Discover Waitomo - the home of New Zealand's world famous Waitomo Glowworm Caves and legendary Black Water Rafting.

About Waitomo & the Waitomo Caves

Discover a world away from the everyday

Undulating green fields, tumbling waterfalls, spectacular rural vistas and, of course, its world-renowned limestone formations and cave system make Waitomo a destination like no other.

30 million years ago the entire Waitomo region lay far beneath the sea. Today, both above and below ground, it stands as a revealing testament to a landmark period in New Zealand's and the world's natural history.

Click here to view our cave Virtual Tours

It is also a region that offers a multitude of recreational sightseeing and tourist attractions. So much so, that it's virtually impossible to take it all in over just one day. So take two or even a few days and discover Waitomo at your own pace.

To find out more about the Waitomo region, click on the links below.

REGIONAL FACTS

A brief guide to Waitomo, its people and the other small townships that form part of the Waitomo region's rich and diverse network.

LOCATION

View and print maps that highlight the driving routes and key attractions of the Waitomo area, as well as the regions proximity to Auckland and other major centres.

THE GEOLOGY OF WAITOMO

There are around 300 known limestone caves beneath the hills of the Waitomo region.  Learn more about how they were formed and the limestone landscape of Waitomo.

NEW ZEALAND GLOWWORM

Learn about the New Zealand Glowworm - 'arachnocampa luminosa' , a species unique to New Zealand and found in Waitomo. Find out why they glow and the four stages in the Glowworm Lifecyle.

Black Water Rafting
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