1 Fiordland National Park
2 Tongariro National Park
3 Te Papa Tongarewa
4 Whakarewarewa Thermal Reserve
5 Abel Tasman National Park
6 Cape Reinga
7 Queenstown's Skyline Gondola
8 TranzAlpine Express
9 Mount Cook National Park
10 Waitomo Caves
These are among New Zealand's most impressive natural wonders. Glow-worms twinkle like stars on the roof of a cave above an underground river.
The caves are situated some 200km south of Auckland, along a side road between the towns of Otorohanga and Te Kuiti. In the area are a number of rocky outcrops, with a labyrinth of caves and channels beneath. The two main caves open to the public are the Waitomo Caves and the Aranui Cave. The former, which have given their name to the area, are the more popular. Visitors in guided parties are led through subterranean chambers of varying sizes containing delicate limestone stalactite and stalagmite formations highlighted by special lighting effects.
The main feature of the Waitomo Caves, however, and the reason for their alternative name of the Glowworm Grotto, is the dinghy ride along an underground stream into a cave where, in the darkness, one can gaze up at thousands of glow-worms lighting up the roof like stars in the sky. The effect is created by the "lights" that these tiny insects create to lure prey into their mesh of sticky mucus threads. The Aranui Cave is worth visiting for its beautiful limestone formations, although it does not have the attraction of glow-worms. Both caves are usually busy in the middle of the day with coach tours, so avoid this time if possible. Near the Waitomo Caves the Museum of Caves has good audio-visual displays and shows about the glow-worms, while on the road leading to Waitomo the Ohaki Maori Village gives an interesting insight into the Maori culture and way of life. Except for a hotel, there are few facilities near the caves.Address: 8km off SH3, south of Otorohanga
Phone: 07 878 8227
Open: Daily, half-hourly, 9-5
Restaurant: Waitomo Hotel (Moderately priced)
Bus: Minibus transfers from intercity buses
Train: Transfers from Otorohanga station
Accessible: None
Admission: Expensive
Practical: Included in most North Island coach tours
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