Bus Auckland to Waitomo Caves
InterCity operates buses from Auckland to Waitomo Township, arriving at the Waitomo Caves isite where a number of Waitomo Caves tours depart from. The journey to Waitomo Township takes approximately 3 hours 40 minutes and departs from the InterCity Sky City bus Terminal at 102 Hobson Street, Auckland Central.
InterCity also offers a Day Tour to both the Waitomo Caves and Hobbiton Movie Set, with departures from both Rotorua and Auckland. During your day tour you’ll travel through subterranean tunnels, see incredible limestone formations, and take part in an underground boat ride, gliding silently through the darkness while thousands of glowworms twinkle overhead. After emerging from the caves, you'll enjoy a picnic lunch provided to you on the way from Waitomo to Hobbiton Movie Set.
Use the fare finder to search for a bus Auckland to Waitomo Caves with New Zealand's most popular national bus network.
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.
With a bus pass provided by InterCity, you can bus Auckland to Waitomo Township with ease. Take a look at FlexiPass to learn more. You have the flexibility to jump on and off wherever you want and managing travel online is easy!