Millions of years in the making, Waitomo’s caves are one of New Zealand’s most iconic natural wonders. Discover these underground limestone formations by taking a guided tour or abseiling in them!
The highlight of any visit is the glowworms that illuminate the cave walls. Learn about these unique bioluminescent insects and their fascinating life cycle before heading to the caves!
1. Glowworms
Bioluminescent glow worms are one of the most unique and fascinating aspects of New Zealand's caves. In fact, they're so popular that the Waitomo Glowworm Caves attract half a million visitors every year.
They're not actual worms, they're fly larvae that emit a phosphorescent glow to attract small insects to their sticky threads and feed them. The light they emit is a result of their waste and snot emitting a molecule called luciferin.
The Waitomo Glowworm Cave is the most well-known of the three glow worm caves in New Zealand, but you can also explore Ruakuri and Aranui. These underground networks are a mix of caves and grottos, each one offering a different experience.
2. Limestone Formations
The limestone formations you see inside the caves at Waitomo and Ruakuri Caves were formed over millions of years through water erosion. Streams that flowed through cracks in the soft rock dissolved the limestone and left calcium deposits, which hardened over time into stalactites and stalagmites.
Limestone is a type of sedimentary rock, which is made up of small particles that have been compressed together by pressure. It also contains fossils, which give clues to what the rocks looked like long ago.
3. Boat Tours
The Waitomo Caves are a natural wonder of the world, carved out of limestone rock by underground streams. Water seeping down the walls and roof formed stalactites and stalagmites over hundreds, thousands or even millions of years.
The best way to experience Waitomo Caves is on a guided tour. These tours are not only fun and informative, they’re also a great way to learn about the geology of New Zealand.
These tours are often accompanied by knowledgeable guides who will teach you all about the glow worms, limestone formations and more. These cave tours are one of the most popular attractions in Waitomo and are perfect for any age or ability level.
4. Tubing
The Waitomo Caves are a unique network of underground caverns, run through by a deep river. They are home to a number of naturally occurring decorations, including stalactites and stalagmites.
Stalactites and stalagmites are limestone crystal deposits that form when water drips down the cave walls. These formations are fragile, and it takes hundreds of years for them to form.
These formations also provide an ideal habitat for glowworms, who thrive in the dark caves. They feed on small insects that fly through the fresh air that flows with the underground water.
For the ultimate caving experience, opt for black-water rafting (also known as cave tubing). The 3-hour Labyrinth option includes an inner tube ride through a subterranean river, with a waterfall jump; the 5-hour Black Abyss lets you abseil down limestone walls.
5. Abseiling
There is nothing quite like the rush of descending 100 metres below the surface, and at Waitomo Caves there are many abseiling opportunities. You can choose from the Black Abyss, which combines a 35 metre abseil, climbing, whizzing down a flying fox and cave tubing underneath glow worms into one epic experience.
Abseiling is a technique used by climbers, canyoneers and cavers to descend steep cliffs that are too difficult or dangerous to hike down. It originated in mountaineering, where it was used to reach the top of peaks, but it is now an activity in its own right and one that has gained popularity worldwide.
While there are many variations of abseiling, there is a common underlying principle that makes it safe and effective. It involves a rope, a climbing harness and something that creates friction, such as a belay device, to help you glide down safely.
