Top Things to do in Waitomo District
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What to do and see in Waitomo District, North Island: The Best Things to do Good for Kids
Discover the best top things to do in Waitomo District, New Zealand including Spellbound Glowworm & Cave Tours, Ruakuri Walk, Footwhistle Glowworm Cave, Waitomo Caves Zipline Park, Ruakuri Cave, Marakopa Falls, Mangapohue Natural Bridge Walk, Waitomo Glowworm Caves, Piripiri Cave Walk.
Restaurants in Waitomo District
1. Spellbound Glowworm & Cave Tours
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 1,717 reviews
Our tours are friendly, informative and fun. With no more than 12 people on board, raft beneath many thousands of fabulous glowworms to see them at their very best. We visit private caves away from the regular, more commercial tours. Our caves are on a beautiful hill country farm and your guide is also your host, so expect a really enjoyable and memorable tour of our two magical caves.
2. Ruakuri Walk
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 374 reviews
Always check the website for changes that might affect your trip.
Reviewed By Lula444 - London, United Kingdom
Lovey short walk through beautiful forest with a couple of viewing decks - very well maintained paths, lots of steps
3. Footwhistle Glowworm Cave
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 69 reviews
We are a locally owned and operated glowworm cave tour based in the heart of the Waitomo Caves Village. Footwhistle Glowworm Cave is located on our private farm and was developed over many years. Our family run tour company ensures that your experience of Waitomo's unique ennvironment is a memory to treasure. We take a maximum of 11 guests per tour and we also allow photography
Reviewed By 84jeannetteb
‘Ross the Boss’ was our awesome guide for the Footwhistle Glowworm Cave experience. His mix of passion, knowledge and humour made this one of the best local sites to visit in Waitomo. A private family run business that is truly about making this a perfect, intimate experience. The visit is topped off with kawakawa education and tea. The caves themselves are a real delight and the family’s understanding and work towards the ecology of them is a credit to them. Highly recommended.
4. Waitomo Caves Zipline Park
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 37 reviews
Waitomo Caves Zipline Park is an exciting new activity opened in April 2019. You will fly high on 12 zip lines through native trees and over limestone bluffs with fantastic views over the region. The longest zip line is a massive 280m long. You will receive a complete safety briefing learning to use the gear provided before being guided through the course while also learning about the fascinating local history along the way.
5. Ruakuri Cave
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 872 reviews
Reviewed By Hulij - New Zealand, null
Absolutely recommend Ruakuri Cave. We did the 90 min walking tour of this amazing cave. Hannah our guide was superb and so enthusiastic, really made the tour for us. Great engineering feat with the spiral entrance way and saw loads glow worms close up, better than the boat trip tour of Waitomo Cave we did straight after this tour. Able to take loads photos too. Kids loved it. A must do!
6. Marakopa Falls
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 513 reviews
Always check the website for changes that might affect your trip.
Reviewed By PippinStubbs - Waitomo Caves, New Zealand
Absolutely beautiful! fun track downhill to the waterfall and viewing platform in the winter months or after heavy rainfall you definitely can get hit by the mist, even in summer with a small breeze you can feel the waterfall coming down. If you are driving here make sure you have petrol as there isn't any place to fuel up and no reception. I also highly recommend visiting the Mangapohue Natural Bridge as its about 40 mins from Waitomo but well worth the trip
7. Mangapohue Natural Bridge Walk
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 345 reviews
Always check the website for changes that might affect your trip.
Reviewed By 6-world-travelers
If you're in the Waitomo area, this is a 35 minute drive from Waitomo village, and 5 minutes from the spectacular Marakopa waterfall. Coming from the village, parking is on the right hand side of the road; be careful turning in as it's on a curve and there might be traffic to cross. Easy walk through a gorge to the main attraction; crosses a bridge where you'll have to hold onto your kids' hands (lest they fall over the edge) and you're under the limestone arch in about 5-10 minutes. It's 57ft of wow, and hard to capture on camera. If you carry on through, you'll climb a couple of stiles, go through farmland (watch the cow pats) and up and around. Loop takes maybe 20 minutes, tops.
8. Waitomo Glowworm Caves
Overall Ratings
4.0 based on 5,441 reviews
World renowned and a magnet for both local and overseas visitors, the world-famous Waitomo Glowworm Caves have been guided since 1889 and occupy a high place in the New Zealand vacation wish-list. Stare in wonder at the thousands of illuminating glowworms above as you glide silently by boat through the glowworm grotto. Many of our current guides are descendants of the Maori chief who originally explored the cave and can share with you the remarkable history of the area. Marvel at Mother Nature's light display as you glide silently through the starry wonderland of the Glowworm Grotto. Meander underground along the Waitomo River and gaze in silence at the myriad of glow worm lights that make up the Glowworm Grotto. As you enter this galaxy of tiny living lights, you'll immediately experience a serene ambience and be fascinated and intrigued by tiny glowworms that light your way.
Reviewed By TheRoweTribe
We did the triple cave combo, absolutely amazing caves, Corey was a fantastic and knowledable guide, family favourite was definately the glow worm cave via boat ride. Meal at cafe at glow wormcave was delicious, pricey but to be expected. Only thing that I felt was a little tacky was the photobooks, for $ they asking I would expect quality to be better.
9. Piripiri Cave Walk
Overall Ratings
3.5 based on 55 reviews
Always check the website for changes that might affect your trip.
Reviewed By barefootlouise - Napier, New Zealand
A quick 5-10min walk to get there. Take a torch to shine inside the cave to see better. Another gorgeous free activity in this beautiful country
