The wonderful Waitomo Glowworm Caves in New Zealand need to be on your bucket list! Honestly, I would never lie to you. Going into the caves has to be one of the most awesome experiences I’ve had and awe-inspiring sights I’ve ever seen.
Disclosure: I was given a 20% discount on our 45 minute Waitomo Glowworm tour and Auto Europe car rental. All opinions are solely my own.
As you recall, my husband and I were in New Zealand last month. Before we left LA, the forecast was for 10 straight days of rain in Auckland. Unfortunately, the weather forecast was pretty darn accurate!
I had decided to “wing it” while we were in New Zealand, only booking a hotel for our first night. We’d check the weather forecast each night/morning and decide which direction to drive, day by day.
It was a pretty good plan, except that some days it was raining throughout the entire North Island, so we simply couldn’t avoid the rain. We picked up our rental car at Auckland airport which I’d rented through Auto Europe. Yes, I used Auto Europe for a car rental in New Zealand! I use them all the time in Europe, but I had no idea I could use them Down Under. Now you know, too!
Since it was raining cats and dogs when we picked up our car, we decided to stay in Auckland one more night. We went to a market that had been recommended to us by fellow diners at Eight restaurant at the Cordis Hotel the day before.
In Auckland
La Cigale French Market was a little under the weather, literally, as stall holders spent more time emptying their tarps of rain than doing anything else. I felt as sad for them as I did for us as it was the only chance we had to see this fabulous French market. However, we made the best of it and tried a few things there.
We had lunch at Non Solo Pizza and I was impressed! The pizza and porchetta and rapini panino were both excellent! I’d definitely recommend this restaurant.
We truly didn’t do too much this day due to the weather, but luckily, when we woke up the next morning, we spotted some blue sky! Although, our excitement didn’t last too long because it began pouring again within half an hour of us leaving Auckland! Ugh. We checked the weather and decided to head southwest, where it looked as though we’d get some drier weather.
Luckily, our plan worked.
Heading South from Auckland
Some of New Zealand’s countryside reminded me so much of parts of Britain!
Complete with sheep…
and cows.
The Waitomo Glowworm Caves
I don’t even remember where I read about the Waitomo Caves, but that’s where we decided to go. We arrived in the early afternoon, and went to buy tickets. Remember, it’s summer Down Under in February, so it was a very busy season for them. We were actually lucky to get two spots in the last 45 minute glowworm tour later that afternoon.
We had to wait about three hours before going on our tour, so we visited The Waitomo Caves Discovery Centre’s Museum of Caves. This museum has a great collection of fossils, photography from the early days of the caves’ discovery as well as caving memorabilia.
Then we drove less than half a mile away to go on a short hike into a National Park. We were also fortunate to have time to kill before our glowworm tour or else we’d never have discovered this wonderful hike. If you go to the Waitomo Glowworm Caves, add some extra time to include the Waitomo Walkway (we only did part of it). There are many beautiful hikes in this area, including one to a waterfall.
The weather had flip-flopped from the morning and it was really hot by this time in the afternoon. Fortunately, we even had time for a refreshing drink. New Zealand had pretty good cider!
We arrived back at the Waitomo Glowworm Caves in plenty of time for our tour.
The Guided Tour
Our tour guide was Tinz and he was brilliant. I thoroughly enjoyed the tour with him guiding us through the caves. He was very informative with a bit of humor interspersed throughout his narrative. You could tell he loved doing his job.
We weren’t allowed to take photos inside the caves, simply due to safety reasons. It’s extremely dark in certain places within the caves, and sometimes wet. You can only imagine some selfie photography might end badly! However, I was given permission at the end of the tour to take a few photos to share with you!
I have yet to explain to you what these glowworms are. Essentially, they are bioluminescent worms that attach themselves to the ceiling of the caves and produce a long, thread which hangs from above. Nothing short of incredibly amazing. This is a sideview for you to see what I’m trying to describe.
When seen from below, all that is seen is the glow which appears to be a starry night sky! If you’ve been on Disney’s Pirates of the Caribbean ride, it’s reminiscent of that, but everything you see is REAL!
We were taken through many different caves. There were stalagmites and stalagtites galore within the Waitomo glowworm caves.
Then, we loaded ourselves into a boat in pitch darkness. This was my favorite part of the tour as we floated into a part of the cave which is only reachable by boat. It was almost surreal: above us were so many glowworms! It looked like a starry sky on a clear night! Of course, I couldn’t take a photo and it wouldn’t have turned out anyway with such low light. You’ll simply have to go to see it in person!
The caves alone would be worth visiting, but the glowworms are definitely Mother Nature’s pièce de résistance!
It was dusk when we left, but my husband and I would both have loved to explore more of the Waitomo glowworm caves and the area, too. Sometimes, when you don’t make plans, you make a serendipitous discovery, much as we did. However, the bad thing about not planning ahead is that you may arrive when the attraction is closed or booked solid. Pros and cons to both ways of traveling, as in many other aspects of life.
Waitomo is about 120 miles from Auckland, or a 2.5 hour drive. For more information on the Waitomo glowworm caves and the different tours available, click the link below.
Waitomo Glowworm Caves
I have much more to share with you from our New Zealand trip, so stay tuned!
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To get a better idea of what it’s like to be in the glowworm caves, google “glowworm caves” and click on IMAGES.
[…] flights to Auckland. We had 6 days on a road trip in beautiful New Zealand seeing things like the Waitomo Glowworm Caves, exploring Tongariro National Park and Te […]
Wow…those glow worm caves look really amazing! Even though it was raining for a good portion of your trip, it looks like plenty of nice weather appeared! Everything is so green and lush!
Haha! We had 2 full days with sunshine and the day we left was glorious (Murphy’s Law).
[…] day and decided to stay one more day until the rain cleared a little. We discovered the wonderful Waitomo Glowworm Caves on our third day. After that, we continued south, but then headed north to Tongariro National Park, […]
I’m always amazed at the different ways life has adapted in each cave and it’s always so different. I can only imagine seeing the glowworms would be a surreal experience!
Isn’t nature simply incredible? I would love to go back and explore the caves more in depth (no pun intended)! :)
I remember this place well! You got much better photos than I did in the dark though. The blackwater rafting was unreal.
That would be a fun experience! I need to go back!
[…] leaving the incredible Waitomo Glowworm Caves on the north island of New Zealand, my husband and continued south, trying to avoid the rain which […]
WOW, the New Zealand countryside looks absolutely AMAZING. I would LOVE to go there. In fact, just about everywhere in your post. I even want a sip of that cider. I got thirsty just looking at it. And your photos of the caves are fantastic.
Go, Valentina! Your boys would LOVE New Zealand, but especially the glowworm caves, I’m sure!
I’m always super impressed with caves, we just discovered some small ones in Tucson that are pretty cool. The national park looks lovely and a great way to kill time while waiting for your tour. Every time I see anything about the food in NZ looks pretty fantastic, I definitely want to get to that part of the world one day!
Absolutely put it in your bucket list, Andi! The flight wasn’t as bad as I thought it might be, too!
I can’t wait to visit New Zealand someday. It seems like such a beautiful and interesting country. I didn’t even know about these caves until reading your post! What a fun find!
Glad you know before heading there. I can’t imagine having missed this gem and reading about them upon our return! We were lucky!
The caves look fabulous. Sorry you hit so much rain, but I can see you made the best of it.
No choice as Mother Nature’s in charge :) Have you not been here? I’m surprised!
It has been over 20 years since my husband and I visited the Waitomo Glowworm Caves – you have brought back some lovely memories.
It is always a bit cooler (and wetter) in Auckland – come visit Queensland next time!
I do need to come to Queensland, Ann! Hopefully soon! Thank you!
What a pity it was raining so bad when you visited The French Market (La Cigale). This is such a lovely market with a lot of the stall holders being ‘new’ New Zealanders who have brought their skills from their home countries and the food is wonderful. My husband & I visit about once a month and shop and treat ourselves to lunch while there. Fantastic atmosphere- feels like Paris for a little while!
As with most places in your own country you don’t always think to visit and the Glowworm Caves is one. It must be 20 years since we were there with our children. I’m glad you enjoyed your visit to them – they are amazing.
Looking forward to seeing where else you visited and so glad we looked after you.
Yes Mary, it was a shame as I could tell it would have been marvelous if it was a bit drier! Poor vendors were troopers, but there weren’t many customers either. We’ll just have to come back, that’s all! :)
Very cool! I’d probably be worried they’d fall off and land on me. LOL.
That’s EXACTLY what my mother would say! I don’t think she’d go in!
I want to do this again but this time with my husband. It was such an amazing experience!
It really is amazing and I’d love to go back, too!
I’ve always wanted to take a trip “Down Under”. This post makes me want to even more, not just for these caves but that beautiful green rolling countryside. The porchetta sandwich doesn’t hurt, either… ;-)
Looking forward to more posts!
You’d love it, Frank! The quality of the food everywhere was outstanding, and not just how it was made, but the actual fruit and veg, meats, etc. And yes, the countryside, caves and cities are all so worth visiting! Hope you go one day!