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Visit Waitomo Caves | Timings, directions & more

Waitomo Caves isn’t just a natural wonder, it’s a destination where adventure, culture, and underground magic meet. From drifting beneath thousands of glowworms to exploring Ruakuri and Aranui Caves or trying activities like abseiling and black water rafting, there’s something for every type of visitor.

Whether you’re seeking a full day of exploration or a relaxed family outing, this guide covers everything you need to plan your visit, including top top things to do, travel tips, and the best times to experience the caves.

Waitomo Caves timings & best time to visit

Guided tour group exploring limestone formations inside Aranui Cave, Waitomo, New Zealand.

Opening hours

  • Waitomo Glowworm Cave: Open daily from 9am to 5pm, with guided tours departing every 30–60 minutes. Each tour lasts around 45 minutes.
  • Ruakuri Cave: Open daily from 10am to 3:30pm, with guided tours throughout the day. Tours take approximately 1.5 hours and the cave is fully wheelchair accessible.
  • Aranui Cave: Open daily from 9am to 5pm, offering smaller group tours that run several times a day. Each tour lasts about 1 hour and provides a quieter, more intimate experience.
Person walking on a lit pathway inside Ruakuri Cave, New Zealand.

Best time to visit

Weekdays vs weekends

Visiting on weekdays offers a quieter cave experience with smaller tour groups and a more relaxed atmosphere. Weekends tend to be much busier—families, tour groups, and school outings fill the bookings fast. If your visit falls on a weekend, the earliest morning tours are your best bet for some serenity underground.

Best season to visit in

Winter (June–August) offers a peaceful underground experience with fewer visitors, while glowworms remain active year-round. Spring and autumn (September–November, March–May) bring mild weather and lighter crowds, making them ideal for exploring the caves. Summer (December–February) is warm and popular, but larger crowds mean it’s best to book tours in advance.

Where are Waitomo Caves located & how to get there

Glowworms illuminate Waitomo Caves' ceiling, casting a blue glow over the water on an Auckland tour.

Located in the heart of Waikato, around 2.5 hours south of Auckland, the Waitomo Caves are one of New Zealand’s most famous attractions. Visitors can drift beneath thousands of glowworms, explore Ruakuri and Aranui Caves, or add adventure activities and nearby sights for a full day out.

Address: 39 Waitomo Village Road, Waitomo Caves 3977 New Zealand. Find on Map.

  • By bus: Take InterCity services from Auckland to Waitomo Village. Most buses stop near the Waitomo Glowworm Caves Visitor Centre, making it easy to access all three caves.
  • By transfers: Many day-trips from Auckland include round-trip transfers directly to Waitomo, covering the Glowworm, Ruakuri, and Aranui caves along with optional nearby attractions like Hobbiton or Rotorua.
  • By car: Waitomo is roughly a 2.5–3 hours’ drive from Auckland via State Highway 1 and State Highway 39. It’s about 45 minutes from Hamilton and 2 hours from Rotorua, with ample parking available at all cave entrances.
Cars parked in a row under a clear sky in Langkawi.
  • On-site parking: Visitor vehicles can park free of charge next to the Waitomo Glowworm Caves Visitor Centre. The lot is conveniently located across the road from the cave entrance, and an underground pedestrian tunnel provides safe access without crossing busy traffic.
  • Coach & campervan parking: Dedicated spaces are available for tour buses and campervans at the visitor centre car park, making it convenient for group tours and road trippers. 
  • Accessible parking: Designated bays are available close to the visitor centre entrance for visitors with valid disability permits, ensuring a smooth and easy start to your tour.
  • Overflow parking: During peak holiday periods, staff direct vehicles to overflow areas, ensuring all visitors find a spot.

Top things to do at Waitomo Caves

Visitors on a boat tour in Waitomo Glowworm Caves, New Zealand, admiring glowing cave ceiling.

Glowworm boat tour

Glide along an underground river beneath thousands of glowworms illuminating the cave ceilings like a starry night sky. A magical, must-do experience at Waitomo Glowworm Cave.

Visitors exploring stalactites in Ruakuri Cave, New Zealand.

Ruakuri Cave walk

Explore New Zealand’s longest guided underground walking tour. Highlights include limestone formations, winding walkways, and the only wheelchair-accessible cave.

Family exploring stalactites in Aranui Cave, New Zealand.

Aranui Cave experience

Enjoy a quieter, small-group tour through chambers filled with intricate stalactites and stalagmites, away from the crowds.

Guided black water rafting under glowworms in Waitomo cave.

Black water rafting

Grab an inner tube and float down underground rivers with glowworms twinkling overhead at Ruakuri Cave.

Family exploring Waitomo Caves with a guide, part of the Auckland Hobbiton Movie Set tour.

Waitomo Museum of Caves

Learn more about the geology, fossils, and human history of Waitomo through interactive displays and exhibits.

Person exploring illuminated cave during black water rafting in Waitomo.

Caving Adventures (Spelunking)

Join specialist tours that take you deeper into less-visited parts of the cave system, squeezing through narrow passages and climbing underground waterfalls.

Know before you go to Waitomo Caves

Person abseiling in a dark cave during a guided black water rafting experience in Waitomo.
  • Photography: Flash photography is prohibited in Glowworm and Aranui Caves to protect the glowworms, and tripods are not allowed. In Ruakuri Cave, non-flash photography is permitted, but visitors must still follow guide instructions to avoid damaging formations.
  • Accessibility: Ruakuri Cave is fully wheelchair and stroller accessible, with a spiral ramp and wide walkways. In contrast, Glowworm Cave requires descending stairs and boarding a small boat, while Aranui Cave involves a short bush walk and stair climbing, making both unsuitable for wheelchairs.
  • No touching formations: In all three caves, avoid touching stalactites, stalagmites, or other rock formations as oils from hands can damage them.
  • Stay on marked paths: All three caves have designated walkways. In Aranui, be cautious on the bush track approach; in Glowworm and Ruakuri, stay on boardwalks and ramps.
  • Supervise children: Children should be closely supervised in all caves, especially in Glowworm Cave on the boat ride, on stairs in Aranui, and along the spiral ramp in Ruakuri.
  • Adventure activity safety: Adventure activities connected to Ruakuri Cave (e.g., black water rafting, tubing, ziplining, abseiling) require wearing provided helmets, wetsuits, life jackets, and harnesses, and following all guide instructions.
Hiking boots on rocky terrain in a desert landscape.
  • Comfortable clothing: Wear layers, as cave temperatures are cool and consistent (around 13°C / 55°F). Lightweight, moisture-wicking clothing works well for adventure activities.
  • Sturdy footwear: Closed-toe shoes with good grip are essential for walking on wet or uneven cave floors, bush tracks, and stairs.
  • Small dry bag: Keep personal belongings safe and dry during rafting or tubing.
  • Towel and change of clothes: Optional, but useful if participating in wet adventure activities.
  • Medication & essentials: Bring motion-sickness remedies if prone, and any personal medications needed.
  • Backpack: A small daypack to carry water, snacks, extra clothing, and other essentials comfortably.
Mid-range hotel room with double bed, bedside lamps, and seating area.

Explore a range of accommodations, from cozy lodges to convenient motels, perfect for relaxing and recharging after your adventure.

Budget hotels

Mid-range hotels

Luxury hotels

Hands holding a juicy hamburger with lettuce, cheese, and bacon on a seeded bun.

See the best restaurants, from cozy cafés to hearty dining spots, with this curated selection to enjoy a meal during your visit.

  • Waitomo Glowworm Caves Cafe & Restaurant:** Located at the entrance to the caves, serves roast beef wraps, bao buns, and BBQ pork sliders in a casual, family-friendly setting, perfect for a quick bite before or after your tour.
  • Waitomo Homestead:** Along State Highway 3, the historic homestead’s welcoming café offers country-style breakfasts, generous pastries, and classic Kiwi dinners.
  • Huhu Café:** Located in Waitomo Village, Huhu Café offers hearty dishes like braised beef with cauliflower purée, curried pumpkin soup, and cream cheese & chive croquettes, perfect for a flavorful café experience.
  • Tomo Bar & Eatery:** Within the local hotel, this relaxed pub-diner delivers gourmet burgers, steaks, and classic pub mains, plus frothy beers, cocktails, and kids’ specials, all served in a comfy, laid-back environment.

Frequently asked questions about visiting Waitomo Caves

How long should I spend at Waitomo Caves?

Plan for at least 2–3 hours to explore one or two caves and enjoy a glowworm boat tour. If you want to add adventure activities or nearby attractions like Ruakuri Cave or Hobbiton, a full day is ideal.

What tours and activities are available?

Tours include guided walks through Glowworm, Ruakuri, and Aranui Caves, as well as adventure activities like black water rafting, abseiling, and ziplining. Some require pre-booking.

Are guided tours available in languages other than English?

Some operators provide multilingual audio guides, but live tours are mostly in English.

Are pets allowed in the caves?

No, pets are not permitted to protect the delicate cave ecosystem, except for certified assistance animals.

Is there a mobile app for navigating Waitomo Caves?

There isn’t a dedicated app, but maps and guides are provided at the visitor centre. Check the daily tour schedule for times and locations.

Are the caves suitable for kids and families?

Yes, the café offers vegetarian, vegan, and gluten-free options. Always double-check with staff for specific dietary requirements.

Are there vegetarian or allergy-friendly food options at the visitor centre?

Yes, the café offers vegetarian, vegan, and gluten-free options. Always double-check with staff for specific dietary requirements.

Are there any age restrictions for tours?

Most walking tours are suitable for all ages, but some adventure activities have age, height, or weight limits.

Read more

Visitors exploring Waitomo Glowworm Caves in Auckland, viewing stalactites and stalagmites.

Timings

Adventurers in wetsuits and helmets navigate rocky stream in Waitomo cave.

Plan Your Visit

Person photographing glowworm display in Waitomo Caves, New Zealand.

Map

Passengers on a scenic bus tour from Auckland to Hobbiton, Waitomo Caves, and Te Puia.

Getting There

Information

All screenshots of maps found on this page are sourced from Google in accordance with fair use. All rights to such screenshots lie with the specific platform, and their use is solely for informational or guidance purposes.

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