Family Activities in Waitomo

Waitomo Family-Friendly Activities

Waitomo sits on a honeycomb of limestone caves beneath the Waikato countryside, home to Arachnocampa luminosa, the glowworm species found nowhere else on earth. Families can see the galaxy of blue lights on a gentle guided walk, or gear up for an underground river adventure once the kids are old enough. Here's how to plan your visit.

Ruakuri Cave Tour

The Ruakuri Cave Tour is Waitomo's most accessible cave experience, a 90 minute guided walk through limestone chambers including Holdens Cavern and the Drum Passage, descending through a unique spiral entrance built around an ancient burial site. Glowworms line the ceiling overhead, and the pathways are wheelchair and pushchair accessible up to 65cm wide, making this the pick for families with younger kids, prams or grandparents in tow. Photography is allowed throughout, so bring a camera for the kids to capture the limestone formations.

Waitomo Glowworm Caves Tour

The Waitomo Glowworm Caves Tour takes families through two levels of cave on foot before boarding a silent boat for the final stretch, drifting beneath thousands of glowworms clustered on the cave ceiling. It's suitable for all ages, with children under 4 travelling free when booked in alongside the family, making it an easy first cave experience for younger explorers.

Black Water Rafting Labyrinth Tour

The Black Water Rafting Labyrinth Tour is the pick for older kids, teens and adults ready to go further underground, a 3 hour tubing adventure through Ruakuri Cave with small waterfall jumps and a glowworm filled finale. Wetsuits and all gear are provided, and no previous caving experience is needed, just a minimum age of 12 and a minimum weight of 45kg.

Frequently asked questions

Which Waitomo cave tour is best for young kids?

The Ruakuri Cave Tour and the Waitomo Glowworm Caves Tour both suit younger kids, with the Ruakuri tour's wheelchair and pushchair friendly pathways making it the easiest option for families with prams.

What age do you need to be for black water rafting?

The Black Water Rafting Labyrinth Tour has a minimum age of 12 and a minimum weight of 45kg, making it a good step up for older kids and teens once they have outgrown the gentler cave walks.

Is the Ruakuri Cave Tour wheelchair accessible?

Yes, Ruakuri Cave is fully accessible for wheelchairs and pushchairs up to 65cm wide, with pathways powered entirely by renewable energy.

Can we take photos inside the Waitomo caves?

Photography is permitted at Ruakuri Cave, while the Waitomo Glowworm Caves ask visitors to leave cameras behind to protect the glowworms from light sensitivity.

Do we need caving experience for black water rafting?

No, no previous caving experience is required for the Black Water Rafting Labyrinth Tour, just a reasonable comfort level in the water, swimming ability isn't essential.

Local tip: book the Ruakuri Cave Tour or Glowworm Caves Tour for younger kids in the morning, then let older kids and teens tackle the Black Water Rafting Labyrinth Tour in the afternoon once everyone has had a dry run at the glowworms first.

Sort your family's Waitomo cave adventure above, a gentle accessible walk, a glowworm lit boat ride, or an underground tubing adventure for the braver members of the crew. Never stop exploring.