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About Waitomo
Discover a world away from the everydayUndulating 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.
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. |
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ABOUT WAITOMO, NEW ZEALANDWaitomo is a Maori word made up of two parts. 'Wai' which translates as water and 'tomo' which means entrance or hole. Waitomo can be translated as the 'stream which flows into the hole in the ground'. This meaning is reflected through its fantastic geological history and landscape, however it also has a rich tourism and cultural history . As a region it is one of New Zealand's original tourist destinations.
The Waitomo District, encompassing the main town and service centre of Te Kuiti and the townships of Waitomo, Mokau, PioPio, Awakino, Marokapa and Benneydale amongst others, is home to around 9,700 people. The prosperous local economy is built around tourism, farming, mining and forestry.
Waitomo is amongst New Zealand's most tranquil areas, with one of the country's lowest population densities of just 2.7 people per square kilometre compared to the national average of 14.1.
This relative solitude makes the Waitomo District a wonderful place to spread one's wings and shake off everyday urban frustrations. Whether your recreational interests extend to the wildly adventurous or just the ever-so-gently relaxing, a visit to Waitomo will leave you feeling refreshed and very much alive. |
To find out more about the Waitomo region, click on the links below.
|  | See what has been going on in Waitomo recently, we'll keep you up to date with the latest news. | | | | 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. | | | | 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. | | | | No trip to Waitomo is complete without a pilgrimage to the famed Waitomo Glowworm Caves. Over the years, millions of visitors have enjoyed the 45 minute guided tour of the spectacular Glowworm Cave before venturing on a boat trip through the awe-inspiring Glowworm Grotto. | | | | Ruakuri Cave is regarded as Waitomo's longest and most comprehensive guided underground walking tour. Recently re-opened after an 18 year hiatus, it takes its visitors on a 1.6 kilometre journey deep into the dark recesses of the earth. A caving experience that's up close and personal. | | | | Aranui is a dry cave with a beautiful collection of stalactites, stalagmites, flowstones, unique formations and at its entrance, its very own colony of cave wetas. A magical and quite unique experience that is steeped in Maori myth and legend. | | | | The Legendary Black Water Rafting Company, with its Black Abyss and Black Labyrinth tours, offers an exhilarating journey that falls just enough outside the comfort zone to thrill. Clamber, trek, float and squeeze your way through the unique and unforgettable underground landscape. | | | | From taking a trek on horseback to experiencing some of New Zealand's most visually dramatic scenery on walking trails to sipping lattes in the sun, a new experience is always at hand. | |
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