по-русски
en Español (pronto)
Oddviser
adventure's step-by-steprecipes & lifehacks
How to ride a board on volcano in Nicaragua?How to walk inside the active volcano in Greece?How to feed flying dogs in the jungles of Thailand?How to cycle along the Great Wall of China?How to swim in the famous Trevi Fountain in Rome?How to ride a kayak along the canals of Venice?How to walk on the roofs of skyscrapers in Dubai?
Walls in the cave are covered with luminescent bugs that gleam blue.
The Waitomo Caves formed more than 2 000 000 years ago - oceanic waters washed out grottos and underground ways in rocks.
And only at the end of XIX century the locals made up their mind to explore the cave. They took hand-made raft and went down the Waitomo river into the unknown grottos and saw the grotto roof gleaming like a starry sky.
Arachnocampa Luminosa - New Zealand glowworms - live on the walls of the cave, they are the creatures that throw out the blue light.
And only at the end of XIX century the locals made up their mind to explore the cave. They took hand-made raft and went down the Waitomo river into the unknown grottos and saw the grotto roof gleaming like a starry sky.
Arachnocampa Luminosa - New Zealand glowworms - live on the walls of the cave, they are the creatures that throw out the blue light.
How to do?
1. Waitomo Caves are situated a one-hour drive from Hamilton - 75 kilometers southward down the state highway №3. The central entrance - just right at the road (Waitomo Village road, 39).
Photo: Cash desks near the Waitomo Caves main entrance, © Brent Solem
2. Besides the glowworm grotto in Waitomo you can also visit the longest in New Zeland cave tunnel Ruakuri Cave and stalactite Aranui Cave, and also you can go cave rafting. Combined tickets cost cheaper - mind it if you want to visit not only one site.
Photo: Aranui Cave, © Hannah Hsu
Photo: Descent to the water at the beginning of black water rafting, © Jaap Postma
Boats go to the gleaming cave every 30 minutes from 9am till 5pm, boarding on a first-come, first-served basis. The excursion lasts about 45 minutes - floating slowly down the Waitomo river you'll get to know the prehistory of the glowworm grotto and you'll see the cave roof light up blue.
3. You can have rest and dinner in Waitomo Homstead 9 kilometers eastward down the State Highway 3. Also there is a hotel and a theatre.
Photo: Cash desks near the Waitomo Caves main entrance, © Brent Solem
2. Besides the glowworm grotto in Waitomo you can also visit the longest in New Zeland cave tunnel Ruakuri Cave and stalactite Aranui Cave, and also you can go cave rafting. Combined tickets cost cheaper - mind it if you want to visit not only one site.
Photo: Aranui Cave, © Hannah Hsu
Photo: Descent to the water at the beginning of black water rafting, © Jaap Postma
Boats go to the gleaming cave every 30 minutes from 9am till 5pm, boarding on a first-come, first-served basis. The excursion lasts about 45 minutes - floating slowly down the Waitomo river you'll get to know the prehistory of the glowworm grotto and you'll see the cave roof light up blue.
3. You can have rest and dinner in Waitomo Homstead 9 kilometers eastward down the State Highway 3. Also there is a hotel and a theatre.
Where to do?
Waitomo cavesThe caves formed in the depth of the ocean millions years ago. When water waved back, limestone outgrowth, corrals, petrified sea fish and luminescent organisms remained on the walls.
5Location: 39 Waitomo Village Road (formerly Waitomo Caves Road)
Open hours: 9 am - 5 pm
Phone: +64 7 878 8228
Official website: http://www.waitomo.com/
Open hours: 9 am - 5 pm
Phone: +64 7 878 8228
Official website: http://www.waitomo.com/
When to do?
You can get into the cave every day: April-October from 9am till 5pm, November-March from 8:30 till 5:30. Boats get off to the cave every 30 minutes.
There are some additional tours at Christmas time (December, 26-31) - at 6pm and 7pm.
There are some additional tours at Christmas time (December, 26-31) - at 6pm and 7pm.
How much?
Boat excursion into the cave for adults is NZD 51, for 4-14-year-old children - NZD 23.50, for children under 4 - free.
Tips and hints
Put on comfortable footwear and warm outdoor clothes.
It's not allowed here to take pictures or video.
It's not allowed here to take pictures or video.
Reviews