English Chinese (Simplified) Dutch French German Italian Japanese Korean Portuguese Spanish

Destination Waitomo | Waitomo Caves Travel & Destination Guide

It's quite appropriate for people to suggest that you 'discover' Waitomo as for a small area of New Zealand there is a fair amount to explore. In short, Waitomo isn't just about caves and glowworms. Waitomo is known for it's tranquility, geology and impressive landscape. Add to this a range of fun-filled tourist attractions and you can understand why Waitomo Caves has become one of New Zealand's top tourist destinations.

An excellent example of natural history, Waitomo is a rural escape from the cities and backpacker parties. You actually cannot help but relax in Waitomo. The fresh air and surrounding scenery forces you to get out and explore the natural beauty of New Zealand that visitors always rave about.

What does Waitomo mean? wai = water / tomo = hole

Cave entrance, Waitomo District (6 February 20...

Cave entrance, Waitomo District Wikipedia

Waitomo History

Featured Waitomo Attractions & Activities

Waitomo's existence is thanks to it's natural history starting 30 million years ago with geological and volcanic activity. Over the years Waitomo evolved creating the limestone caves that we can see today. The Waitomo Caves really are perfect examples of natural history. Waitomo Caves were known by the Maori tribes living nearby but it wasn't until 1887 that they were first explored by local Maori Chief Tane Tinorau and Fred Mace, a surveyor from England. The pair rafted through the caves and found both impressive limestone formations and, of course, the glowworms.

Within 2 years the caves were opened up for visitors to explore and experience for themselves and tourism began in Waitomo. The government claimed control of Waitomo caves for a while during the 20th century but returned them to the care of descendants of Chief Tane Tinorau in 1989. To this day, the two manage Waitomo Caves together and successfully too as Waitomo caves are now one of the top tourist attractions in New Zealand.

Waitomo Attractions & Activities

Free Things to Do:

  1. Waitomo Museum of Caves - find out why Waitomo is the way it is.
  2. Ruakuri Bushwalk
  3. Spot unique wildlife in Pureora Forest Park
  4. Waitomo Walkway ( 3 hour walk of the area)
  5. Visit the Marokopa Falls
  6. Stretch your legs on the Mangapohoe Natural Bridge and Walking Track

Things to do under $20

  1. Visit 'Kiwiana' town in the nearby Otorohanga
  2. Visit the Kiwi House and Native Bird Park
  3. Jump on a bus to spend the day at Ocean Beach in Kawhia, a local coastal town
  4. Have proper fish and chips on Kawhia Wharf and watch the sunset

Things to do over $20

  1. Visit one of the Waitomo Caves and be amazed by the glowworms
  2. Black Water Rafting
  3. Abseiling the Lost World Cave
  4. Visit Aranui Cave
  5. Try your hand at trout fishing
  6. Spend 2 hours horseriding through the rural scenery.

Waitomo Restaurants & Bars

Good places to eat:

  • HUHU Cafe
  • The Long Black Cafe
  • BLT Cafe
  • Youngs Seafoods & Takeaways
  • Morepork Pizzeria & cafe

Good places to drink:

  • Curly's Bar
  • The Thirsty Weta Bar - Otorohanga (they have a free courtesy vehicle that will take you home, conditions apply)
Enhanced by Zemanta

Destination Guide