A guide will take you along safe boardwalks into narrow chambers to see the finest cave formations of all the caves in Waitomo. The high chambers, magnificent limestone formations and the pale brown, pink and white shades of the huge stalactites in the Aranui Cave are truly spectacular
As you enter, the first cavern in the Aranui Cave is called the Butcher Shop and was named this following the discovery by the local Maori pig-hunter Ruruku Aranui. Other key points of interest include the Cathedral Majestic, The Temple of Peace and the Eastern Scene in Aladdins Cave. Aranui Cave is home to one of the largest stalactites, which is estimated to be 2.5 tonnes and 6 metres long.
New Zealand Cave Weta
- Aranui Cave
Just inside the entrance to Aranui Cave is a colony of cave wetas - large insects unique to New Zealand, which date back to the dinosaur age. Wetas are closely related to the cricket and locust and the word literally translates from Maori as the 'ugly one' or the spiny one.
Cave wetas differ from other wetas in the size of their limbs and antennae, in relation to their bodies.
They have very long legs and antennae, to help them find their way around their dark habitat.
They do have eyes but these are only really used to avoid light. Leaving the Aranui Cave at night they will forage on the forest floor for food. If there is a full moon, they will not leave the shelter of the cave as there is too much light.