Waitomo Glowworm Caves in New Zealand

The Waitomo Glowworm Caves are a single of the most well-known tourist attractions in New Zealand. The caves are at Waitomo on the North Island and consist of thousands and thousands of glowworms. 

These bioluminescent creatures light-weight up the cave walls. As you vacation by means of them on an adventure tour making use of a modest boat or internal tube, dependent on your choice. 

The Waitomo Glowworm Caves are open 12 months-round. 

But there are specified instances of the 12 months when it is very best to check out them if you want to stay away from crowds. 

What are the Waitomo Glowworm Caves

The Waitomo cave is a big method of caves on the north island of New Zealand. And a person of the most frequented vacationer sights simply because of the limestone formation and magical glowworms. 

Why are there glow worms in Waitomo Caves?

Glow worms are a kind of insect recognized as an arthropod. They produce their light-weight and use it to bring in mates and food stuff. 

The glow worms discovered in the Waitomo Caves are native to New Zealand. 

And we do not find them any place else on earth, besides close by Australia. Glow worms had been when popular throughout New Zealand’s forests. 

The caves were initially explored by Tane Tinorau a Maori Chef. Main Tane explored these caves in 1887.

Why is there limestone inside the Waitomo Caves?

The limestone formations you see inside of the caves had been established in excess of thousands and thousands of several years. 

Mostly by means of h2o erosion that carved out massive underground areas from tender rock. Leaving driving calcium deposits that hardened over time into stalactites, and stalagmites. 

And other cave constructions like arches or columns. These formations have been shaped by minerals this kind of as calcium carbonate (CaCO3). 

Which dissolve when exposed to drinking water and then build back again up again into much larger crystals when exposed to air once more. This process can just take 1000’s or even tens of millions of several years. Relying on how promptly the drinking water runs off via cracks in rocks. 

Why do Waitomo Caves glow?

The glow worms are bioluminescent and a style of Arachnocampa Luminosa, which interprets from Latin as “glowing spider.”

They are incredibly small and they reside in the Waitomo Caves, so they can only be located there.

They glow to draw in a mate and then lay their eggs on the ceiling so that their hatchlings do not get eaten by predators like birds or bats. When you see them glowing, it is like looking at stars in your yard!

Where are the Waitomo Glowworm Caves

This underground cave is close to the compact city of Waitomo. On new Zealands north island.

Waitomo has a small populace, all-around 50 people, and is near to Hobbiton. Most well known for the hundreds of countless numbers of little brilliant blue lights of the glow worms. The lights illuminate the walls and ceilings of the a lot of caves that dot the countryside.

This award-deserving creation is designed by the magnificent glowing worms.

On the other hand, don’t be fooled by their daunting and eerie splendor, for these lights are lethal!

Can you stop by Glow Worm Caves?

You can take a look at Glow Worm Caves. You can stop by a several various internet sites in New Zealand that element glow worms.

Waitomo caves have the most impressive glow worm activity simply because the caves are enclosed and have really little pure light-weight. The glowing creatures are hanging from the ceiling and look like stars in the evening sky.

Tautari (Black Drinking water) Cave is in close proximity to Rotorua. And a different space with tons of geothermal activity due to the fact of its proximity to Mount Ngawaka (Mt Tarawera). 

This cave has a big colony of glow worms. That hangs down from the ceiling. Like icicles made from silk strands with small lights at the close that glow brightly when touched by torchlight or candlelight! It’s really remarkable how a lot of there are!

How to check out Waitomo Glowworm Caves

The very first step is to vacation to the Waitomo space. If you’re keeping in Auckland, it is a 2-hour drive south. The moment you arrive at your resort or hostel, reserve a guided tour through the Waitomo Caves. Tours past a few several hours and depart everyday at 5:30 pm (even though they can also be booked at unique times).

Your tutorial will decide on you up from your lodging in an air-conditioned van (or bus) with other company. And just take you to Waitomo Village, wherever they will give an introduction about glowworms in advance of driving out to the caves on their own.

The cave by itself has two ranges. And a lower level available only by boat trip together underground streams that movement out into Te Koki River. The tour includes each levels of exploration. 

My Expereince At Waitmomo Glowworm Caves

I cherished my time from the first phase into the cave entrance until eventually leaving! It is an astounding journey, that is not to expensive. Beside Hobbiton it is one of my favorite things to see on the North Island.

What is the finest way to see the waitomo glowworm caves?

I have finished both equally excursions. The rafting tour, and the going for walks tour. I most popular the Waitomo glowworm caves tubing

You can examine my full glow worm practical experience below.

What is the best time to pay a visit to Waitomo Glowworm Caves?

A single of the most prevalent issues we get questioned is “when is the ideal time to take a look at Waitomo Glowworm Caves?”. It’s a great problem, but it is difficult to remedy since there are so several variables concerned.

The weather 

Rain will make not make a change to your expertise as you’ll will need a heat watertight jacket and trousers considering that it is chilly in the cave, anyway.

How much time you have

If you are in transit amongst Auckland and Wellington, then you will not have enough time. But if you have extra time on your fingers. Then most likely staying right away at Te Kura Rau Awhina Hotel.

Or even driving down below from Rotorua could get the job done nicely for discovering other points of interest close by. Like New Zealand’s Te Anau Glowworm Caves or Scenic World Cableway. It is around Nelson Lakes National Park (equally within just about 1-hour push) which gives wonderful views of the New Zealand landscape when night falls!

Waitomo Glowworm Caves Tour Options

There are quite a few excursions readily available, which include:

The Waitomo Glowworm Cave Tour. 

This is the most common possibility and contains a boat ride down the Waitomo River in advance of you enter the cave. The caves by themselves are illuminated with glowworms that develop an eerie blue glow on the ceiling above you.

The Glowworm Caves & Ruakuri Cave Tour. 

If you are not confident in your swimming skills, this is a very good alternative for you as it contains both functions in a person package deal.

You are going to also get to discover an more cave termed Ruakuri Cave. Which has some attractive formations and other appealing attributes like fossils inside!

The Waitomo BlackWater Rafting Adventure Tour 

This just one takes advantage of some extraordinary New Zealand riverside landscapes! If you’re seeking for something much more energetic than simply floating around ponds loaded with glowing worms.

Then this will definitely be proper up your alley! Hop into an internal tube, and you and your tour manual float down the rapids in the cave, making the most of the well known Waitomo glowworm cave as you go.

At selected points, you occur to a glowworm grotto where by the cave ceiling is fully included.

Head to their web site for further details.

Waitomo Glow Worm Cave Selling prices

How a lot does a Waitomo tour cost?

The essential Glow Worm Cave tour expenditures $55 NZD for grown ups and $25 NZD for young children. But selling prices range relying on which incorporate-ons you select.

You can also shell out added to see Waitomo Caves’ other sights, including Marokopa Falls and Kawhia Warm Springs.

Are the Waitomo glow worm caves value viewing, 

Are the Waitomo glowworm caves truly worth traveling to?

Glow worms are 1 of the most spectacular sights in New Zealand, so if you are preparing a vacation downunder. Then be certain to involve them in your itinerary.

For vacationers who really do not want to expend too significantly time outdoors of Auckland or Wellington, Waitomo glowworm caves are a must-see. If you are touring with children (it is a excellent location for households).

Then these underground caverns are an outstanding decision for anybody hunting for an journey away from dwelling.

Other Spots to Stop by Close to Waitomo Glow Worm Caves

Other sites to pay a visit to in close proximity to Waitomo Glow Worm Caves

There are numerous other destinations to stop by and things to do in the Waitomo region right after you have experienced your fill of glow worms. You could also system on paying out about just one day in this distant section of New Zealand, which is rich in organic magnificence. 

The Ruakuri Walk 

Ruakuri Walk is a fantastic way to take a look at some nearby caves though seeing some amazing sights. 

Kahurangi National Park 

Kahurangi National Park has many hiking trails that weave via lush rainforests. And it is supplying a good deal of prospects for wildlife sightings (such as glow worms).

And if you want even extra glow worm motion, two other spots have them-Te Ana-au Caves close to Rotorua and Gouland Downs around Nelson!

Visit te kuiti

You can also this nearby little town, and get some excellent views. It is also an great base for staying near Waitomo.

Visit Hobbiton

Close to an hour from Waitomo, you have Hamilton. A further compact city, but also the base to see some sites exactly where Hobbit was filmed. And of program, Lord of the Rings. 

How numerous glow worm caves are in NZ?

In New Zealand, there are many glow worm caves. 

The most well-known are. 

• The Waitomo Glowworm Caves in the North Island
• The Oparara Basin in the South Island
• Te Anau Glowworm Cave is found on the south facet of Fiordland and accessed by boat.
• Aranui cave
• Waipu cave
• Cathedral Cave

Which is greater rakakuri or waitomo glowworm caves?

The most popular, and ideal spot to see these very small glowworms is Waitomo Glowworm Caves. With its enormous range of glow worms and several different tour routes. Whilst you can acquire an hour-very long tour by means of the cave. We advocate staying right away to expertise all that this wonderful spot has to supply.

How significantly is waitomo glowworm caves from auckland?

It usually takes all over two and a 50 percent hours to get from Auckland to Waitomo.

How to get to waitomo glowworm caves

New Zealand is a nation to travel! So I would advise leasing a automobile! Or getting a tour, like my Haka Tour. If you want to get there on your own you can often acquire a bus.

Summary

The Waitomo glowworm caves new Zealand are one of the most popular tourist attractions in New Zealand. For quite a few persons, it is their initially stop on a excursion to the state, and for excellent motive!

The caves are wonderful, intriguing and a should-see for everyone who visits. With so much record driving them, there’s no doubt that they will proceed to draw men and women in for yrs to occur