NZ · Waikato · 38.26°S 175.10°E

waitomo glowworm caves

A dark boat ride under glowworms, with limestone caves and forest walks nearby.

Best time
Any time; the caves stay cool all year. October–April is milder for the walks outside, with January the busiest month, and heavy rain can cancel boat and black-water rafting trips.
How long
1 day
Getting there
Fly direct to Auckland in about 10 hours, then drive about 2.5–3 hours south. New Zealand is 4 hours ahead of KL, 5 during daylight saving (late September to early April).
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NZ · Waikatowaitomo glowworm caves38.26°S 175.10°Egowherelah.com
Dear group chat,A dark boat ride under glowworms, with limestone caves and forest walks nearby.— gowherelahTo: whoever’s drivingWaitomo Glowworm CavesNZ, Waikato
KLwaitomo glowworm caves
≈ 8,790 km from KL, as the crow flies
Exit of the Waitomo glowworm cave

Photo: Bgabel · CC BY-SA 3.0

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Photos: Wikimedia Commons, credited on each.

Waitomo's Glowworm Caves are famous for one thing: a silent boat ride under a ceiling of thousands of tiny blue lights. Nearby caves and bush walks make it worth more than a quick stop between Auckland and Rotorua.

Makan

  1. Village caféSimple lunches at the cave village between tours.Map ↗
  2. Packed picnicHamilton and Otorohanga, on the way down, are the places to buy supplies.Map ↗

Things to do

  1. Glowworm boat rideA guided walk through the cave, then a boat glides in total silence beneath the glowworm grotto.Map ↗
  2. Ruakuri CaveA spiral ramp leads into a longer cave of limestone formations, underground streams and more glowworms.Map ↗
  3. Aranui CaveA dry cave known for delicate limestone formations rather than glowworms.Map ↗
  4. Black-water raftingFloating through the caves on an inner tube, in a wetsuit, under the glowworms.Map ↗
  5. Ruakuri bush walkA free forest loop past limestone arches and tunnels, with glowworms on the banks at night.Map ↗

Good to know

  • Photos aren't allowed inside the Glowworm Caves.
  • Black-water rafting is cold and involves some tight squeezes; the boat tour suits all ages.
  • Halal food is hard to find in Waitomo, so pack lunch in Auckland, where it's easy.

Last checked October 2026. Things change, so check opening times, fees and transport before you go.