Waitomo Caves
The Waitomo Caves, famous for their vast caverns full of eerie stalactites and stalagmites, are the
Waikato's best known attraction. The meaning of Waitomo – water emerging from a hole – is accurate. Over thousands of years, rainwater has seeped through layers of limestone, leaving tiny deposits as it enters the underground caverns. The most beautiful of these stalactites (from the roof), stalagmites (from the floor) and incrustations now have names like the Bride's Jewels, the Organ Loft and the White Terrace.
The Glowworm Cave was first explored in 1887 by local Maori Chief Tane Tinorau and English surveyor Fred Mace, and have since become a leading visitor attraction. Guided tours take in some 250 metres of stunning underground scenery, including the famous Cathedral Cave, where opera diva Dame Kiri Te Kanawa has performed, and the Glow-worm Grotto, which is lit by thousands of lights belonging to these tiny insects.
There are more than 500 caves in the area, but the most famous are the Glowworm, Ruakuri and Aranui. Thousands, if not millions, of people have visited here - floating for 80m on a river, 13m below ground, and gazing at the galaxy of blue lights. It is so quiet here, even your breathing seems loud.
Adventure Caving
In New Zealand, it was natural for someone to think of a more active approach to the caves and so Black Water Rafting is now on the menu. Wearing a wetsuit, helmet mounted lamps and sitting in well-inflated tyre inner tubes, you float and clamber down the river section of the TumuTumu or Ruakuri Caves. For the more daring, enter Haggas Honking Holes. After you conquer the first 20m abseil, the next two waterfall abseils, the rock-climbs and commando crawls come a little easier.
Now you're ready for the Lost World. You can barely discern the bottom of the abyss as you slowly descend the 100m abseil. The 30 minute descent is freehanging with visitors being assisted; encouraged and informed by their guide who abseils alongside. You return to the surface at another location after walking through a series of spectacular rock falls and caverns. You can experience these caves on a day trip from Auckland or Hamilton. Self-drive will give you the opportunity to take in two or more of these unique adventures.
Tours
A range of tours are on offer from adventure activities such as blackwater rafting and abseiling through to guided tours on foot or by boat.
Useful information