Waitomo Glowworm Caves

Waitomo Village is famous for its extensive underground cave systems. We took a guided tour of the caves, where we paused to listen to the guide's explanation about the glowworms, bringing the cave to life through storytelling and discussing the cave’s history and legends. After that, we embarked on a short boat ride through the glowworm grotto. We revelled in the silence, as glowworms are sensitive to noise and light, and took in the breathtaking sight of these magical creatures illuminating the caves around us.

If you have some free time, consider taking a 30-minute drive up the road to the Mangapohue Natural Bridge Walk at night. The track starts on Te Anga Road, approximately 25km from Waitomo Village. The track follows a boardwalk through an impressive limestone gorge that leads you underneath the natural bridge. This limestone arch is all that remains of an ancient cave system. In the darkness, the gorge is illuminated by glowworms, creating a stunning display along the path and beneath the natural bridge. Unfortunately, we did not get to experience the bridge walk, but it sounds amazing and you can stay as long as you like.