

• Camera equipment, tripod, selfie sticks, and GoPro are strictly prohibited in Ruakari Cave.
• Guests aged under 16 years and under 45kg are restricted from participating in this experience.
• Smoking, food, drink or litter are not allowed inside the cave.
• Pets are not allowed inside the cave.

Accessibility

• The experience is not accessible for wheelchair users, pram/stroller users, people with mobility issues, people with back and neck problems, and guests who don't have a moderate fitness level or are too small.

Additional information

• Facilities: Lockers, changing rooms, hot showers.
• This experience operates only with a minimum of 2 guests.
• No prior caving experience is needed. However, a good level of fitness is required.
• You do need to be comfortable in the water. However, swimming is not a necessity. You will have a floating tube and expert guides for this experience.
• Your guide will take photos of you on your tour, which you can purchase after the tour.

Inclusions #

• Full-day tour of Hobbiton Movie Set & Waitomo Glowworm Cave

• Round-trip hotel transfers from Auckland

• 2.5-hour guided tour of Hobbiton Movie Set

• 45-minute guided tour of Waitomo Glowworm Cave

• Small shared or private group tour (as per option selected)

• English-speaking guide/driver

• Boat ride at Waitomo Caves

• Complimentary beverage at the Green Dragon Inn

• Lunch (as per option selected)

• Snacks & water

• Complimentary guidebook here

What to bring

• Wear non-slip shoes as the cave floors are wet and slippery.
• Bring a warm jacket as the temperature of the cave can be cool.
• When you visit, make sure you've got a credit card or your phone set up for contactless payments (like Apple Pay or Google Pay).

What's not allowed

• Photography, videography, smoking, food, drink or litter are not allowed inside the Waitomo Glowworm Cave.
• Oversized items including bikes, surfboards and your pet are not allowed on this tour.

Accessibility

• The Waitomo Glowworm Cave is suitable for guests with reasonable mobility, with well-maintained paths and sturdy handrails throughout. However, it is not accessible for wheelchairs or prams/strollers.

Additional information

• Children under the age of 7 must be in a child safety seat, as per the legal requirement in New Zealand.
• Children aged 14 and under must be accompanied by an adult aged 18 or over on this tour.

Inclusions #

• Full-day, small-group tour of Waitomo Glowworm Cave, Rotorua, & Te Puia

• Round-trip hotel transfers from Auckland CBD

• 1.5-hour guided tour of Te Puia Geothermal Park

• 45-minute guided tour of Waitomo Glowworm Cave

• 20-minute guided driving tour of Rotorua city highlights

• English-speaking guide

• Waitomo River boat ride

• Kiwi bird-watching

• Snacks & water

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.

Inclusions #

• 1-hour guided tour of Aranui Cave

• English-speaking guide of Maori descent

What to bring

• Bring a warm jacket as the cave can get cool.
• When you visit, make sure you've got a credit card or your phone set up for contactless payments (like Apple Pay or Google Pay).

What's not allowed

• Smoking, food, drink or litter are not allowed inside the cave.

Accessibility

• This experience is not wheelchair accessible.

Additional information

• Photography and video are permitted in the cave.

What to bring

• Wear non-slip shoes as the cave floors are wet and slippery.
• Bring a warm jacket as the temperature of the cave can be cool.
• When you visit, make sure you've got a credit card or your phone set up for contactless payments (like Apple Pay or Google Pay).

What's not allowed

• Photography and videography are strictly prohibited in the Waitomo Glowworm Caves.
• Smoking, food, drink or litter are not allowed inside the cave.
• Pets are not allowed inside the cave.

Accessibility

• This experience is suitable for guests with reasonable mobility, with well-maintained paths and sturdy handrails throughout. However, it is not accessible for wheelchairs or prams/strollers.

Inclusions #

Waitomo Glowworm Caves Guided Tour

• 45-minute guided tour of Waitomo Gloworm Cave

• English-speaking guide of Maori descent

• Waitomo River boat ride

Ruakuri Cave Guided Tour (as per option selected)

• 1.5-hour guided tour of Ruakuri Cave

• English-speaking guide of Maori descent

Offbeat Waitomo Glowworm Cave Small-Group Guided Tour (as per option selected)

• 3.5-hour guided tour of Waitomo Glowworm Cave

• Exclusive access to a private cave system on a family farm

• Expert local guide

• Small group of up to 8 people

• Safety equipment & warm clothing

• Snack & hot drinks

From Auckland: Waitomo Glowworm Cave Guided Tour (as per option selected)

• 45-minute guided tour of Waitomo Gloworm Cave

• Round-trip hotel transfers from Auckland CBD

• English-speaking guide/driver

• Waitomo River boat ride

• Snacks & water

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.

Inclusions #

• 3.5-hour guided tour of Waitomo Glowworm Cave

• Exclusive access to a private cave system on a family farm

• Expert local guide

• Small group of up to 8 people

• Safety equipment & warm clothing

• Snack & hot drinks

What to bring

• When you visit, make sure you've got a credit card or your phone set up for contactless payments (like Apple Pay or Google Pay).

What's not allowed

• Large cameras and tripods are not allowed on this experience.
• This experience is restricted for guests under the age of 12 years and over the weight of 120kg (264.55lb).

Accessibility

• Elderly guests or those with mobility issues are restricted from participating in this experience.
• This experience requires a reasonable level of fitness as it involves 2 hours of hiking to get to Waitomo Glowworm Cave, including climbing over boulders, walking up hills, and wading through streams with rocks underfoot.

Additional information

• Facilities: Shower.
• Caving equipment includes thermals, fleece jumper, shorts, gumboots, socks, helmet & headlamp.
• Guests under the age of 16 years must be accompanied by a parent or guardian.

What to bring

Ruakari Cave

• Bring a warm jacket as the cave can get cool.
• When you visit, make sure you've got a credit card or your phone set up for contactless payments (like Apple Pay or Google Pay).

Waitomo Glowworm Cave

• Wear non-slip shoes as the cave floors are wet and slippery.
• Bring a warm jacket as the temperature of the cave can be cool.
• When you visit, make sure you've got a credit card or your phone set up for contactless payments (like Apple Pay or Google Pay).

What's not allowed

Ruakari Cave

• Large backpacks are not allowed inside the cave.
• Smoking, food, drink or litter are not allowed inside the cave.
• Pets are not allowed inside the cave.

Waitomo Glowworm Cave

• Photography and videography are strictly prohibited in the Waitomo Glowworm Caves.
• Smoking, food, drink or litter are not allowed inside the cave.
• Pets are not allowed inside the cave.

Accessibility

Ruakari Cave

• This experience is wheelchair and pram/stroller accessible. Please note that the wheelchair and pram/ stroller should not exceed a width of 65cm due to the narrow passageways in the cave.

Waitomo Glowworm Cave

• This experience is suitable for guests with reasonable mobility, with well-maintained paths and sturdy handrails throughout. However, it is not accessible for wheelchairs or prams/strollers.

Additional information

Ruakari Cave

• Photography and video are permitted in selected areas of the cave.

Inclusions #

Ruakuri Cave

• 1.5-hour guided tour of Ruakuri Cave

• English-speaking guide of Maori descent

Waitomo Glowworm Cave

• 45-minute guided tour of Waitomo Glowworm Cave

• English-speaking guide of Maori descent

• Waitomo River boat ride

What to bring

• Bring your towel, swimwear, shower gel, and shampoo for the adventure.
• When you visit, make sure you've got a credit card or your phone set up for contactless payments (like Apple Pay or Google Pay).

What's not allowed

• Camera equipment, tripod, selfie sticks, and GoPro are strictly prohibited in Ruakari Cave.
• Guests aged under 12 years and under 45kg and over 130kg are restricted from participating in this experience.
• Smoking, food, drink or litter are not allowed inside the cave.
• Pets are not allowed inside the cave.

Accessibility

• The experience is not accessible for wheelchair users, pram/stroller users, people with mobility issues, people with back and neck problems, and guests who don't have a moderate fitness level or are too small.

Additional information

• Facilities: Lockers, changing rooms, hot showers.
• This experience operates only with a minimum of 2 guests.
• No prior caving experience is needed. However, a good level of fitness is required.
• You do need to be comfortable in the water. However, swimming is not a necessity. You will have a floating tube and expert guides for this experience.
• Your guide will take photos of you on your tour, which you can purchase after the tour.

Inclusions #

Black Water Rafting

• 3-hour black water rafting tour at Ruakuri Cave

• Rafting & tubing at Ruakuri Cave

• Expert guide

• Safety briefing, training & equipment kit (footwear, tubes, wetsuits, helmets, abseiling devices)

Black Water Rafting, Ziplining & Abseiling (as per option selected)

• 5-hour black water rafting tour at Ruakuri Cave

• Ziplining, abseiling & tubing at Ruakuri Cave

• Expert guide

• Safety briefing, training & equipment kit (footwear, tubes, wetsuits, helmets, abseiling devices)

What to bring

• Bring your towel, swimwear, shower gel, and shampoo for the adventure.
• When you visit, make sure you've got a credit card or your phone set up for contactless payments (like Apple Pay or Google Pay).

What's not allowed

• Camera equipment, tripod, selfie sticks, and GoPro are strictly prohibited in Ruakari Cave.
• Guests aged under 16 years and under 45kg are restricted from participating in this experience.
• Smoking, food, drink or litter are not allowed inside the cave.
• Pets are not allowed inside the cave.

Accessibility

• The experience is not accessible for wheelchair users, pram/stroller users, people with mobility issues, people with back and neck problems, and guests who don't have a moderate fitness level or are too small.

Additional information

• Facilities: Lockers, changing rooms, hot showers.
• This experience operates only with a minimum of 2 guests.
• No prior caving experience is needed. However, a good level of fitness is required.
• You do need to be comfortable in the water. However, swimming is not a necessity. You will have a floating tube and expert guides for this experience.
• Your guide will take photos of you on your tour, which you can purchase after the tour.

Inclusions #

• 5-hour black water rafting tour at Ruakuri Cave

• Ziplining, abseiling & tubing at Ruakuri Cave

• Expert guide

• Safety briefing, training & equipment kit (footwear, tubes, wetsuits, helmets, abseiling devices)