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Grotto · Waitomo Caves, Waikato
Aranui Cave
A dry cave near Waitomo, without a river or glowworms, known for delicate limestone formations in shades of white, pink and brown.
Illustrative images. The pictures in this guide are illustrations based on the real place, not photographs, and may differ from it.
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About Aranui Cave
Aranui Cave is about 3 km from the village of Waitomo, inside a forest reserve. It was discovered by chance in 1910, when the dog of Māori hunter Te Ruruku Aranui entered a hole behind a wild pig. The cave is named after him.
Unlike the other Waitomo caves, Aranui is dry: it has no underground river and no glowworms. For that reason the limestone formations developed without flowing water, and the interior features thin stalactites, stalagmites, columns and curtains of stone in shades of white, pink and brown.
The guided tour follows the galleries via stairs and walkways and lasts about one hour. On the forest approach, cave weta nests often appear — large insects that live near the cave mouth.
The tour is paid and usually has fewer time slots than the other caves; check the current schedule.
Before you go
Practical information
Cidade Turismo reviews its information regularly, but something may have changed. Check with the place before planning your trip.
How much time to set aside
About 1 hour for the guided tour.
Best time
Any time of year. You can combine it with Waitomo Cave or Ruakuri on the same day using a combined ticket.
How to get there
Tours depart from the Waitomo Cave visitor centre, with transport to the Aranui entrance, about 3 km away.
Tip
Choose Aranui if you like limestone formations: it is the richest in that respect among the Waitomo caves. If you want to see glowworms, combine it with another cave.
Official website
Get your questions answered
Frequently asked questions about Aranui Cave
Does Aranui Cave have glowworms?
No. Aranui is a dry cave with no river, so it does not have glowworms; the highlight is the limestone formations.
How long does the visit to Aranui Cave last?
About an hour.
How do you get to Aranui Cave?
Tours depart from the Waitomo Cave visitor centre, with transport to the entrance.