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

5.0
675
Deals from $109.00 Save $110.00 Check dates nowsystem_update_alt
Forget the footpaths and escape the crowds. Bring your camera or phone and capture the Waitomo experience you were really looking for — small groups, real caving, underground streams, and glowworms far from the main tourist trail.

Forget the footpaths and escape the crowds. Bring your camera or phone and capture the Waitomo experience you were really looking for — small groups, real caving, underground streams, and glowworms far from the main tourist trail.

Highlights

  • Amazing glow worm displays!
  • Phone/small cameras welcome
  • Only 2-8 people per group
  • Away from the crowds
  • Just the right amount of adventure
  • Authentic eco experience
  • Family owned and operated
  • #1 Trip Advisor rated tour in the Waitomo District

Do Waitomo Differently.

Looking for something far from the usual tourist stop? This is your chance to step off the beaten track and into a real New Zealand glowworm adventure.

Our 3.5-hour guided cave tour is designed for small groups of just 2–8 people, so it feels personal, relaxed, and far away from the crowds. Your adventure starts at our family farmhouse, where we kit you out with everything you need, clothing, boots, helmet, lights, and all the gear.

From there, we head into native bush, scramble over limestone boulders, wade through a freshwater stream, and make our way into our private cave system. There are no concrete paths, no handrails, and no artificial lighting, just you, your group, your guide, and one of Waitomo’s most incredible natural glowworm caves.

You are welcome to bring a small camera or phone on our tour. Yes, we are selfie approved! Your guide will also take photos during the tour, which we send to you for free afterwards — perfect for remembering the adventure without having to worry about capturing every moment yourself.

Your visit also helps protect the place you are exploring. A portion of every ticket goes straight back into conservation work on our land, helping us restore native forest, control pests, protect waterways, and care for the cave environment for the future.

After the cave, you can warm up with a hot shower and refreshments back at the farmhouse. We love meeting travellers from around the world and are always happy to share local tips, road trip ideas, and hidden gems around Waitomo and New Zealand.

Come and check out why we consistently receive 5-star reviews and are currently rated the #1 Outdoor Experience in the Waitomo District on Trip Advisor.

This is not a walk-through cave tour. This is a real, small-group, off-the-beaten-track glowworm adventure — and one of the most unforgettable ways to experience Waitomo.

Per Person $219.00

What's included

  • Photos emailed to you after the tour
  • Exclusive access to a private cave system
  • All caving equipment provided — helmet, headlamp, thermals, fleece, shorts, socks, gumboots
  • Small group experience — maximum of 8 participants
  • Experienced local guide with deep knowledge of the caves and land
  • Hot drinks and a snack at the end of your adventure
  • Shower facilities available on site

Duration

  • 3.5 hours

Location

  • 1199 Oparure Road,
  • Te Kuiti,
  • Waitomo.
  • Our tours take place on our private family farm in the Waitomo district, just 20 minutes from Ōtorohanga. You won’t find us by following the signs to the public “Waitomo Caves” — instead, enter 1199 Oparure Road into Google Maps and it will bring you straight to our base.

Restrictions

  • Minimum age: 12
    • Not wheelchair accessible
    • Not suitable for elderly travelers or those with significant mobility difficulties
    • Participants should have amoderate level of fitness
    • Participants must be able to climb over rocks, walk up hills, and wade through streams
    • Not recommended for children under 12 years
    • Tours may be cancelled or rescheduled in case of flooding or unsafe conditions

Notes

  • Please be aware that Down to Earth - Waitomo Eco Glowworm Cave Tours do not provide any pick-up services.

    IMPORTANT: This tour is not suitable for elderly or anyone with mobility difficulties as it involves climbing over boulders, walking up hills and wading through streams with rocks underfoot. A reasonable level of fitness is required..

  • Cancellations: Strictly no refund given if you cancel with less than 24hrs notice, or just don't show up for your booking. This is in addition with Bookme's Ts & Cs

Available Bookings from 8 Jun to 21 Jun 2026

All prices are shown in NZD ($)

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  • Per Person$109.00 Less than 6 at this price!

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  • Per Person$159.00

  • Per Person$189.00

  • Per Person$219.00

  • Per Person$159.00

  • Per Person$189.00

  • Per Person$189.00

  • Per Person$189.00

  • Per Person$189.00

Bookings close in 5 hours...

  • Per Person$169.00

  • Per Person$159.00

  • Per Person$189.00

  • Per Person$189.00

  • Per Person$219.00

  • Per Person$219.00

  • Per Person$189.00

  • Per Person$189.00

  • Per Person$189.00

  • Per Person$189.00

  • Per Person$189.00

Authenticated Reviews & PhotosAll of our reviews are from people who have booked and paid for this activity thru Bookme

Authenticated Reviews & PhotosAll of our reviews are from people who have booked and paid for this activity thru Bookme

5.0

675 reviews

Showing all 675 authenticated Bookme reviews

Yoann from France wrote on 01 May 2026

Super expérience!

Ash notre guide était génial, bienveillant et de bonne humeur! Nous en avons pris plein les yeux durant la traversée de ses grottes. Très content d’avoir fait cette expérience en petit groupe à l'écart des chemins touristiques. Je le recommande à tous ceux qui passeraient aux alentours de Waitomo.

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Chrystelle from France wrote on 22 March 2023

Une expérience magique !

Nous avons adoré ce parcours dans les caves. L'endroit est magnifique, entouré d'une belle forêt. Équipé de la tête au pied nous avons exploré les caves à pied pour plusieurs instants magique. Ayant una anglais approximatif notre guide articulait super bien et nous avons compris beaucoup de choses lors de ces explications. À vivre absolument !

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

Thanks for taking the time to write this AMAZING review :-) We are glad you enjoyed coming to hang out with us in our backyard in Waitomo. Take care and safe travels around New Zealand

Héléna from France wrote on 21 January 2020

Une expérience magique

L'accueil est chaleureux et enthousiaste. On nous habille de pied en cape pour une expédition spéléo en petit groupe (nous étions 6). On marche avec nos bottes dans une rivière, on se fraye un chemin entre les rochers entre lesquels on se contorsionne pour passer. De belles grottes avec plein de concrétions : stalactites, stalagmites, draperies, plusieurs salles avec des Glow Worms. Dans l'une d'elle, on reste 10 minutes dans le noir, si ce n'est ces "étoiles". C'est tellement beau que ça donne envie de pleurer.

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

Thanks Helena, it was lovely to meet you. We LOVE sharing our families backyard with visitors from all over the world everyday. We feel very blessed to have a cool job like this :-)

lenal from France wrote on 01 September 2019

Expérience incroyable

Le personnel est adorable, nous avons apprécié l'ambiance familiale. La visite de 3 heures était merveilleuse; vers luisants, escalade de rochers, balade dans un paysage à couper le souffle seront au rendez-vous! Magique

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

Thanks for your review, sometimes we sit back and are just amazed that we have the best job in the world!

Juline Salesse from France wrote on 14 May 2018

VRAIMENT SUPER

Cetait une expérience magique ! Jai adorée l'activité. Je recommande vivement. En 3h tu apprend plein de chose et tu vois plein de chose. Le guide était trop cool !

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This award identifies a business with a high level of professionalism, a keen awareness of the impact it has on the environment and a commitment to a customer centric approach.

This award is evidence of a sophisticated tourism business that consistently exceeds visitor expectations. Their proactive leadership and management ensure the business's focus on continuously improving their economic, social and environmental performance to create genuine, constantly evolving and sustainable tourism experiences.

This award recognises the best sustainable tourism businesses in New Zealand. It denotes exceptional customer experiences at the heart of everything the company does. This business is leading the way in making the New Zealand tourism industry a world class sustainable visitor destination.

When you see the Qualmark logo, your activity of choice is endorsed by New Zealand Tourism's official quality assurance organisation and backed by leaders in the industry. It's your trusted guide to iconic activities and experiences that are awarded for their exceptionally high level of quality, safety and sustainability.

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