What are the opening hours?

Monday 9:30am - 5pm Tuesday 9:30am - 5pm Wednesday 9:30am - 5pm Thursday 9:30am - 5pm Friday 9:30am - 5pm Saturday 9:30am - 4pm Sunday 9:30am - 4:30pm

Waitomo Glowworm Caves

Name: Waitomo Glowworm Caves
Address: Waitomo Glowworm Caves, Waitomo, 3977, NZ
Telephone: +6478788228
Price range: $$
Rating: 4.6

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Waitomo Glowworm Caves

The Original Waitomo Glowworm Caves and a New Zealand must do. Discover your moment of magic and add this to your bucket list now. http://www.waitomo.com
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Enjoy the world famous boat ride under thousands of magical glowworms and become a part of over 120 years of cultural and natural history.

21/09/2024

Ake Ake Ake
Kia kaha te Reo Māori!

24/08/2024

💚 What is Tiaki?

Tiaki means to care for people and place, embodying the responsibility to protect New Zealand’s heritage. At Waitomo, we share this kaupapa by following these guiding principles:

🌱 Kaitiakitanga: We protect our environment by implementing eco-friendly practices and conservation projects.
🤝 Manaakitanga: Our hospitality extends to caring for the land and its people.
👨‍👩‍👧‍👦 Whanaungatanga: Building strong community ties ensures a sustainable future for all.

Help preserve Waitomo's natural wonders by sharing your own Tiaki promise.

11/06/2024

Celebrate Matariki with a Magical Glowworm Experience! ✨

Embark on a journey that intertwines culture, nature, and celestial beauty with Discover Waitomo's exclusive Matariki Twilight Tours!

Here's why you won't want to miss it:

Bilingual experience: Immerse yourself in the significance of Matariki through a unique bilingual tour.
Twilight magic: Explore the Waitomo Glowworm Caves at dusk, witnessing the glowworms come alive.
Unforgettable memories: Celebrate the Maori New Year in a truly special way.
Join us on Friday, 28th June, Saturday, 29th June, or Sunday, 30th June, all tours start at 5 pm! ✨

Limited spots are available; book yours now!

05/03/2024

The outside of the is just as magical as the inside 😍

Shot by

28/12/2023

As we enter our busiest time of year, we strongly encourage you to pre-book your cave tickets as early as possible to avoid disappointment. Book online now by visiting waitomo.com ✨ 🐛

21/12/2023

Struggling to think of a last-minute gift idea? Experiences are the best gifts, so give them a gift they won't forget with a Glowworm Cave Tour! Visit waitomo.com to book now.

12/12/2023

Please note the Waitomo Glowworm Cave Visitor Centre is now a cashless site. We strongly encourage you to book your tour online, and please make sure you bring a contactless method of payment (credit card, Apple Pay etc) for on-site purchases.

04/11/2023

Congratulations, you did it! Click below for your 2023 The Hits Waitomo Trail Run times!

https://www.sportsplits.com/races/the-hits-waitomo-trail-run-2023

02/11/2023

We are 2 days away from the Waitomo Trail Run! For those participating, here are some important reminders:

⭐️ Make sure you check-in for your race at the Waitomo Homestead (584 State Highway 3) between 4pm-8pm on Friday, or on race day between 5:30am-12pm.

⭐️ 6km, 21km and 35km participants - Please use the free shuttle service from the Waitomo Domain to get to the start point of your race.

⭐️ 11km participants - Make your own way to Stubbs Farm (970 Te Anga Rd). There is parking available here.

⭐️ Prizegiving will be held at 5pm on Saturday at the Waitomo Homestead. Come along to celebrate your success, and enjoy some well earned food and drink with friends and family.

See you at the start line!

31/10/2023

The Waitomo Trail Run is happening this Saturday! We can't wait to welcome runners and walkers from all around the country to our region this weekend to show off the incredibly diverse landscape Waitomo has to offer 😍

Last minute registrations are still available - sign up at waitomo.com/whats-on

17/09/2023

Learn some new kupu (words) this Māori language week!

For the final day of Te Wiki o Te Reo Māori, we share the Māori word for the little critters that make our caves so popular! Titiwai can be translated to 'light reflected on the water.' There's nothing quite like looking up at a sky full of titiwai in our ana (cave). Come and have a look for yourself! ✨ 🐛

16/09/2023

Learn some new kupu (words) this Māori language week! Today's kupu o te rā (word of the day) is Ruakuri, the name of one of our caves. Ruakuri can be translated to 'The den of the dogs.'

According to Maori legend, Ruakuri Cave was first discovered 400-500 years ago by a young Māori hunting for birds, who was attacked by wild dogs just outside the original cave entrance. Later, traps were set by the war party to capture the dogs and they were killed and eaten.

15/09/2023

Learn some new kupu (words) this Māori language week! Today's kupu o te rā (word of the day) is hīkoi, which means to walk 🚶

Hīkoi one of the many walking tracks in the Waitomo area. The Ruakuri bushwalk is a popular short track which takes you through a forested gorge and under limestone arches. Hīkoi at nighttime to spot the glowworms illuminating the path!

14/09/2023

Learn some new kupu (words) this Māori language week! Today's kupu o te rā (word of the day) is taonga, which means treasure.

The caves are a precious taonga to us, and we are committed to upholding kaitiakitanga to preserve our taonga for future generations.

13/09/2023

Learn some new kupu (words) this Māori language week! Today's kupu o te rā (word of the day) is Pākeho, which means limestone.

The Waitomo caves are abundant in impressive Pākeho rock formations. Millions of years ago the Waitomo region was still under water. As the earth shifted, huge slabs of limestone were lifted out of the sea. Over time, water flowed through cracks in the rocks, widening these channels until huge caverns were formed, creating the caves we know today!

12/09/2023

Learn some new kupu (words) this Māori language week! Today's kupu o te rā (word of the day) is ana, which means cave.

We welcome you to explore three caves in Waitomo: Ruakuri, Aranui and the Waitomo Glowworm Caves.

Each ana has it's own unique history and cultural significance, as well as incredible formations and out-of-this-world landscapes 💫

11/09/2023

Learn some new kupu (words) this Māori language week!

Today we're starting off with a familiar word - Waitomo! Waitomo can be translated to ‘the stream which flows into the hole in the ground.' 💦🕳️

The subterranean landscape in Waitomo makes for a unique place - one that is very special to the people who live here.

10/09/2023

This week is Te Wiki o Te Reo Māori (Māori language week), an initiative to keep te reo Māori alive and strong in Aotearoa New Zealand.

The theme for this year is Kia Kaha Te Reo Māori - making the language stronger 💪🏼

Help make the language stronger this week by joining us on one of our te reo Māori full immersion tours through the Waitomo Glowworm Caves, where our guides will provide commentary in te reo Māori.

Book your spot now - https://tinyurl.com/d3bp2dpy

Kia kaha te reo Māori, Kia kaha Aotearoa!

16/08/2023

The Waitomo Trail Run 2023 is back and this is your sign to get amongst it! Register for Early Bird before August 25th you'll be in the draw to win your entry back.

Click on the link below to register, mark November 4th in your calendar and start preparing to challenge yourself 💪🏼 🏃‍♀️

www.waitomo.com/whats-on

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14/07/2023

Celebrate the magic of Matariki with our captivating workshops being hosted at the Waitomo Glowworm Caves! ✨

If you visit us over the next week, please join us at the gift shop for these complementary workshops.

13/07/2023

Mānawatia a Matariki (Happy Matariki) ✨

10/07/2023

🌟 Celebrate Matariki with our Twilight Tours! 🌟

Join us for an extraordinary experience as we celebrate the Maori New Year, Matariki, with our exclusive Twilight Tours. Discover the magic and significance of this celestial event under the shimmering glow of the stars.

Book online discoverwaitomo.com
https://tinyurl.com/4h8meu7c

03/07/2023

Matariki Twilight Tour at Waitomo Glowworm Caves

Ignite your senses and celebrate the magic of Matariki with Discover Waitomo, hosted at the Waitomo Glowworm Caves! Join us for our exclusive Matariki Twilight Tours from 5pm onwards on Saturday, July 15 and Sunday, July 16. Embark on a journey that intertwines culture, nature, and celestial beauty. Let the glowworms and the stars above guide you on a journey of discovery and inspiration. The tour includes a Kawakawa Tea and snack.
For more information and to book your Matariki Twilight tour https://tinyurl.com/8uxbz2jx

Address

Waitomo Glowworm Caves
Waitomo
3977

Opening Hours

Monday	9:30am - 5pm
Tuesday	9:30am - 5pm
Wednesday	9:30am - 5pm
Thursday	9:30am - 5pm
Friday	9:30am - 5pm
Saturday	9:30am - 4pm
Sunday	9:30am - 4:30pm

Telephone

+6478788228

Website

http://www.waitomo.com/glowworms-and-caves/waitomo-glowworm-caves?utm_source=facebook&utm_medium=social&utm_campaign=mai

Alerts

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Videos

Ake Ake Ake Kia kaha te Reo Māori! #TeReoMāori #MāoriLanguageWeek #GlowwormCaves #DiscoverWaitomo #BlackWaterRafting

Today’s word of the day from our Cave Tour team: Whenua 🌿 – meaning land. A reminder of the deep connection we have to the land and its importance in Te Ao Māori. #Whenua #TeReoMāori #MāoriLanguageWeek #CaveTours

Word of the day: Ana 🏞️ It means cave, and it’s where the magic of the glowworms happens. Ready to experience an Ana with us? #Ana #TeReoMāori #MāoriLanguageWeek #GlowwormCaves

When you’re afraid of the dark but nature has other plans. We promise it’s more awe, than ‘ahhh’!🌌 #GlowWorms #Waitomo #FaceYourFears

Titiwai 🌟 The Māori word for glowworm, shared by the Waitomo Cave Tour team. Come see the Titiwai – the starlike lights of the Waitomo caves. #Titiwai #TeReoMāori #MāoriLanguageWeek #WaitomoCaves

Waitomo: the name says it all 🌊 ‘Wai’ is water and ‘tomo’ means entering the earth, making it the perfect word for this place where water and land meet. #Waitomo #TeReoMāori #MāoriLanguageWeek #DiscoverNZ

Kaitiaki = guardian 🌊 Whether it’s our environment, our people, or our traditions, being a kaitiaki is all about protecting what’s precious, like our beautiful caves. #Kaitiaki #TeReoMāori #MāoriLanguageWeek

Manuhiri = guest, visitor 🌿 Let’s embrace the spirit of welcoming manuhiri this Te Reo Māori Language Week. Who’s visiting your whānau soon? #Manuhiri #LearnTeReo #MāoriLanguageWeek

Kia karakia tātou! 🙏 Starting Te Reo Māori Language Week with a powerful karakia to set the tone. Let’s celebrate, learn, and honour the richness of Te Reo Māori language together. Whakataka te hau ki te uru, Whakataka te hau ki te tonga. Kia mākinakina ki uta, Kia mātaratara ki tai. E hī ake ana te atakura. He tio, he huka, he hauhū The wind swings to the west, settles then turns to the south, settles down. Making it prickly cold inland Making it piercingly cold at sea. The glowing morning will rise on ice, on snow, on frost. Join! Gather! Intertwine! #Karakia #TeReoMāori #MāoriLanguageWeek

New Zealand's Best Kept Secret

Is this New Zealand's best kept secret? We think it is. 🤐

The awe-inspiring beauty of nature ✨ 🐛 #waitomoglowwormcaves #discoverwaitomo #waitomocaves #nature #travel

Don't miss out on this magical one-night-only Matariki Evening Event experience and embrace the Māori culture. There will be music and dining along with a tour where you'll float beneath a sky of glowworms. Book now to secure your spot: https://www.waitomo.com/whats-on/matariki-ki-waitomo/matariki-evening-event/matariki-evening-event-tickets

Today’s Kupu o Te Rā/Word of the Day is the name of a very special cave, Ruakuri. According to legend, Ruakuri Cave (rua meaning den, and kuri meaning dog) was first discovered 400-500 years ago by a young Māori man hunting for birds, who found it was occupied by a pack of wild dogs. #TeWikiOTeReoMāori #ReoMāori

Today we celebrate 'mōkihi', meaning 'rafting.' ✨ On our Black Water Rafting tours, you will abseil through our ana (cave), zip line through a titiwai (glowworm) studded cave, climb underground waterfalls and tube through fast-flowing wai (water) 💧 #TeWikiOTeReoMāori #ReoMāori