Waitomo Glowworm Caves

Tourist attraction
★ 4.9 (6K+ reviews) • 116K+ booked
Embark on a mesmerizing journey to the enchanting Waitomo Glowworm Caves in New Zealand, where nature's luminescent spectacle awaits. Discover the magical world of Arachnocampa luminosa, the glowworm species exclusive to New Zealand, illuminating the underground caves with their ethereal glow.
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Waitomo Glowworm Caves, Waitomo Caves, Waikato, New Zealand

The best of Waitomo Glowworm Caves

Bucket-list experiences

Hobbiton and Waitomo Glowworm Caves Day Tour from Auckland

Hobbiton and Waitomo Glowworm Caves Day Tour from Auckland

Free cancellation
Instant confirmation
★ 4.4 (18)
US$ 271.39
Hobbiton and Waitomo Glowworm Cave Private Tour

Hobbiton and Waitomo Glowworm Cave Private Tour

Private group
Free cancellation
US$ 375.99
Glowworm Cave Private Tour with Guide from Waitomo

Glowworm Cave Private Tour with Guide from Waitomo

Private group
Free cancellation
Instant confirmation
US$ 508.29
Waitomo Glowworm and Cave Explorer Small Group Tour From Auckland

Waitomo Glowworm and Cave Explorer Small Group Tour From Auckland

Free cancellation
Instant confirmation
★ 5.0 (2)
US$ 166.79
Hobbiton Guided Day Tour

Hobbiton Guided Day Tour

Bestseller
Hotel pick-up
Small group
★ 4.7 (2,991)
From US$ 69.89
Hobbiton and Waitomo Caves Tour

Hobbiton and Waitomo Caves Tour

Free cancellation
Instant confirmation
★ 4.5 (350)
US$ 235.20
Private Hobbiton Day Tour with Guide

Private Hobbiton Day Tour with Guide

Private group
Free cancellation
★ 4.8 (36)
From US$ 106.75
Hobbiton and Waitomo Caves Full Day Tour from Auckland

Hobbiton and Waitomo Caves Full Day Tour from Auckland

Free cancellation
Instant confirmation
★ 4.8 (67)
US$ 220.75
Hobbiton Movie Set Guided Tour

Hobbiton Movie Set Guided Tour

Bestseller
Free cancellation
Instant confirmation
★ 4.7 (1,845)
From US$ 67.85
Waitomo and Rotorua Day Tour from Auckland with Te Puia

Waitomo and Rotorua Day Tour from Auckland with Te Puia

Free cancellation
Instant confirmation
★ 4.8 (66)
US$ 225.59
Hobbiton & Waitomo Day Tour from Auckland to Rotorua

Hobbiton & Waitomo Day Tour from Auckland to Rotorua

Free cancellation
Instant confirmation
★ 4.6 (16)
US$ 235.20
Off the Beaten Track Glow Worm Guided Eco Tour in Waitomo

Off the Beaten Track Glow Worm Guided Eco Tour in Waitomo

Free cancellation
Instant confirmation
★ 5.0 (27)
US$ 106.85

Make it a getaway

Waitomo Top 10 Holiday Park

Waitomo Top 10 Holiday Park

Instant confirmation
★ 4.5 (282)
From US$ 81.35
Woodlyn Park

Woodlyn Park

Instant confirmation
★ 4.1
From US$ 109.37
Caves Motor Inn

Caves Motor Inn

Instant confirmation
★ 4.0
From US$ 79.49
Glowworm Motel

Glowworm Motel

Instant confirmation
★ 4.0
From US$ 63.85

Why people love Waitomo Glowworm Caves

4.9 /5
6K+ reviews
Read all reviews
Jiayan *****
6 days ago
Started the day with Chris 6.20am at sky city hotel entrance. He is a friendly expert driver who drove us to Hobbiton and handed us to Rob who was our guide at Hobbiton. We had ginger beer which has no alcohol. He shared stories which made the tour more interesting. We were lucky to have them.
2+
Gwen ****
15 Dec
Got to walk through 2 different caves over 2 hours, in group of 12. Much better than at the big advertised Waitomo caves. Plenty of chance for pictures, rode in rubber raft, saw glow worms up close and got to ask lots of questions
2+
AMEYA *******
12 Dec
What a wonderful experience for fans of the LOTR and The Hobbit. Ticketing was easy with Klook and from there, the guided tour took us about 2 hours with 1 complimentary serving of beverage (alcoholic or non-alcoholic)
Manohar *
10 Dec
Whether you are a Lord of the Rings fan or not dont skip this amazing experience. You will fall in love with the setting and entire creativity of the setup. If you are LOTR fan then as you can imagine this is paradise and worth every penny.
2+
Chay *
8 Dec
I had an incredible time on this tour! The Hobbiton movie set was even more magical in person, and our guide shared fascinating insights into the filming process. A must-do for any LOTR fan! The Waitomo Caves were simply breathtaking, with thousands of glowing glowworms illuminating the underground caverns.
2+
黃 **
8 Dec
At the beginning, you have to wait at Shire Coffee. A group will leave every ten minutes. You must arrive on time. A staff member will lead you to introduce each scene that appears in the movie. You may have the opportunity to visit the house.
2+
HAK *********
6 Dec
Super well organised... our guide Brad was knowledgeable and funny! The scenarios are amazing... now we need to rewatch LOTR and Hobbits!
Smithy *******
2 Dec
The Hobbiton Tour Movie Set is simply outrageous!!! It is so educational and splendid. The tour was planned so well and everything was perfect. I really enjoyed it very much. I highly recommend this to all, even though you are not a Hobbit fan.
1+

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FAQs about Waitomo Glowworm Caves

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What to know before visiting Waitomo Glowworm Caves

Remarkable Landmarks and Must-Visit Sights

Glowworm Grotto

Experience a boat ride under the mesmerizing glowworms, creating a celestial sky of living lights in the underground Waitomo River.

Cathedral

Explore the Cathedral, an enclosed area with exceptional acoustics, where renowned singers like Dame Kiri Te Kanawa have performed.

Geological Formations

Marvel at the stunning stalactites, stalagmites, and limestone formations that have taken millions of years to form within the caves.

Culture and History

Delve into the rich cultural heritage of the Waitomo Glowworm Caves, where the local Maori people have cherished these caves for centuries. Learn about the fascinating history of exploration and preservation efforts that have made this natural wonder accessible to visitors.

Local Cuisine

While exploring the caves, savor the unique flavors of New Zealand cuisine, from traditional Maori dishes to modern culinary delights. Don't miss the opportunity to taste the local specialties in the charming surroundings of Waitomo.

Natural Wonders

Discover the natural wonders of Waitomo, where lush green hillsides and unique geological formations create a picturesque landscape. The region's diverse flora and fauna, coupled with the captivating glow-worm caves, make it a must-visit destination for nature enthusiasts.