A must-see underwater castle in Middle-earth!
Waitomo Glowworm Caves, located in the Waitomo Caves area in the western mountains of New Zealand's North Island, is a breathtaking natural wonder. The cave has entrances at both the top and bottom, attracting countless insects to breed inside, with glowworms that prey on insects being the most unique. The green glow emitted by these glowworms, like stars in the sky, adorns the depths of the cave, making you feel as if you are in a dreamlike world of green elves.
📅Best time to visit
The best time to visit Waitomo Glowworm Caves is in spring and autumn, when the weather is mild and the scenery is pleasant, making it perfect for sightseeing.
🚗Transportation
From Auckland, it takes about 2.5 hours by car to reach Waitomo Glowworm Caves. Along the way, you can enjoy the natural scenery of New Zealand, and it is recommended to bring your own lunch and snacks for the journey. In addition, visitors can also choose to rent a car or take public transportation to get there.
🎫Ticket booking
As Waitomo Glowworm Caves is very popular, it is recommended to book tickets in advance on the official website to ensure a smooth visit. Tickets are especially tight during peak season and around New Year. Visiting the glowworm caves requires a boat ride, and the boat trips have fixed times, so buying tickets in advance can ensure a suitable itinerary.
🚫Visiting tips
1. No touching or photography: To protect the natural environment and glowworm ecosystem inside the cave, visitors are prohibited from touching geological wonders such as stalactites and stalagmites inside the cave, and photography is also prohibited.
2. Keep quiet: Especially when taking a flat-bottomed boat to see the glowworms, keep quiet to avoid scaring the glowworms.
3. Follow the group: For the safety of visitors, you must follow a group to act together so that the guide can take care of you and avoid accidents in the wet and dark cave.
✨Visiting experience
The entire visit is divided into two parts: walking and boating. While walking, visitors can admire various strange caves and stalactites, and there will be a professional guide explaining the relevant knowledge of the caves in English. The highlight is the boating part, when visitors take a boat on the dark river and look up, the sky is full of glowing lights, like stars falling to the ground, this visual impact is unforgettable.
🍽️Food recommendations
After visiting the glowworm caves, visitors can taste local Maori traditional food in nearby restaurants, such as hangi (various ingredients steamed with steam), which is original, nutritious, and delicious. In addition, there are also delicacies such as fish and chips for visitors to choose from.
🏨Accommodation recommendations
There are various accommodation options around Waitomo Glowworm Caves, including luxury resorts, comfortable hotels, and natural campsites, to meet the needs of different visitors.
🌈Other activities
In addition to visiting the glowworm caves, visitors can also experience activities such as horseback riding, quad biking, and jet boating in the area, and enjoy the natural scenery and adventure fun of New Zealand.
Waitomo Glowworm Caves is not just a natural landscape, it also carries stories of nature, history, culture, and the Maori people. Here, you will experience a dreamlike natural journey and feel the magic and beauty of nature. Come to Waitomo Glowworm Caves and start your journey to the underwater castle in Middle-earth!