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Waitomo Glowworm Caves

attraction

Attraction

star

4.5 (10143 reviews)

Cave with a modern visitor centre & home to a population of glow worms found only in New Zealand.

39 Waitomo Village Road, Waitomo Caves 3977, New Zealand

+64 800 456 922

Did You Know?
6 facts
100+
Cave Count

While the Waitomo Caves are famous for their glowworm caves, there are actually hundreds of caves in the Waitomo region, with around 10 open for exploration with tours.

Free
Glowworm Viewing

You can see glowworms for free in Waitomo by taking a torch to the Ruakuri Bushwalk in the evening, where you'll find them along the trail.

Water Hole
Meaning of Waitomo

The name 'Waitomo' comes from the Maori words 'wai' (water) and 'tomo' (hole or opening), reflecting the region's abundance of caves and underground waterways.

1904
Tourism Begins

Maori guides started taking tourists into the Waitomo Caves in 1904, making it a popular destination for over a century.

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