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Auckland To Rotorua Via Waitomo Caves

Tour Info

  • Duration: 10 hours
  • Departure: 6.00am
  • Finish Time: 4.00pm approx.
  • Cancellation: Free cancellation up to 24 hours in advance – learn more
  • Food: Food and drinks at the morning and afternoon stops are at own cost
  • Operating Days: Operates 364 days of the year.
  • Child Pricing: Child price for ages 2-14

Overview

Set out on an incredible one-way journey from Auckland to Rotorua, with an unforgettable stop at the world-renowned Waitomo Caves. Our Auckland to Rotorua via Waitomo Caves One-Way Tour combines the stunning natural beauty of New Zealand’s countryside with the surreal underground wonders of the Waitomo Caves. This tour is perfect for those seeking a day of adventure and awe-inspiring sights, as you explore one of the country’s most unique geological formations and continue to Rotorua, known for its geothermal wonders and rich Maori culture.

Your adventure begins in Auckland, where you’ll board a comfortable, air-conditioned coach for the scenic 2.5-hour drive south to Waitomo. As you make your way through the picturesque Waikato region, your guide will share interesting facts about New Zealand’s history, culture, and the highlights of your journey. The drive offers stunning views of the lush countryside, rolling hills, and quiet farmlands, setting the perfect backdrop for your first stop at the Waitomo Caves.

Itinerary

Waitomo Caves:

Located in the heart of the Waikato region, the Waitomo Caves are one of New Zealand’s most famous natural attractions, known worldwide for their glowing glowworms and stunning limestone formations. These caves provide a fascinating underground experience, as you venture into a magical world illuminated by the soft, ethereal glow of thousands of tiny glowworms. Your experience in Waitomo will include:

Glowworm Cave Tour: Led by a local expert guide, you’ll enter the glowworm cave and witness the incredible bioluminescent glowworms that light up the cave ceiling like a starry sky. The glowworms, unique to New Zealand, are one of nature’s most extraordinary phenomena. As you float silently along an underground river on a boat, the glowworms create a magical atmosphere that is unlike anything you’ve ever seen.

Stalactites and Stalagmites: Along the way, your guide will point out the impressive limestone formations, including majestic stalactites and stalagmites. These natural wonders have formed over thousands of years and make the cave system even more awe-inspiring.

The Silent Cave: The quiet and serene environment inside the caves adds to the experience, making the glowworm display even more mesmerizing. As you explore, the atmosphere feels almost otherworldly, like a dream come to life beneath the earth.

After your unforgettable boat ride through the glowworm cave, you’ll have time to visit the cave’s visitor center, where you can purchase souvenirs, enjoy a light refreshment, or simply relax after your underground adventure.

Following your incredible Waitomo Caves experience, you’ll continue the drive to Rotorua, which takes about 1.5 to 2 hours. As you travel through the rolling hills of the Waikato and past small rural towns, you’ll see the landscape gradually change as you approach Rotorua. Your guide will provide interesting commentary about the geothermal wonders of Rotorua and the region’s rich Maori heritage, giving you a deeper understanding of the cultural and natural significance of your next destination.

You’ll arrive in Rotorua in the afternoon, ready to explore this geothermal paradise. Rotorua is famous for its hot springs, geysers, bubbling mud pools, and vibrant Maori culture. After your arrival, you’ll be dropped off at your Rotorua accommodation or a central location where you can begin your exploration of this fascinating town at your own pace.

Optional activities in Rotorua include:

Te Puia Geothermal Park: Explore geysers, mud pools, and take in a traditional Maori cultural performance.

Polynesian Spa: Relax in the famous thermal hot pools, which overlook Lake Rotorua.

Wai-O-Tapu Geothermal Wonderland: Discover Rotorua’s most colorful geothermal area, with stunning hot springs and sulphuric pools.

Maori Cultural Experience: Enjoy a hangi feast and witness a traditional Maori performance, learning about the indigenous culture of New Zealand.

Inclusions

  • Waitomo Caves Tour

    Experience the surreal beauty of the Waitomo Glowworm Caves, with a boat ride through the glowworm-lit caves and opportunities to see incredible limestone formations.

  • Scenic Drive

    Enjoy a comfortable 2.5-hour drive from Auckland to Waitomo, followed by a 1.5-2 hour drive to Rotorua through picturesque farmlands and rolling hills.

  • Expert Guides

    Learn about the history, geology, and culture of the Waitomo Caves and Rotorua region from your knowledgeable guide.

  • Optional Rotorua Activities

    Once you arrive in Rotorua, take advantage of the many attractions and activities available in this geothermal wonderland.

Highlights

Waitomo Caves Tour:

Experience the surreal beauty of the Waitomo Glowworm Caves, with a boat ride through the glowworm-lit caves and opportunities to see incredible limestone formations.

Scenic Drive

Enjoy a comfortable 2.5-hour drive from Auckland to Waitomo, followed by a 1.5-2 hour drive to Rotorua through picturesque farmlands and rolling hills.

Expert Guides

Learn about the history, geology, and culture of the Waitomo Caves and Rotorua region from your knowledgeable guide.

Optional Rotorua Activities

Once you arrive in Rotorua, take advantage of the many attractions and activities available in this geothermal wonderland.