Ruakuri Cave
Waitomo’s longest underground guided walking tour
This cave is a nice example of the fusion with modern engineering and natural but ancient cave formation. On show is a captivating blend of Waitomo’s compelling subterranean experiences without the need for ropes or getting wet. Starting a leisurely journey down through an impressive, modern spiral entrance, encounter softly folding shawl-like limestone formations and crystal tapestries as you become aware of the distant thunder of the subterranean waterfalls.
At 1.6 kilometres in length, this guided underground tour is New Zealand’s longest guided underground walking tour that will leave you humbled by the sheer majesty of nature. This is a show cave in the purest sense, and Ruakuri Cave ticks all the boxes displaying stalactite straws, flow-stone and majestic cave formations that surround. Softly folding, shawl-like formations and fossilised sea shells that were left behind by nature as the seabed turned to stone. Crystal cave tapestries enchant in the drum passage and as you descend, follow the rumbling sound of the hidden waterfall. Crossing a bridge into the glowworm colony, your guide will then take you up close to the tiny creatures who illuminate this underworld.
Major features of Ruakuri Cave include Holdens Cavern, named after James Holden who first opened the cave to the public, The Drum Passage, The Pretties and The Ghost Passage.
