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Before you go
Your trip to Waitomo Caves.
Illustrative images. The pictures in this guide are illustrations based on the real place, not photographs, and may differ from it.
Waitomo Caves – Waikato Destination Hobbiton and Waitomo about 75 km from Hamilton (Kirikiriroa)
How to get there
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Aeroporto de Hamilton (HLZ) Hamilton (Kirikiriroa) · 65 km
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Estação de Otorohanga Otorohanga · 16 km
Approximate road distances. Check flights and bus schedules before you travel.
By car, about 75 km from Hamilton, in 1 hour, and about 200 km from Auckland, in 2.5 hours, via SH3 and the Waitomo road. There are no regular buses to the village; organized tours depart from Auckland and Rotorua.
How many days
Half a day for the Waitomo Cave and another cave. A full day allows visiting all three caves or one cave with underground rafting, plus the Mangapohue Natural Bridge in the late afternoon.
When to go
All year: the caves maintain the same temperature in every season. From December to March there are more groups and bookings fill up. In winter it rains more in the area, but visits proceed normally.
The seasons shown are the most usual ones; nature doesn't always follow the calendar.
Do you need a car?
Yes, unless you go on an organized tour. There are no regular buses to the village, and Mangapohue is 26 km away.
Suggested itinerary
An order that works
Built with the places on this page. No rush: it's paced so you have time to see them.
One day in Waitomo Caves
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Morning
Waitomo Cave
Start with the earliest time slot at Waitomo Cave, with the boat ride under the glowworms.
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Afternoon
Ruakuri or Aranui
After lunch in the village, do the longer Ruakuri Cave visit or the formations in Aranui Cave, using a combined ticket.
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Late afternoon
Mangapohue Natural Bridge
Follow Te Anga Road to the Mangapohue Natural Bridge and walk to the limestone arch.
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Evening
Glowworms outdoors
If you stay overnight in Waitomo, return to the Mangapohue arch or another reserve trail with a torch to look for glowworms outdoors.
Check before you go. Opening hours and days change, and places may close for renovations, holidays or events. This itinerary is a suggestion from Cidade Turismo, not a commitment: plan yours by checking directly with each place you intend to visit.
Before you go
Frequently asked questions
Which Waitomo cave to choose?
Waitomo Cave for the boat ride under the glowworms; Ruakuri for a longer walking tour with glowworms and a river; Aranui for limestone formations.
Can you visit more than one cave in Waitomo in the same day?
Yes, with combined tickets that cover two or three caves.
Is it worth staying overnight in Waitomo?
For those who want to do more than one cave or adventure activities without rushing, yes. The village has few accommodation options.
How to reach Waitomo without a car?
On an organized tour from Auckland or Rotorua. There are no regular buses to the village.