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Waitomo Glowworm Cave

The Waitomo Glowworm Cave is a limestone cave system situated in the Waitomo Valley on New Zealand's North Island, distinguished by its dense concentrations of bioluminescent larvae of the fungus gnat Arachnocampa luminosa, which produce a celestial-like glow across the cave ceilings.^[1]^[2] Formed within Oligocene limestone deposits dating back approximately 30 million years, the cave's chambers and passages resulted from the dissolution of soluble rock by acidic groundwater percolating through fractures over vast timescales.^[3]^[4] First systematically explored in 1887 by local Māori chief Tāne Tinorau and English surveyor Fred Mace, who traversed its underground stream on a makeshift flax raft illuminated by candles, the cave revealed its Glowworm Grotto and was subsequently opened to paying visitors in 1889 under the guidance of Tinorau and his wife Huti.^[5] These glowworms, not true worms but predatory larvae, emit blue-green light via bioluminescence—a chemical reaction involving luciferin and luciferase—to entice flying insects into adhesive silk threads suspended from the rock surfaces, sustaining their populations in the humid, dark environment.^[2]^[6] Since its inception as a tourist site, the cave has hosted boat-based tours that navigate the subterranean river, allowing silent observation of the luminous display, and it remains operated by descendants of the original discoverers following its return from government control in 1989.^[5]^[1]

History

Maori Discovery and Initial Exploration

The Waitomo Glowworm Caves, known to local Māori as part of the broader limestone karst landscape, were recognized by indigenous communities prior to European contact, with entrances utilized sparingly for resource gathering such as bird hunting and navigation along surface waterways, though deeper access was curtailed by tapu restrictions and fears of subterranean taniwha or spiritual dangers.^[7]^[8] Oral traditions among iwi like Ngāti Maniapoto indicate awareness of sinkholes and water shafts—reflected in the name Waitomo, from wai (water) and tomo (shaft or hole)—dating back centuries, but systematic subterranean traversal remained undocumented until the late 19th century.^[9]^[5] In 1887, Māori chief Tāne Tinorau of the Kawhia tribe, motivated by local curiosity about the underground river's course, initiated the first thorough exploration of the Glowworm Cave alongside English surveyor Fred Mace. On December 28, the pair entered via the river's sinkhole using a makeshift coracle fashioned from flax leaves and stems, propelled by poles and lit by flaming torches amid the darkness.^[10]^[5] This four-hour journey mapped approximately 1.2 kilometers of passages, revealing cathedral-like chambers and the river's subterranean path emerging downstream.^[9] Tāne Tinorau's account, preserved through subsequent interviews and guiding, provided the earliest empirical descriptions of the cave's bioluminescent Arachnocampa luminosa larvae, which clustered on ceilings emitting a cold blue light resembling stars or fireflies, a phenomenon previously uncharted in Western records despite Māori familiarity with surface glowworms.^[10]^[11] Their expedition confirmed the cave's connectivity to the external Waitomo Stream, laying groundwork for later surveys without embellishing mythical elements beyond observed navigation challenges like low ceilings and swift currents.^[5]

Public Opening and Early Tourism

Following the initial surveys conducted in 1887 by Māori chief Tāne Tinorau and surveyor Fred Mace, the Waitomo Glowworm Cave was opened to the public in 1889. Tāne Tinorau and his wife Huti personally guided the first tourist groups through the cave, charging a small fee for the experience.^[5]^[10] This initiative marked the transition from private exploration to commercial tourism, driven by the cave's unique bioluminescent display of Arachnocampa luminosa glowworms, which created an otherworldly attraction unlike typical limestone caves.^[12] Visitor numbers grew rapidly after opening, reflecting the novelty of the glowworm spectacle and improved accessibility via the railway extension to Ōtorohanga in 1887. In the 19 months from June 1889 to the end of 1890, approximately 360 visitors toured the cave, indicating early international interest as word spread through travel accounts and New Zealand's burgeoning tourism promotion.^[12]^[13] Early tours involved basic footpaths and river boating without modern safety or environmental safeguards, relying on Tāne and Huti's local knowledge to navigate the subterranean river and chambers.^[14] This personal guiding approach fostered authentic experiences that contributed to the site's reputation, attracting adventurers and naturalists by the mid-1890s.^[5]

Ownership Transitions and Management Reforms

In 1906, the New Zealand government seized administrative control of the Waitomo Glowworm Caves, invoking legislation from 1903 and 1905 that enabled the appropriation of scenic reserves, thereby overriding the proprietary interests of the Māori families who had initially managed and guided visitors since the site's public opening in 1889.^[8] The Tanetinorau family, descendants of the original Māori guides, were compensated with £500 for the handover, though this did not address broader land claims under the Treaty of Waitangi.^[8] Government operation continued for over eight decades, prioritizing public access and revenue collection under the Department of Tourist and Health Resorts.^[5] Rising Treaty claims in the 1980s culminated in the Waitangi Tribunal's Wai 51 inquiry, which in 1990 recommended rectification of historical grievances stemming from the 1906 taking.^[15] Ownership was accordingly divided, with 75% of the cave and surrounding core land (approximately three acres) transferred to the Māori claimants—primarily descendants of Ngāti Hōhaia and associated hapū—while the Crown retained 25% (one acre) to ensure ongoing public interest protections.^[12] This settlement marked one of the earliest full Treaty resolutions, establishing a co-ownership model formalized through the Waitomo Agreement in Principle.^[16] The post-1990 reforms introduced joint governance between the Māori trustees (via entities like the Ruapuha Uekaha Hapū Trust) and the Department of Conservation, embedding revenue-sharing mechanisms that allocated proceeds proportional to ownership stakes and integrating iwi oversight into operational decisions.^[12]^[17] This structure preserved elements of family-led guiding traditions while formalizing conservation protocols, reducing prior unilateral Crown control and enabling Māori input on access and maintenance to align with customary stewardship principles.^[12]

Geology

Formation Processes

The Waitomo Glowworm Caves formed within Oligocene limestone deposits laid down approximately 30 million years ago, when the region lay beneath a shallow marine environment conducive to the accumulation of calcium carbonate from microscopic marine organisms and shell fragments.^[18]^[19] Tectonic uplift during subsequent geological epochs elevated this limestone above sea level, exposing it to subaerial weathering processes that initiated karst development.^[18] Karstification proceeded through the dissolution of limestone by mildly acidic groundwater, primarily rainwater that infiltrates the surface, dissolves atmospheric and soil-derived carbon dioxide to form carbonic acid (H₂CO₃), and selectively erodes soluble calcium carbonate (CaCO₃) along pre-existing fractures, joints, and bedding planes.^[20] This chemical weathering enlarged initial fissures into extensive subterranean passages, chambers, and underground drainage networks over millions of years, with vadose (above water table) and phreatic (below water table) zones contributing to the cave's three-dimensional morphology.^[20] The process is episodic, accelerated during periods of higher rainfall and groundwater flow that enhance solutional capacity. The Waitomo River plays a key role in sculpting accessible portions of the cave system by integrating surface and subsurface drainage, where its flow through enlarged conduits promotes mechanical abrasion and further chemical dissolution, maintaining active passages while minor ongoing karst evolution continues at rates of millimeters to centimeters per millennium under current climatic conditions.^[21]^[4] This river-influenced morphology distinguishes the caves' hydrological connectivity, though primary enlargement predates the modern river's entrenchment.^[21]

Structural Features and Formations

The Waitomo Glowworm Caves feature a series of interconnected chambers and passages formed in Oligocene limestone, characterized by prominent speleothems including stalactites, stalagmites, and flowstones developed from mineral deposition.^[21]^[22] The cave system's physical layout includes high-ceilinged areas, with the Cathedral Chamber representing the largest space at approximately 40 meters long, 11 meters wide, and 13 meters high, facilitating notable acoustic properties due to its volume.^[23] The Glowworm Grotto comprises a low-ceilinged section over a calm underground stream navigable by small boats, enabling guided traversal without contact with the water surface.^[1] In contrast, the Tomo presents a vertical shaft-like entrance with scalloped walls exposing stratified limestone layers, marking a key access point with dramatic depth.^[24] Embedded within the limestone walls are fossils of ancient marine life, such as corals, seashells, and fish skeletons, preserved from the sedimentary origins of the rock.^[25] Visitor pathways consist of engineered dry walkways with handrails for stability, transitioning to boat sections for stream passages, allowing exploration of roughly 300-500 meters of the cave's accessible interior while minimizing environmental disturbance.^[1] These features collectively define the cave's navigable architecture, distinct from adjacent undeveloped passages.^[23]

Ecology

Biology of the Glowworms

Arachnocampa luminosa, the species responsible for the glowworm display in Waitomo Cave, represents the larval stage of a fungus gnat belonging to the family Mycetophilidae.^[26] These larvae produce bioluminescence through a chemical reaction involving luciferin substrate, luciferase enzyme, and oxygen within specialized light organs located in the abdomen, emitting blue-green light at a peak wavelength of 487 nm.^[26] This light serves primarily to attract flying prey, such as small arthropods including midges (Anatopynia debilis), toward adhesive silk snares suspended from cave ceilings.^[26] The intensity of the glow increases when larvae are hungry or actively handling captured prey.^[26] Larvae construct foraging webs consisting of up to 70 silk threads, each 1–50 cm long and adorned with 0.5–1.5 mm sticky mucus droplets produced by the mouthparts.^[26] Attracted insects collide with these snares, become immobilized, and are reeled upward using powerful jaws for consumption; captured prey is often recycled by incorporating silk remnants back into new traps to conserve energy.^[27] The larvae space their nests 10–15 cm apart to minimize competition while maximizing snare coverage.^[26] Bioluminescence ceases under bright light exceeding 10 lux or physical disturbances, which can extinguish the glow temporarily.^[26] The life cycle begins with adult females laying 80–170 eggs on moist surfaces such as cave ceilings or damp rock, which hatch after 20–24 days into larvae measuring 3–5 mm.^[26] The larval phase, during which glowing and feeding occur, lasts 6–12 months, with individuals growing to 30–40 mm in length.^[28] ^[29] Following this, larvae pupate for 8–13 days in silk cocoons suspended horizontally or vertically.^[26] Adults emerge non-feeding, with males living 1–5 days and females 1–3 days; mating occurs via bioluminescent signaling, after which females deposit eggs before dying.^[26] In the Waitomo Glowworm Cave, A. luminosa populations achieve uniquely high densities due to optimal conditions, including 94–100% humidity, 15–16°C temperatures, persistent darkness, and minimal air currents or vibrations that could disrupt snare function or light production.^[26] ^[30] These factors support abundant prey availability from cave-emerging insects, enabling sustained larval growth and colony persistence on chamber ceilings.^[30]

Other Flora and Fauna

The Waitomo Glowworm Caves support a sparse community of invertebrates adapted to the subterranean environment, primarily detritivores and predators reliant on organic matter washed in from surface streams. Notable among these are cave wetas of the species Pachyrhamma waitomoensis, large orthopterans endemic to the Waitomo region that scavenge detritus and occasional prey in the cave's humid, dark zones.^[31]^[32] Harvestmen (Opiliones) are also present, with two species documented: the short-legged Hendea myersi cavernicola (Laniatores) and the long-legged Megalopsalis tumida (Palpatores), which exhibit reduced eye structures suited to low-light conditions and feed on small invertebrates or fungal matter.^[33] Aquatic insects, including larvae of mayflies and midges, inhabit the cave streams, processing allochthonous detritus from aboveground sources to form the base of the food web.^[34] Vascular plants are absent throughout the cave due to perpetual darkness and limited nutrient influx, preventing photosynthesis and higher plant establishment. In areas exposed to artificial tourist lighting, however, lampenflora—communities dominated by green algae, cyanobacteria, and associated microbes—can develop on damp walls and formations, altering surface microbiomes but remaining confined to illuminated sectors.^[35] Vertebrate presence is minimal, with no native fish species established in the cave waters; however, invasive koi carp (Cyprinus rubrofuscus) have entered the system via connected waterways, posing risks to aquatic invertebrate populations through predation and habitat disturbance as reported in 2023 monitoring.^[36] Bats, such as the lesser short-tailed bat (Mystacina tuberculata), may occasionally utilize cave entrances for roosting but do not form significant populations deeper within, reflecting the caves' isolation from broader forested habitats.

Environmental Monitoring and Threats

Environmental monitoring at the Waitomo Glowworm Cave encompasses systematic assessment of microclimate variables, including carbon dioxide (CO₂) levels, temperature, humidity, and airflow, to quantify tourism-related perturbations.^[37] CO₂ sensors, installed since 1997, track anthropogenic accumulation from visitor exhalation, which can elevate concentrations to corrosive thresholds for speleothems if ventilation is inadequate.^[38] Photographic time-lapse monitoring of the glowworm (Arachnocampa luminosa) population, using fixed cameras capturing images every 30 minutes, commenced in 2011 to evaluate colony density and distribution amid visitor traffic.^[39] Water quality parameters in the Waitomo Stream catchment are routinely sampled to detect upstream influences on subterranean hydrology and biota.^[40] Primary threats arise from human-induced microclimate shifts, where crowds elevate CO₂ and disrupt humidity balance, fostering cave drying that imperils moisture-dependent formations and glowworm silk traps.^[41] ^[42] Artificial lighting from tours has previously diminished bioluminescent output, prompting a 1979 closure to allow recovery, as sustained exposure inhibits larval light production essential for prey capture.^[43] Invasive species, notably koi carp (Cyprinus rubrofuscus), emerged as a concern in 2023 when detected in adjacent waterways, necessitating barriers to avert predation on native invertebrates and habitat degradation in the glowworm grotto stream.^[44] ^[45] Data from New Zealand's COVID-19 lockdowns (March-May 2020 and subsequent periods through 2022) provided a control period absent visitors, revealing baseline CO₂ fluctuations driven by natural ventilation rather than amplified peaks from occupancy, thus isolating human causation in microclimate instability over inherent variability.^[46] ^[47] This empirical baseline informs visitor caps, prioritizing causal mitigation of verifiable disturbances like CO₂ buildup—linked to measurable speleothem risks—while discounting exaggerated projections absent direct evidence.^[48]

Tourism and Economy

Tour Operations and Visitor Experiences

The standard tour at Waitomo Glowworm Caves features a 45-minute guided excursion combining a walking portion through limestone formations and a concluding boat ride silently drifting through the subterranean grotto beneath clusters of bioluminescent Arachnocampa luminosa glowworms.^[49] ^[1] To limit acoustic and vibrational disturbances that could affect the glowworms, tour operators cap boat groups at 23 visitors.^[50] Alternative walking-only tours, such as the 75- to 90-minute guided exploration of nearby Ruakuri Cave, provide options for those preferring foot traversal without boating.^[51] ^[52] Prior to the COVID-19 pandemic, the caves accommodated over 500,000 visitors annually, with summer peaks reaching approximately 2,000 daily entrants, necessitating staggered tour schedules to manage flow while preserving the site's delicate ecosystem.^[53] ^[38] These operations emphasize minimal lighting and quietude during the grotto segment to enhance the natural spectacle. Visitors commonly describe the boat ride as evoking awe through the glowworms' pinpoint lights mimicking a star-filled sky amid profound silence, broken only by water drips. ^[54] Contrasting this, some report disorientation from the tour's total darkness and its concise duration, which limits prolonged immersion despite the visual impact.^[55]

Infrastructure and Facilities

The Waitomo Glowworm Caves Visitor Centre serves as the primary hub for ticketing, exhibits, and amenities, constructed following a devastating fire on December 14, 2005, that destroyed the previous facilities.^[56] This rebuild incorporated modern infrastructure including tourist gathering areas, a 250-seat dining facility, retail spaces, seminar and exhibition areas, a café, and a theatre to enhance crowd management and visitor flow.^[57] The centre's design features an innovative crisscrossed laminated veneer lumber grid shell roof inspired by a Māori hinaki eel trap, utilizing sustainable materials to reflect local cultural and environmental contexts.^[58] These developments align with post-1990 management reforms, including the cave's return to iwi ownership, which emphasized operational efficiency and resource sustainability.^[40] Within the cave system, infrastructure includes well-maintained pathways equipped with handrails to ensure accessibility for visitors with reasonable mobility and to prevent contact with sensitive formations.^[1] Safety protocols for the boat segment of the glowworm tour rely on guided operation in low-light conditions, with no additional personal flotation devices required due to the calm underground river flow, though overall adherence to national and international standards governs equipment and briefings.^[59] Lighting is strictly controlled to minimize disturbance to the bioluminescent environment, preserving optimal conditions for the glowworms.^[60] Sustainability integrations focus on reducing ecological impact, such as eliminating single-use plastics and implementing waste reduction strategies at facilities to limit intrusion into the cave ecosystem.^[61] Broader efforts include regulating cave temperature, humidity, and light levels through infrastructure design, alongside external measures like catchment fencing to exclude livestock and prevent sediment ingress.^[60] These features evolved from earlier basic setups to support increased visitor numbers while maintaining environmental integrity post-management reforms.^[40]

Economic Contributions and Criticisms

The Waitomo Glowworm Caves serve as a major economic driver for the Waitomo district and Waikato region, attracting over 500,000 visitors annually prior to the COVID-19 pandemic and contributing to approximately NZ$87 million in yearly tourism expenditure across local businesses and services. Operations generate royalties exceeding NZ$2 million per annum for the Ruapuha Uekaha Hapū Trust, which owns the caves following a Treaty of Waitangi settlement and distributes these funds to hundreds of Māori beneficiaries for community development, education, and cultural preservation initiatives. The attraction supports job creation, employing locals including descendants of the Māori chiefs who discovered the caves in 1887, with Tourism Holdings Limited managing tours that sustain roles in guiding, maintenance, and hospitality amid seasonal fluctuations. Portions of revenue also fund habitat monitoring and infrastructure upgrades, indirectly bolstering conservation efforts tied to the site's ecological value. Criticisms center on the high cost and commercialization of tours, with adult tickets for the standard 45-minute glowworm boat ride priced at NZ$81, prompting visitor complaints that the fee exceeds the perceived value given brief durations and scripted narratives. Overcrowding in boats and chambers frequently obstructs views of the glowworms, leading reviewers on platforms like TripAdvisor to describe experiences as underwhelming or "overrated," with groups of up to 18 people diminishing the immersive appeal. User-generated feedback on Reddit and social media has labeled the operation a "rip-off" or "borderline scam," attributing dissatisfaction to profit-focused scaling that prioritizes volume over exclusivity, potentially amplifying wear on the cave environment despite mitigation claims. While alternative smaller-group tours exist at higher premiums, standard offerings face ongoing scrutiny for balancing revenue gains against experiential quality.

Location and Access

Geographical Setting

The Waitomo Glowworm Caves are located in Waitomo Caves village, a rural community in the Waikato region on New Zealand's North Island.^[1] Their geographical coordinates are approximately 38°15′S 175°06′E.^[62] This site is embedded within an extensive karst landscape of limestone karsts and subterranean drainage systems, which includes interconnected cave networks such as the nearby Ruakuri Cave, situated about 2 kilometers to the south.^[52]^[63] The caves lie roughly 190 kilometers south of Auckland in a predominantly agricultural setting punctuated by remnants of native bush.^[64]^[65]

Transportation and Entry

The Waitomo Glowworm Caves are located approximately 2.5 hours' drive south of Auckland via State Highway 1 and State Highway 39, and about 1 hour from Hamilton along State Highway 39.^[64]^[66] Private vehicles provide the most flexible access, with free parking available across from the visitor centre, connected by an underground pedestrian tunnel for safe entry without road crossing.^[67]^[68] Public transport options are limited, with no direct services to the cave entrance; InterCity buses from Auckland take around 2 hours 40 minutes to the Waitomo turnoff or township, requiring additional taxi or shuttle arrangements, while trains stop at Otorohanga (15 minutes away by taxi).^[69]^[70] Bus tours from Auckland or Hamilton offer convenience but reduce flexibility compared to self-driving.^[66] Entry requires advance booking, strongly recommended online to secure spots, with tours departing multiple times daily after 30-minute check-in at the visitor centre open from 8:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.^[1] Standard fees are NZD 81 for adults (15+ years), NZD 37 for children (4-14 years), NZD 206 for families (2 adults + 2 children), and NZD 29 for additional family children; late arrivals forfeit tickets subject to availability.^[1] The site's proximity to Hobbiton (1.25 hours' drive) enables independent visits by car, allowing visitors to avoid potentially higher costs of bundled tours from urban centers.^[64]

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[50]
FAQs - Frequently Asked Questions | Discover Waitomo
Waitomo Glowworm Cave tours depart daily from the Waitomo Glowworm Caves Visitor Centre, located at 39 Waitomo Village Rd. Aranui Cave tours check-in at the ...Missing: navigable streams
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13 Things to KNOW Before Visiting Waitomo Caves, NZ (My Top Tips!)
The Waitomo Caves are a network of caves, sinkholes, and underground rivers that are ready to be explored.Missing: navigable | Show results with:navigable
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Ruakuri Cave - Tours, Glowworms | Discover Waitomo
Ruakuri Cave is accessible to everyone and is fully wheelchair and pushchair accessible (wheelchair/pushchair width must not exceed 65cm). If you require a ...
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[PDF] TOURISM ZONE - Waitomo District Council
Pre COVID-19, over 500,000 domestic and international visitors visited Waitomo caves each year. The annual tourism spend in the district is estimated to be ...Missing: Glowworm | Show results with:Glowworm
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Waitomo Glowworm Caves - Postcard
Truly a one-of-kind experience that I would recommend to everyone. The best way to describe this experience is like you're floating in a sea of stars. You can ...
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WAITOMO GLOWWORM CAVES - 215 Photos & 78 Reviews - Yelp
Rating 3.9 (78) First things first: The caves are amazing and the gloworms are phenomenal and unique My review is for the cave tour with boat ride exclusively. And I am sad to ...
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[PDF] Waitomo Glowworm Caves Visitor Centre
The facilities buildings at the Waitomo. Glowworm Caves were completely razed to the ground from a fire on 14 December 2005. The loss of the infrastructure ...
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Waitomo Glowworm Caves Visitor Centre - LSAA
Feb 13, 2015 · New amenities for visitors to the Waitomo Caves includes tourist gathering areas, 250-seat dining, retail, seminar and exhibition areas as well as a café and ...Missing: infrastructure facilities
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Waitomo Glowworm Caves Visitor Centre
The unique Waitomo Glowworm Caves Visitor Centre features an innovative crisscrossed roof that evokes a Maori hinaki (eel trap).
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Health and Safety | Discover Waitomo
We follow a strict protocol of safety procedures and adhere to guidelines in accordance with national and international safety standards. Our guides, equipment, ...Missing: pathways | Show results with:pathways
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About Waitomo Caves | Glowworm Grottoes & Māori Heritage
Starting from NZ$81.00 Rating 4.6 (1,494) The caves were first explored by local Maori Chief Tane Tinorau and English surveyor Fred Mace in 1887. Waitomo's name comes from the Maori words 'wai' (water) ...<|separator|>
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Environment & Sustainability | Discover Waitomo
This strategy describes 5 key focus areas; Climate Change, Responsible Travel, Nurturing our Crew, Embracing our Communities and Shareholder Satisfaction.
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Waitomo Glowworm Caves, Waitomo, New Zealand
Latitude and longitude coordinates are: -38.261894, 175.098572. Waitomo Glowworm Caves are a very popular attraction and a natural wonder which includes a chain ...Missing: exact | Show results with:exact
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Ruakuri's unique karst landscape benefits from zero rat density
Feb 13, 2019 · The Ruakuri Scenic Reserve is an epic example of cave and karst landscape and sanctuary to New Zealand's endemic long-tailed bats.
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Getting to Waitomo - Transport & Tours
Waitomo is situated within easy reach of the North Island of New Zealand's main centres. ; Auckland to Waitomo, 202 km | 125 mi, 2.5 hours ; Hamilton to Waitomo ...
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Top 10 Tips to Make the Most of the Waitomo Glowworm Caves
The native forest and farmland surrounding Waitomo Caves hides a plethora of stunning natural attractions. Our favourite free activities in the Waitomo area ...Missing: environment | Show results with:environment
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Waitomo Caves Location | Transport Options, Tips & More
Rating 4.6 (1,488) Where are Waitomo Caves located & how to get there? ... Most buses stop near the Waitomo Glowworm Caves Visitor Centre, making it easy to access all three caves.
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Guide to Waitomo Glowworm Caves - Britz Campervans
This site offers free parking, and an underground pedestrian tunnel provides safe access without crossing the road. The car park is on a hill, so it's best ...
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Waitomo Glowworm Caves Parking, Hamilton, New Zealand
The parking lot is located across the street from the Waitomo caves entrance. There is also an underground tunnel that goes to the area so it is quite safe.
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How do I get to Waitamo caves using public... - Tripadvisor
Jan 2, 2019 · The journey to Waitomo Caves takes approximately 2 hours 40 minutes and departs from the InterCity Sky City bus Terminal at 102 Hobson Street, ...Missing: access | Show results with:access
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Waitomo Caves & Otorohanga | Great Journeys NZ | Official
Reaching Waitomo Caves by train is very easy. The Northern Explorer train from Auckland and Wellington stops in Otorohanga, which is just 15 minutes taxi ride ...