• travel_explore
    Rotorua & Taupo Explore New Zealand, Australia & Fiji!
    tune
  • image_search
    Search Rotorua & Taupo... Experiences, attractions, dining & more

Down to Earth - Waitomo Eco Glowworm Cave Tours

5.0
666
An “off the beaten track” 3 hour adventure into the stunning limestone and glow worm caves on our family farm. Waitomo’s top-rated, most authentic glowworm caving experience.

An “off the beaten track” 3 hour adventure into the stunning limestone and glow worm caves on our family farm. Waitomo’s top-rated, most authentic glowworm caving experience.

Highlights

  • Amazing glow worm displays!
  • Just the right amount of adventure
  • Away from the crowds
  • Only 2 - 6 people per group!
  • Cameras welcome
  • Authentic eco experience
  • Family owned and operated
  • #1 Trip Advisor rated tour in the Waitomo District

Our personalised 3 hour guided tours are for small groups of 2-6 people. We’ll welcome you to our farmhouse and give you all the clothing, footwear and equipment you need.

You’ll begin your adventure walking through beautiful native bush, climbing over boulders and wading through the freshwater stream that flows into our cave system.

What’s really special about Down to Earth Waitomo Eco Glowworm Cave Tours is that we have left our caves in their purest and most natural state. With no concrete paths or electric lighting, this is a genuine eco-adventure into the heart of New Zealand’s magical glow worm environment.

Once inside the caves, you can explore magical glow worm displays and stunning limestone formations at your own pace, stopping to take photos along the way. You’re welcome to bring a small camera along on the tour. Your guide will also take great pictures of your adventure which we’ll email you afterwards for free.

After your tour, enjoy a hot shower and refreshments back at the farmhouse. We love meeting new friends from all over the world and sharing our local knowledge and travel tips.

The incredible cave system on our family farm is one of only two in Waitomo classified as ‘of international significance’ by NZ’s Department of Conservation. Come and experience a true piece of New Zealand paradise!

Per Person $179.00

What's included

  • Photos of your adventure
  • Light refreshments
  • All the equipment you’ll need (helmet, head lamp, thermal top, thermal pants, fleece top, shorts, gumboots and socks)

Duration

  • Allow approximately 3 hours for the whole experience

Location

  • 1199 Oparure Road
  • Te Kuiti. Approx 25 mins from Waitomo Caves village
  • 1 hour from Hamilton and 2 hours from Rotorua. Please be aware that Down to Earth do not provide any pick up services.

Restrictions

  • Children must be 12 years of age or more. Children under 16 must be accompanied by a parent or guardian..

Notes

  • Please be aware that Down to Earth - Waitomo Eco Glowworm Cave Tours do not provide any pick-up services. IMPORTANT: This tour is not suitable for elderly or anyone with mobility difficulties as it involves climbing over boulders, walking up hills and wading through streams with rocks underfoot. A reasonable level of fitness is required..

  • Cancellations: Strictly no refund given if you cancel with less than 24hrs notice, or just don't show up for your booking.

Available Bookings from 17 Dec to 30 Dec 2024

All prices are shown in NZD ($)

Change Dates
Tue 17 Dec
Wed 18 Dec
Thu 19 Dec
Fri 20 Dec
Sat 21 Dec
Sun 22 Dec
Mon 23 Dec
Tue 24 Dec
Wed 25 Dec
Thu 26 Dec
Fri 27 Dec
Sat 28 Dec
Sun 29 Dec
Mon 30 Dec

  • Per Person$179.00

  • Per Person$179.00

Authenticated Reviews & PhotosAll of our reviews are from people who have booked and paid for this activity thru Bookme

Authenticated Reviews & PhotosAll of our reviews are from people who have booked and paid for this activity thru Bookme

5.0

666 reviews

Showing all 666 authenticated Bookme reviews

Wei Chen Lin from Taiwan wrote on 19 December 2018

非常推薦

很特別的體驗,需要在洞穴裡爬上爬下,但不會很難,有基本的體能就可以了。有提供裝備衣服靴子,原則上只有腳會弄濕,回來之後有需要的話可以沖澡。螢火蟲很漂亮,非常值得去看看,超浪漫的。

verifiedVerified purchase Share Link

benf12 from China wrote on 09 August 2016

wonderful

it was my first cave adventure experience, small group, wonderful guide. it was a perfect journey.

verifiedVerified purchase Share Link

Adam Neal from United Kingdom wrote on 28 May 2023

Glowworm caves Bro's NZ tour

EXCELLENT THANKS ASH!!!!!!! Enough said NU1 trip to do out of them all thanks again mate

verifiedVerified purchase Share Link

From Down to Earth - Waitomo Eco Glowworm Cave Tours

Thanks so much for your review. We’re so glad you had a great time exploring the glow worm caves we’re lucky enough to have in our backyard!

xiaoyic from New Zealand wrote on 13 October 2022

Mrs Ravlich

It was a great time, so different experience in my life, Ashley is a great tourist guide.

verifiedVerified purchase Share Link

Gordon from New Zealand wrote on 03 January 2022

Amazing experience

Amazing experience with Ashley at the beginning of 2022👍

verifiedVerified purchase Share Link

close

Qualmark Certification

This award identifies a business with a high level of professionalism, a keen awareness of the impact it has on the environment and a commitment to a customer centric approach.

This award is evidence of a sophisticated tourism business that consistently exceeds visitor expectations. Their proactive leadership and management ensure the business's focus on continuously improving their economic, social and environmental performance to create genuine, constantly evolving and sustainable tourism experiences.

This award recognises the best sustainable tourism businesses in New Zealand. It denotes exceptional customer experiences at the heart of everything the company does. This business is leading the way in making the New Zealand tourism industry a world class sustainable visitor destination.

When you see the Qualmark logo, your activity of choice is endorsed by New Zealand Tourism's official quality assurance organisation and backed by leaders in the industry. It's your trusted guide to iconic activities and experiences that are awarded for their exceptionally high level of quality, safety and sustainability.

Sample menu

close
delete

Delete your content?

This item will be deleted immediately. You can't undo this action.