Sydney Expert

<ul>
	<li>
	For all bookings travelling between 1 November - 30 April, cancellations made within 72&nbsp;hours of the departure time/date:&nbsp;100% cancellation fee&nbsp;
	</li>
	<li>
	All other travel periods, cancellations made within 24 hours of departure time/date: 100% cancellation fee
	</li>
	<li>
	Cancellaton by the tour operator: Fully refundable
	</li>
</ul>

&nbsp;

<ul>
	<li>Transfers to accommodation</li>
</ul>

Ruakuri Cave Visitor Centre, 219 Tumutumu Road, Waitomo, New Zealand.

<ul>
	<li>Comfortable walking shoes</li>
	<li>Warm jacket</li>
</ul>

Ruakuri Cave&nbsp;

Discover Ruakuri Cave and join New Zealand&#39;s longest underground walking tour. The Maori legends state that a young Maori hunting for birds first discovered Ruakuri Cave (rua = den; kuri = dog) 400-500 years ago. Wild dogs attacked him just outside the original cave entrance. The cave was re-opened in 2005, and is now an amazing example of natural cave structure and engineering.

&nbsp;

In Ruakuri Cave you are bound to live a fascinating blend of Waitomo&#39;s subterranean experiences. Wander down the spectacular spiral entrance, and admire the crystal tapestries and shawl-like limestone formations. You will hear the thunder of the subterranean waterfalls in the distance and get up close to the glowworms.

&nbsp;

Ruakuri Cave offers the longest guided underground walking tour in New Zealand. An experience you have to see before you believe it. This majesty of nature will leave you speechless.&nbsp;

&nbsp;

How the caves were formed&nbsp;

The Waitomo Caves and neighbouring Ruakuri Caves are located in an area full of limestone rock. The cave structures began to form around 30 million years ago from the bones and shells of marine fossils. They collected on the sea floor and then hardened into sedimentary rock. At the same time the earth shifted and volcanoes erupted. It made huge slabs of limestone lift out of the sea. Over the centuries, water flowed through cracks in the rocks, widening them into larger and larger channels until huge caverns were formed.

&nbsp;

Cave highlights

Ruakuri Cave has an abundance of glowworms. It is filled with beautiful stalagmites and stalactites formed over millions of years. Another natural wonder includes softly folding shawl-like formations which are formed by flowing rivers. Fossilised seashells indicate how the caves were part of the seabed a long time ago.

&nbsp;

One of the major sights is Holdens Cavern, which is named after James Holden. He was the first to open the cave to the public. Other sights include The Drum Passage, The Pretties, and The Ghost Passage.

&nbsp;

Glowworms&nbsp;

The Waitomo and Ruakuri caves accommodate the larvae of a species of gnat called Arachnocampa luminosa. A glowworm that is unique to New Zealand. These little insects spend most of their life as larvae (juveniles). They only grow to the size of a matchstick. The effect of their twinkling lights is truly magical.&nbsp;

&nbsp;

Maori spiritualism

Ruakuri Cave has always been a spiritual place for local Maori. They originally used it as a sacred burial ground (wahi tapu).

&nbsp;

The original public entrance to the cave went right through the burial ground. Today, the new spiral entrance ensures that visitors do not disturb this sacred place.

&nbsp;

Our guides

Our expert guides are specifically trained for the tours they run. They will guarantee your safety. All guides are trained and practised in emergency procedures and evacuations and have current advanced Outdoor First Aid Certificates.

&nbsp;

&nbsp;

Please note

<ul>
	<li>Ruakuri Cave is fully wheelchair accessible.&nbsp;</li>
	<li>A complimentary shuttle bus runs. Due to limited capacity during peak season, some customers may be required to self-drive to the cave entrance, 5km from our visitor centre.</li>
</ul>

&nbsp;

*PLEASE READ FAQS BELOW*

Duration

Start & End Time

Pick-Up & Drop-Off

Minimum Age

Fitness Level

Meals

Ruakuri Cave

Ruakuri Cave Couple looking at Formations.jpg

Ruakuri Cave Tour

Ruakuri Cave Spiral Entrance.jpg

Waitomo deals

Waitomo cave tours

Ruakuri Cave Three People Looking at Formations.jpg

Waitomo cave tour discount

Waitomo caves deals

Tourism Holdings Limited

Our guide was very enthusiastic and well informed and covered all our questions . This was a wonderful experience.

What an experience!!!

Great tour, just the right amount of time with the guide

Spectacular

We were accompanied by a great tour guide who had a passion to share this experience.

I love it

Great experience, very nice trip, beautiful places. Thank you,

A holiday experience not to be missed

<ul>
	<li>Get up to 10%&nbsp;cash back per person when you book with us!</li>
	<li>Be guided by experts through New Zealand&#39;s longest underground walking tour!</li>
	<li>Journey down the spectacular spiral staircase</li>
	<li>Marvel at the limestone formations &amp; crystal tapestries</li>
	<li>Be awe-struck by the twinkling glowworms</li>
	<li>Listen to the distant thunder of the subterranean&nbsp;waterfalls</li>
	<li>Photography permitted</li>
	<li>Wheelchair accessible</li>
</ul>

<ul>
	<li>Please note your booking needs to be confirmed by The Operator, Waitomo Glow Worm Caves.</li>
	<li>Child prices are for 4 -14 years old inclusive (proof may be required).</li>
	<li>Children under 4 years of age are free.</li>
	<li>Please note that the bookings are processed manually. Once you book with us, your booking will be confirmed by the Tour Operator, directly.</li>
</ul>

&nbsp;

<ul>
	<li>Please note your booking needs to be confirmed by The Operator, Waitomo Glow Worm Caves.</li>
	<li>Child prices are for 4 -14 years old inclusive (proof may be required).</li>
	<li>Children under 4 years of age are free.</li>
	<li>Please note that the bookings are processed manually. Once you book with us, your booking will be confirmed by the Tour Operator, directly.</li>
</ul>

Please note that the bookings are processed manually and please chat to us before making the booking or you can book with us and your booking is confirmed only once confirmed by the tour operator.

Ruakuri Glowworm Cave Tour

Australia

Cairns

Sydney

Melbourne

Darwin

New Zealand

Queenstown

Tropical North Queensland

Gold Coast

Adelaide

Brisbane

Auckland

Perth

South Island

United Kingdom

London

North Island

Sunshine Coast

Airlie Beach

United States of America

New York

Whitsundays

Port Douglas

Japan

Tokyo

Hobart

Uluru

Spain

Barcelona

Oahu

Christchurch

South East Queensland

Las Vegas

France

Paris

Surfers Paradise

Thailand

Bangkok

Italy

Rome

Noosa

Tasmania

Honolulu

Indonesia

Bali

Hawaii

Byron Bay

Great Barrier Reef

Morocco

Marrakesh

Alice Springs

Broome

East Coast Australia

Greece

Athens

Netherlands

Amsterdam

Rotorua

Hunter Valley

Edinburgh

San Francisco

Big Island

Great Ocean Road

Vietnam

Hanoi

Czech Republic

Prague

Los Angeles

Milford Sound

Wellington

Iceland

Reykjavik

Phuket

Barossa Valley

United Arab Emirates

Dubai

Ho Chi Minh

Canada

Vancouver

Mooloolaba

Venice

K'gari (Fraser Island)

Exmouth

Dublin

Kakadu

Margaret River

Kona

Hervey Bay

Kangaroo Island

Bordeaux

Milan

Hoi An

Portugal

Lisbon

Cape Tribulation

Blue Mountains

Wanaka

Hungary

Budapest

Ningaloo Reef

Mount Cook

Kyoto

West Coast Australia

Florence

Agadir

Daintree Rainforest

Cambodia

Siem Reap

Turkey

Istanbul

Croatia

Dubrovnik

Austria

Vienna

Switzerland

Zurich

Bay of Islands

Rainbow Beach

Townsville

Franz Josef

Taupo

Singapore

Te Anau

Kuranda

Mexico

Germany

Costa Rica

Fiji

India

Peru

Philippines

Malta

Korea (Republic of)

Sri Lanka

Laos

Nepal

South Africa

Ecuador

Maldives

Egypt

Backpackerdeals

Discover Ruakuri Cave and join New Zealand's longest underground walking tour. In Ruakuri Cave you are bound to live a fascinating blend of Waitomo's subterranean experiences. Wander down the spectacular spiral entrance, and admire the crystal tapestries and shawl-like limestone formations. You will hear the thunder of the subterranean waterfalls in the distance and get up close to the glowworms. Ruakuri Cave offers the longest guided underground walking tour in New Zealand. An experience you have to see before you believe it. This majesty of nature will leave you speechless.  Go deeper into the story as you descend the dramatic spiral entrance. Your two hour trip in the Ruakuri cave will include an intimate and educational experience with small tour groups. This is an experience to never forget. Book Now!

Ruakuri Cave Tour | Join On World's Longest Underground Walking Tour | Sydney Expert

Backpackerdeals rss

Ruakuri Glowworm Cave Tour

Ruakuri Glowworm Cave Tour

Ruakuri Glowworm Cave Tour Highlights

What's Excluded

What to Expect

Frequently Asked Questions

Reviews for Ruakuri Glowworm Cave Tour

Policies

Ruakuri Glowworm Cave Tour

Ruakuri Glowworm Cave Tour

Ruakuri Glowworm Cave Tour Highlights

What's Excluded

What to Expect

Frequently Asked QuestionsExpand all

Reviews for Ruakuri Glowworm Cave Tour

Policies

Frequently Asked Questions