Black Water Rafting, Glow Worm Caves & Caving Tours

A huge network of limestone caves with magnificent craggy formations, gushing waterways (Black Water rafting in Waitomo), vast caverns and most famously glow-worms under rolling farmland hills have led to caving enthusiasts the world over paying a visit to the quaint village of Waitomo, about an hour south of Hamilton. The main attractions are in the aptly named Glow-worm Cave, which can be viewed on an underground boat ride, while Aranui, Ruakari and Spellbound Caves all have guided tours as well that are accessible for those with any level of fitness.

However, if it’s more high adrenalin action you’re after there’s no shortage in Waitomo. With tubing, blackwater rafting, abseiling, exploring underground waterfalls and plenty of wriggling through small gaps on offer through a lot more of the 300 or so mapped caves than most people get to, you’ll be more than satisfied when you finally surface above ground.