You’ll have to go underground in this small North Island village to understand its blockbuster appeal. Though Waitomo’s surrounding landscape of rolling, green hills has postcard allure, a maze of flooded caverns called the Waitomo Caves is the starring attraction. Things to do in Waitomo include boat, raft, and spelunking tours of the underground network, which comprises the Waitomo Glowworm Caves, Ruakuri Cave, and Aranui Cave. Tours follow underground rivers illuminated by thousands of glow worms—native, bioluminescent insects that emit a soft light, giving the stone cavern walls an otherworldly beauty.
Glow worms wink year-round in the Waitomo Caves, making this an anytime attraction. And, you’ll be comfortable underground no matter the weather outside; the interior temperature of the caves hovers between 60°F (16°C) and 63°F (17°C) all year. Timing your trip does pay off, however. The best time to see glow worms at Waitomo Caves is from December to March when the insects are most abundant and active.
Tiny Waitomo is strung out along a country highway, and most visitors don’t stay here overnight. Many day-trippers make the journey from Auckland (three hours) or Rotorua (two hours), with options that include guided tours, coach trips, and intercity buses. Some day trips to Waitomo Caves make the most of the scenic journey by adding stops at nearby attractions, such as the Hobbiton Movie Set and Rotorua’s hot springs and cultural sites.
While the underground Waitomo Caves might be Waitomo’s starring attraction, there’s great hiking aboveground, too—and you can sometimes spot glow worms there with no boat trip required. Check out the 0.6-mile (1-kilometer) Ruakuri Walk to see limestone arches, sculpted stone cliffs, and a tunnel bristling with stalactites and stalagmites. Glow worms are only visible after dark, and are best seen in the area surrounding the main bridge.
