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Milky Way Glowworm Cave Tour - Waipu
See New Zealand's world famous glowworms in the Milky Way Glowworm Cave. Several tours daily. 2 hours North of Auckland.
See New Zealand's world famous glowworms in the Milky Way Glowworm Cave.
Several tours daily. 2 hours North of Auckland.
Highlights
- See New Zealand's world-famous glow worms very close up and learn all about them
- The closest glowworm cave to Auckland
- Take photos and have memories to share for a life time!
- See ancient fossilised bones
- The only privately owned and operated walk-in glowworm show-cave in the world.
Experience the Milky Way Glowworm Cave on this guided 1-hour tour suitable for all ages.
See New Zealand's world-famous glowworms up close and marvel at the beautiful hanging crystal formations. Hear the soothing sounds of the stream and dripping water while admiring the sparkle of glowworms in the dark.
Discover ancient moa bones and learn about the lives of the glowworms, how the cave was formed and about the formations. Loving nature is not just about seeing with your eyes, but knowing with your mind and heart.
The guided tour starts at the office and leads you through native forest on a gravel path, then down 30 steps into the cave, along a concrete path with hand rails. You are provided a hand held torch which gives you a real cave experience in a safe way while staying clean and dry.
Plus, you can take photos, which many other cave tours don't allow.
Don't miss this awe-inspiring top-rated adventure with the most information and educational close up opportunity with glowworms in NZ!
The Milky Way Glowworm Cave was open to public viewing in 2023 after being kept secret for over 100 years. It is the Jewel of a privately owned conservation and recreation park called Waipu Caves Farm Park, which also has camping site for tents and motorhomes.
A second cave tour option for those wanting a longer time underground, goes twice the distance into the cave, past the Milky Way Chamber (the 1 hour tour) and goes to the Starburst Cathedral which was opened in December 2025. The longer Starburst Cathedral tour last 90 minutes and give a lot more information and does not have young children on it. It is the tour you should take if you want the best photos and love learning in depth.
Make sure you know where we are, before you book a tour. We are 2 hours, 125km, North of Auckland. We are the closest glowworm cave to Auckland.
All prices are shown inNZD ($)
- Adult$36.00 Less than 6 at this price!
- Child$30.00
- Adult$31.00 Less than 6 at this price!
- Child$30.00
- Adult$31.00 Less than 6 at this price!
- Child$30.00
- Adult$36.00 Less than 6 at this price!
- Child$30.00
- Adult$31.00 Less than 6 at this price!
- Child$30.00
- Adult$36.00 Less than 6 at this price!
- Child$30.00
- Adult$36.00 Less than 6 at this price!
- Child$30.00
- Adult$27.00 Less than 6 at this price!
- Child$30.00
- Adult$31.00 Less than 6 at this price!
- Child$30.00
- Adult$31.00 Less than 6 at this price!
- Child$30.00
- Adult$36.00 Less than 6 at this price!
- Child$30.00
- Adult$31.00 Less than 6 at this price!
- Child$30.00
- Adult$27.00 Less than 6 at this price!
- Child$30.00
- Adult$36.00 Less than 6 at this price!
- Child$30.00
- Adult$36.00 Less than 6 at this price!
- Child$30.00
- Adult$36.00 Less than 6 at this price!
- Child$30.00
- Adult$36.00 Less than 6 at this price!
- Child$30.00
- Adult$40.00 Less than 6 at this price!
- Child$30.00
- Adult$36.00 Less than 6 at this price!
- Child$30.00
- Adult$40.00 Less than 6 at this price!
- Child$30.00
- Adult$36.00 Less than 6 at this price!
- Child$30.00
- Adult$36.00 Less than 6 at this price!
- Child$30.00
- Adult$36.00 Less than 6 at this price!
- Child$30.00
- Adult$36.00 Less than 6 at this price!
- Child$30.00
- Adult$40.00 Less than 6 at this price!
- Child$30.00
- Adult$36.00 Less than 6 at this price!
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- Adult$45.00
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- Adult$40.00 Less than 6 at this price!
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- Adult$40.00 Less than 6 at this price!
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- Adult$40.00 Less than 6 at this price!
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- Adult$40.00 Less than 6 at this price!
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- Adult$45.00
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- Adult$40.00 Less than 6 at this price!
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- Adult$45.00
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- Adult$40.00 Less than 6 at this price!
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- Adult$40.00 Less than 6 at this price!
- Child$30.00
- Adult$40.00 Less than 6 at this price!
- Child$30.00
- Adult$40.00 Less than 6 at this price!
- Child$30.00
- Adult$45.00
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- Adult$45.00
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- Adult$45.00
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- Adult$45.00
- Child$30.00
- Adult$45.00
- Child$30.00
- Adult$40.00 Less than 6 at this price!
- Child$30.00
- Adult$45.00
- Child$30.00
- Adult$45.00
- Child$30.00
- Adult$45.00
- Child$30.00
- Adult$45.00
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- Adult$45.00
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- Adult$45.00
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- Adult$45.00
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- Adult$45.00
- Child$30.00
- Adult$45.00
- Child$30.00
Authenticated Reviews
Real highlights, tips, and the helpful advice straight from Bookme customers who’ve actually done this experience.
Showing all 60 authenticated Bookme reviews
From Milky Way Glowworm Cave Tour - Waipu
Thanks very much for your review. Brooke is please to read it and know you enjoyed the tour. Look forward to seeing you back for the Starburst Cathedral Tour (the longer tour). Maybe it will be Brookes older sister who will be your guide as she guides either tour. The Starburst Cathedral Tour should be on Bookme by the end of February 2026.
anujk from New Zealand wrote on 05 February 2026
Awesome❤️
High recommendation
From Milky Way Glowworm Cave Tour - Waipu
thank you
kimdemham from New Zealand wrote on 04 February 2026
“Glowing” review
It was our 2nd visit to the caves and it was as amazing as our 1st time. Thank you JJ for making it so informative and for answering all our questions. The cave has stainless steel railing, concrete walkways and completely accessible and safe for all… It’s really an experience that I would encourage everyone to do, not to mention the ride to get to the caves is a beautiful, scenic trip, so double bonus.
From Milky Way Glowworm Cave Tour - Waipu
Thanks for your review and for returning for a second visit. We now have another tour option which is longer in time and distance. It is called the Starburst Cathedral. It goes in the same Milky Way Glowworm Cave but goes further. It should be live on Bookme by end of February 2026. Just to make it clear for everybody reading, your mention of the 'ride to the cave' is about your journey driving your car to us on the scenic rural country road, as we do not drive people to the cave. There is a 300m walk though.
Linda from Sweden wrote on 02 February 2026
Magical
Amazing experience of the wonders of nature.
From Milky Way Glowworm Cave Tour - Waipu
Awesome, thanks for your review.
Melody Murillo from New Zealand wrote on 30 January 2026
Waipu Glow worm tour
Had an error with booking,booked as the following day as my request.Nice experience with them,cave and glow worms were a great experience.
From Milky Way Glowworm Cave Tour - Waipu
Thanks for your review.
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D and I from New Zealand wrote on 15 February 2026
Nice tour
Happy to experience our Valentines Day here. Brooke was our tour guide and she was great. We enjoyed it a lot. It was a simple and easy tour. We will come again for the longer tour in the bigger chamber.