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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.
All prices are shown inNZD ($)
- Per Person$189.00
- Per Person$189.00
- Per Person$189.00 Less than 6 at this price!
- Per Person$189.00 Less than 6 at this price!
- Per Person$189.00
- Per Person$159.00
- Per Person$189.00
- Per Person$159.00
- Per Person$189.00
- Per Person$109.00
- Per Person$189.00
- Per Person$189.00
- Per Person$159.00
- Per Person$189.00
- Per Person$189.00
- Per Person$219.00
- Per Person$189.00
- Per Person$189.00
Authenticated Reviews
Real highlights, tips, and the helpful advice straight from Bookme customers who’ve actually done this experience, summarised with AI support
- emergencyThe tour guide Ash received high praise for being friendly and engaging (9 people said this).
- emergencyCustomers loved the unique and beautiful natural surroundings of the caves and glowworms (8 people said this).
- emergencyMany found the small group size made for a more personal and enjoyable experience (6 people said this).
- emergencyParticipants appreciated the fun and adventurous nature of the tour, including climbing and exploring (7 people said this).
- emergencyGuests enjoyed the complimentary biscuits and warm hospitality from the family-run business (5 people said this).
- emergencyThe overall experience was described as unforgettable and highly recommended (10 people said this).
- star_shineBring a camera for great photos.
Wear comfortable shoes for exploring.
Showing all 677 authenticated Bookme reviews
Sydney Cook from New Zealand wrote on 09 December 2025
A Must Do
The tour was amazing and the tour guide was even better. Ash made sure everyone was enjoying the tour and took the best pictures to document it. Afterwards you have biscuits with the family and they really make you feel welcome. If you want to do a Glowworm Cave tour do this one!
Laura Dietz from New Zealand wrote on 21 September 2025
Wonderful Experience
It was a unique and wonderful experience. We felt very comfortable with our guide Ash. I can only recommend this cave Glowworm tour to everyone. it was very exciting!!
From Waitomo’s Hidden Gem: Small-Group Off the Beaten Track Tour
Thanks so much, Laura! 💚 We’re thrilled you had such a wonderful time with Ash. Our small-group tours through our family’s private cave system are designed to feel personal, exciting, and one-of-a-kind — it was lovely to meet you both, enjoy the rest of your NZ travels,
diegop4 from Brazil wrote on 10 September 2025
Absolutely Recommended!
Exactly as advertised, a very nice family business away from the crowds in a gorgeous area. They offer all the equipment, you do get a bit cold, but just a minor discomfort when compared to the fun you get. Ash (our guide) is a natural that made us feel part of the family. Hope to come back someday.
From Waitomo’s Hidden Gem: Small-Group Off the Beaten Track Tour
Thank you, Diego! 💚 We’re so glad you enjoyed the adventure — being a small family business with our own private cave system means we can keep tours away from the crowds and truly personal. Wonderful to hear you’d like to come back one day — we’d love to welcome you again!
Marek Kolegar from Czech Republic wrote on 24 June 2025
Amazing
Thank you Ash 🤌🤌🤌
From Waitomo’s Hidden Gem: Small-Group Off the Beaten Track Tour
Your welcome, thanks for visiting mate.
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anastazie from Czechia wrote on 16 May 2026
Amazing adventure
It was so much fun. They gave us clothes, gumboots and all the equipment. There were only few people in the group and the guide was great. He was funny and professional and took amazing pictures of us with the glowworms.