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Hamilton Explore New Zealand, Australia & Fiji!tune
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$109.00
- Per Person$189.00
- Per Person$159.00
- Per Person$189.00
- Per Person$189.00
- Per Person$219.00
- Per Person$109.00
- Per Person$189.00
- Per Person$189.00
- Per Person$189.00
- Per Person$189.00
- Per Person$189.00
- Per Person$189.00
- 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
- emergencyLe guide Ash a reçu de nombreux éloges pour sa convivialité et son engagement (9 personnes ont dit cela).
- emergencyLes clients ont adoré le cadre naturel unique et magnifique des grottes et des vers luisants (8 personnes ont dit cela).
- emergencyBeaucoup ont trouvé que la petite taille du groupe rendait l'expérience plus personnelle et agréable (6 personnes ont dit cela).
- emergencyLes participants ont apprécié le caractère amusant et aventureux de la visite, y compris l'escalade et l'exploration (7 personnes ont dit cela).
- emergencyLes invités ont aimé les biscuits offerts et l'hospitalité chaleureuse de l'entreprise familiale (5 personnes ont dit cela).
- emergencyL'expérience globale a été décrite comme inoubliable et fortement recommandée (10 personnes ont dit cela).
- star_shineApportez un appareil photo pour de superbes photos.
Porter des chaussures confortables pour explorer.
Showing all 677 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.
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 !
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.
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
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!
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Eva Thill from France wrote on 19 May 2026
Expérience magique
Cette excursion a été géniale. Nous formions un petit groupe, ce qui permet de prendre le temps pour faire des photos et avancer tranquillement. L’ambiance est conviviale et le guide est super. Il est vraiment sympathique est contribue grandement au bon souvenir que j’ai de cette journée. Il partagera avec vous toutes ses connaissances et sa passion. Je n’ai aucun regret d’avoir choisi cette excursion privée plutôt que celle en bateau très touristique. L’expérience était magique car l’exploration des grottes était pleine de surprises et magnifique. Je recommande fortement !