Bus Auckland to Waitomo Caves
InterCity operates daily buses from Auckland to Waitomo Caves on the GreatSights sightseeing network. The journey to Waitomo Caves takes approximately 2 hours 40 minutes and departs from the InterCity Sky City bus Terminal at 102 Hobson Street, Auckland Central at 7.30am.
The journey from Auckland to Waitomo Caves includes informative commentary from a local driver guide and an optional guided tour of the Waitomo Glowworm Caves. You can add this to your booking by selecting it under 'Optional Extras' in the search results.
On this 45-minute underground tour you will learn how the caves were formed. Stand in the Cathedral, the largest of the caverns with excellent acoustics, and look into the Tomo – a 16-metre vertical shaft created by an ancient waterfall – to see the Waitomo River far below.
The highlight of the tour is a boat ride through the Glowworm Grotto. This cavern is illuminated by thousands of tiny glowworms, their twinkling lights creating a breathtakingly beautiful effect as you glide along the underground river below.
Use the fare finder to search for a bus Auckland to Waitomo Caves with New Zealand's most popular national bus network.
Please note InterCity Auckland to Waitomo Caves buses are currently unavailable.
About Waitomo Caves
The Waitomo Caves were discovered in the late 1800s by local Māori chief Tane Tinorau, who owned the land on which they are located. The caves were opened to tourists in 1889, with local Māori acting as guides. Many of the staff working at the caves today are direct descendants of Chief Tane Tinorau and his wife Huti, as the cave and its lands were returned to his family in 1989, following a period of government administration.
The glowworms found in the Waitomo and Ruakuri caves are the larvae of a species of gnat called Arachnocampa luminosa, which is unique to New Zealand. 'Arachno' means spider-like, and refers to the way glowworms catch their food like spiders do. 'Campa' means larva and 'luminosa' means light-producing. 'Spiderlike, light-producing, larva'.
As well as tours of the caves, adventure-seekers can try abseiling, canyoning and blackwater rafting in the caves.
Waitomo also offers many activities above the ground such as horse trekking or rock climbing. There are also many enjoyable short walks taking you on a journey through lush native forest, waterfalls and unique limestone landscapes.
Visiting Waitomo with children? You'll find an abundance of things to keep the kids entertained. From the Waitomo Museum of Caves and Discovery Centre to an interactive show at Woodlyn Park, complete with a dancing pig!
To learn more about Waitomo visit: waitomo.com
GreatSights offer daily sightseeing tours to Waitomo Caves departing Auckland or Rotorua. There are several different tour combos to choose from including visiting the Hobbiton Movie Set or visiting Rotorua attractions.
With two bus passes provided by InterCity, you can bus Auckland to Waitomo with ease. Take a look at the FlexiPass and the TravelPass to learn more. You have the flexibility to jump on and off wherever you want and managing travel online is easy!