Auckland · WAITOMO GLOWWORM CAVES TOURS

Waitomo Glowworm Caves: 15 Ways Underground

90 tours  ·  from $35 a head

Waitomo is two and a half hours from Auckland, so pick the cave before the coach. These 15 cover the Glowworm Grotto boat ride, Ruakuri’s walkways and the black water rafting trips, with prices and how wet you get.

Hobbiton & Waitomo Caves Guided Day Trip from Auckland incl lunch - A light lunch between the stops
1-Day Tours, Guided, Hobbiton Movie Set Tours, Lunch Experiences, Tour Reviews, Tours in Auckland, Waitomo Glowworm Caves Tours

Hobbiton & Waitomo Caves Guided Day Trip from Auckland incl lunch

1.Hobbiton & Waitomo Caves Guided Day Trip from Auckland incl lunch

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 2,677 reviews · from $229Our pick

Leave central Auckland early for a guided walk through Hobbiton’s hobbit holes, mill, and Green Dragon Inn, then enjoy a light café lunch and a boat ride beneath Waitomo’s glowworms. The small-group drive includes scenic country roads and commentary. Expect plenty of walking, a long day, and no glowworm photography.

“I don't often leave reviews, but this was a great experience. If you are a LOTR fan, the hobbiton is a must see. We went on a rainy day and the staff provided umbrellas for everyone and still provided a phenomenal tour. The tour guides were Read more”

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From Auckland: Hobbiton & Waitomo Caves Day Trip with Lunch - From Auckland through the Waikato
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From Auckland: Hobbiton & Waitomo Caves Day Trip with Lunch

2.Hobbiton & Waitomo Caves Day Trip with Lunch

★★★★★★★★★★4.9 · 2,505 reviews · 11 hours · from $221

Travel from central Auckland to Hobbiton and Waitomo in a small group, with a driver-guide sharing stories along the way. Explore the Shire on an official 2.5-hour tour, enjoy a drink at the Green Dragon Inn and have a light Kiwi-style lunch before a guided boat ride beneath Waitomo’s glowworms. Guides include Shelley, Danny, Stephen and Nelson.

“Great day out, everything went like clockwork. Stephen was an excellent guide and driver, welcoming and engaging.”

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Waitomo Caves: Labyrinth Black Water Rafting Experience - Scramble through Ruakuri’s limestone passages
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Waitomo Caves: Labyrinth Black Water Rafting Experience

3.Waitomo Caves: Labyrinth Black Water Rafting Experience

★★★★★★★★★★4.9 · 1,673 reviews · 3 hours · from $115

In Ruakuri Cave, you’ll climb through limestone passages, jump small underground waterfalls and float by tube beneath glowworms. Guides provide wetsuits, boots, helmets and safety instruction. The three-hour trip costs $115 per person, with a hot shower and snacks afterward. Bring swimwear and a towel; cameras are not allowed.

“Great time in the caves! Glowworms were absolutely beautiful to see and the guides made it super fun, thank you :)”

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Hobbiton & Waitomo Caves Small-Group Tour W Lunch from Auckland - Hobbiton: a village built to be explored
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Hobbiton & Waitomo Caves Small-Group Tour W Lunch from Auckland

4.Hobbiton & Waitomo Caves Small-Group Tour W Lunch from Auckland

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 1,117 reviews · from $235

Leave Auckland at 6:00 am for a full-day trip through Waikato farmland to Hobbiton’s carefully built movie village and Waitomo’s glowworm caves. A guide handles the long drive and shares local stories, while included entry, lunch, water, and snacks simplify the day. Groups are capped at 15, and both main attractions involve walking, stairs, or uneven ground.

“This was a great day out to see the sights of the North Island. Whilst it is a very long day, there is sufficient time to relax on the bus before anything of substance happens in the morning. The caves were lovely, but the real attraction was Hobbiton. We hadn't really watched the movies, other than quickly watching the first one prior to the trip. This didn't really matter at all, as Hobbiton is just wonderfully quaint and beautiful on its own accord. A lot of care has gone into the upkeep of the little village, and it takes a surprisingly long time to get around it all. The tour…”

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Waitomo Glowworm Caves Guided Tour - What happens during the 45-minute visit
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Waitomo Glowworm Caves Guided Tour

5.Waitomo Glowworm Caves Guided Tour

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 1,027 reviews · from $50Best value

At Waitomo Glowworm Caves, a local guide leads you through Cathedral Cave before a quiet boat ride beneath Arachnocampa luminosa, New Zealand’s native glowworm. The 45-minute tour combines cave formations, Māori and geological history, and the grotto’s star-like lights. Guides such as Cohen and Corey have led tours, though your guide may differ. Arrive 30 minutes early; photography is not allowed inside.

“We had an excellent and knowledgeable guide. Also the Filipino picture taking lady was very energetic and friendly. She made us excited for the tour.”

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Waitomo Caves: Ruakuri Cave 1.5 Hour Guided Tour - Limestone folds, crystal shapes and named passages
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Waitomo Caves: Ruakuri Cave 1.5 Hour Guided Tour

6.Waitomo Caves: Ruakuri Cave 1.5 Hour Guided Tour

★★★★★★★★★★4.7 · 985 reviews · from $66

Walk through Ruakuri Cave with a local English-speaking guide on a 90-minute tour. Expect a striking spiral entrance, limestone formations, underground water and glowworms, plus stories about places such as Holdens Cavern and The Drum Passage. Guides vary, with past tours led by people including Wi, Ellen and Aria. Transport is not included.

“This was magical. So cool. Never have I seen glow worms before. Thank you.”

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Hobbiton & Waitomo Caves Guided Tour from Auckland with Lunch - Leaving Auckland for the Waikato
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Hobbiton & Waitomo Caves Guided Tour from Auckland with Lunch

7.Hobbiton & Waitomo Caves Guided Tour from Auckland with Lunch

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 796 reviews · from $271

Leave Auckland at 7:45 am for a full-day coach trip to Waitomo Glowworm Caves and Hobbiton near Matamata. Expect guided cave and movie-set visits, a simple picnic lunch, a complimentary Green Dragon drink and commentary on the North Island. The drive is long, and guide names vary, with David, Rachel and Nicky among those leading tours.

“Amazing experience hobitton was more than I expected this experience will live forever. Our guide was great energetic and knowledgeable. Highly recommended this tour.”

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From Auckland: Waitomo & Hobbiton Bus Tour with Lunch - Waitomo’s caves finish in darkness
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From Auckland: Waitomo & Hobbiton Bus Tour with Lunch

8.Waitomo & Hobbiton Bus Tour with Lunch

★★★★★★★★★★4.7 · 789 reviews · 11h 30m · from $261

Travel from Auckland by premium coach to Waitomo’s limestone caves for a guided visit and a silent boat ride beneath glowworms, then tour Hobbiton’s hobbit holes, Green Dragon Inn and Party Tree. The day includes a picnic lunch and commentary from a driver-guide. Guides such as Rachel and Dave have earned praise for their local stories, but plan for a long day on the road.

“David our driver was amazing , he gave us so much information about NZ, he was like a parents taking care of child perfect. Mu at the waitomo cave was explaining everything in a smooth way. Victoria from the hobbiton let us enter in this magical set with some drop of new movie coming and all the secret about the lord of the ring set from the past . 5 stars”

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Waitomo Caves & Rotorua - Te Puia Small-Group Tour from Auckland - Waitomo’s glowworms and limestone chambers
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Waitomo Caves & Rotorua – Te Puia Small-Group Tour from Auckland

9.Waitomo Caves & Rotorua – Te Puia Small-Group Tour from Auckland

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 681 reviews · from $253

Travel from Auckland in a small group of up to 15, stopping in the Waikato countryside before a guided visit to Waitomo Glowworm Caves and Te Puia in Rotorua. Expect cave formations, a glowworm boat ride, Māori cultural interpretation, geothermal features and a city drive. Your guide handles the long return journey; lunch is at your own expense.

“I thought this tour was excellent the caves were amazing and the Glowworms , the tour guide was very informative and a lovely lady .”

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Auckland: Hobbiton & Waitomo Caves Small-Group Tour & Lunch - Hobbiton’s paths, gardens, and hobbit holes
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Auckland: Hobbiton & Waitomo Caves Small-Group Tour & Lunch

10.Hobbiton & Waitomo Caves Small-Group Tour & Lunch

★★★★★★★★★★4.9 · 607 reviews · 13 hours · from $226

Travel from Auckland in a minibus for up to 16, with a guide sharing stories about New Zealand along the way. Explore Hobbiton on a 2.5-hour guided visit, stop at Lake Karapiro, then take a guided walk and quiet boat ride beneath Waitomo’s glowworms. Lunch and a Green Dragon Inn beverage are included.

“Grant was an absolutely amazing tour guide!! He was friendly, prompt, efficient, and incredibly knowledgeable. We highly recommend this tour and make sure you get Grant as your tour guide!! Also Hobbiton and the Waitomo caves are a must see while in the North Island of New Zealand.”

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Hobbiton Movie set & Waitomo Caves Small Group Tour From Auckland - Waitomo’s glowworms and underground boat ride
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Hobbiton Movie set & Waitomo Caves Small Group Tour From Auckland

11.Hobbiton Movie set & Waitomo Caves Small Group Tour From Auckland

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 556 reviews · from $279

Leave Auckland at 6:00 am in a small group of up to 19, with city-center pickup, Wi-Fi, water, and snacks. At Hobbiton, take a guided set tour and have a drink at the Green Dragon Inn. Then explore Waitomo’s caves on foot and by boat. Guides such as Adil, Dave, and Raymond have earned praise for their commentary and care.

“Great job Raymond was a great guide. All day he keep us on-time and moving .!!!!!!! Amazing!!!!!!!!!”

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Waitomo’s Hidden Gem: Small-Group Off the Beaten Track Tour - From the farmhouse to the cave entrance
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Waitomo’s Hidden Gem: Small-Group Off the Beaten Track Tour

12.Waitomo’s Hidden Gem: Small-Group Off the Beaten Track Tour

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 431 reviews · from $135

Follow local guide Ash from a family-run property into the Mangarongapu Cave system, walking through native bush, scrambling over boulders, and wading through shallow streams to see glowworms in the dark. The group is capped at eight, caving gear and warm clothing are supplied, and the roughly three-hour outing ends with tea or coffee and cookies.

“Very pleasant host, understandable even with little knowledge of English, you should have a certain level of fitness and health as climbing over boulders and through narrow passages is required, and you should not be too much over the optimum weight, otherwise you won't be able to get through in some places...The cave with the carpet of glowworms on the ceiling is impressive...a tour that is worth it....”

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Black Water Rafting Experience Waitomo Caves Tour - Black Labyrinth: tubing, ledges and glowworm light
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Black Water Rafting Experience Waitomo Caves Tour

13.Black Water Rafting Experience Waitomo Caves Tour

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 362 reviews · from $119

In Ruakuri Cave, choose the 3-hour Black Labyrinth for tubing, glowworms and waterfall jumps, or the longer Black Abyss, which adds abseiling and ziplining. Wetsuits, boots, helmets and safety gear are supplied. Guides may include Lachie, Ricco, Sammy and Leo. Expect cold water, tight cave passages and a hot shower with soup afterward.

“Our family of 4 did the 3 hour cave tour and enjoyed every moment of the adventure. It is a physical expedience, wading through rushing water, crawling through tight spaces and jumping backwards off ledges into the inner tube with s deep plunge. The boots, wet suits and helmets provided and the guides have you always feel safe. The gentle floating through the glow worm tunnel was magical and something we will never forget.”

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From Auckland or Rotorua: Hobbiton & Waitomo Tour with Lunch - The drive from Auckland or Rotorua
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From Auckland or Rotorua: Hobbiton & Waitomo Tour with Lunch

14.From Auckland or Rotorua: Hobbiton & Waitomo Tour with Lunch

★★★★★★★★★★4.9 · 281 reviews · 11 - 13 hours · from $286

Travel from Auckland or Rotorua in a small group of up to 12, with an English-speaking driver-guide and hotel pickup from central Auckland. At Hobbiton, take a guided walk and enjoy a buffet lunch; at Waitomo, walk through the cave before a small-boat ride beneath the glowworms. Choose a return trip or a one-way transfer between Auckland and Rotorua.

“Visiting Hobbiton Movie Set on a perfect day was a fantastic experience. The entire property is beautiful and it was really special to be immersed in the surroundings of the LOTR hobbit village. It has been very well preserved. Our tour included an outstanding lunch on the Hobbiton property. The guide was knowledgeable and fun. It is worth seeing whether or not you have ever watched the LOTR movies. Followed by viewing the Waitomo glow worm caves by boat. What a unique experience to slowly drift in the dark, in silence, to take in such a wonder of nature. Looking at the ceiling and walls, the tiny lights of the…”

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Waitomo: Guided Eco-Cave Tour - The bush walk and Mangapu gorge warm-up
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Waitomo: Guided Eco-Cave Tour

15.Waitomo: Guided Eco-Cave Tour

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 278 reviews · 3h 30m · from $130

Spend 3.5 hours exploring caves on a family farm near Waitomo with a group of no more than eight. Guide Ash leads a bush and gorge walk before a hands-on cave outing with glowworms, streams, rocks, and no constructed paths. Clothing and boots are supplied, phones are welcome, and tea, coffee, and cookies await afterward.

“I was lucky to be the only person on the tour so had the guide’s full attention. I cannot speak highly enough about how magical this tour was. To sit in complete darkness with just the glow from the glow worms was so wonderful, and I was also lucky to see an eel swimming in the water. I was wet to the knees, dripped on, and had to lug myself back up out of the cave system with boots overflowing, after scrambling over large rocks and boulders, and I was, I think, the happiest I could possibly be!!! Thankyou! 🤗”

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