Waitomo Caves – North Island

Waitomo Overview

The green rolling landscapes of the Waikato region that lies to the south of Auckland form some of the most fertile land in New Zealand, yet this is one region in particular which holds more than just surface appeal… literally. For Waikato also boasts an extensive labyrinth of underground caverns that formed millions of years ago and are now a major tourist attraction.

To the south of Hamilton, the small and pleasant town of Waitomo is the focal point of the region’s subterranean wonders. The caves at Waitomo are one of New Zealand’s most commanding wonders – a celebration of nature’s work over the last one hundred thousand years. There are hundreds of miles of labyrinthine caves, glow-worms, under ground lakes, stalactites and stalagmites, and all manner of limestone crustaceans – a lost world waiting to be discovered… and they were – Back in 1887, Maori chief Tane Tinorau and English surveyor Fred Mace chose to ignore Maori warnings and went to explore the depths of the local river cave. Although they found no displeased gods, the two spelunkers were treated to an otherworldly display of glowworm bioluminescence and dazzling cave formations. Within a year, Tinorau opened the cave for a few visitors to experience the ethereal wonder. Over 100 years later, the glowworm population remains stable, but the number of tourists has soared.

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