A visit to the world-famous Waitomo limestone formations and cave systems to see the shimmering lights of thousands of tiny glow-worms is a magical subterranean experience. The Arachnocampa luminosa glow-worm is unique to New Zealand. Hundreds of limestone caves lie beneath the craggy King Country hillside. Created by geological and volcanic activity, the caves have evolved over 30 million years. The area originally lay on the seabed and over millions of years became caked with shells and marine skeletons. The movement of water reduced this matter to dust which set hard, in the process creating limestone.
Visitors can view prehistoric limestone formations and crystal lacework and marvel at the exquisite colour variations in the stalactites, stalagmites and flowstones.
Geysers? Bubbling mudpools? Crashing waterfalls? Spa pools? Rotorua has them all in abundance.
Located 233 km south-east of Auckland, Rotorua’s spectacular geothermal wonders have long provided a mecca for visitors and the city’s reputation as a spa town is legendary. The city is sited inside the rim of a volcanic crater on the southern edge of Lake Rotorua, one of the region’s largest lakes. Rainbow and brown trout swim in the region’s 12 beautiful lakes. The local indigenous Maori are from the Te Arawa tribal confederation and they offer visitors a number of authentic Maori cultural experiences.
Points of Interest:
Waitomo Glow Worm Caves
Agrodome Complex
Farm tour, sheep-shearing and dog trial demonstration
Government Gardens and past the Rotorua lakefront
Te Puia Maori Cultural Performance
Inclusion
Hotel / Motel Pick ups from Auckland City Hotels and drop off
Guided tour
Boxed lunch
Morning tea
Evening Snack
Admissions
Taxes
Multilingual commentary is available in Japanese, Mandarin & Spanish
Exclusion
Gratuities (optional)
Hours of operation
Available Daily
Pick-up time: 6:35am - 7:10am
Departure time: 7:30am
Duration
Approx.
Duration
Approx. Duration: 13 hours
Redemption instructions
Guest must present voucher to driver in exchange for services.
Policies
Guest is required to call at least 24 hours prior to your departure to confirm reservations.
Complete information, including local telephone numbers at your destination, will be included on your Confirmation Voucher.
Children under the age of 5 are free if not occupying a seat.
All information requested must be supplied or booking is subject to automatic cancellation
Highlights / General details
A visit to the world-famous Waitomo limestone formations and cave systems to see the shimmering lights of thousands of tiny glow-worms is a magical subterranean experience. The Arachnocampa luminosa glow-worm is unique to New Zealand. Hundreds of limestone caves lie beneath the craggy King Country hillside. Created by geological and volcanic activity, the caves have evolved over 30 million years. The area originally lay on the seabed and over millions of years became caked with shells and marine skeletons. The movement of water reduced this matter to dust which set hard, in the process creating limestone.
Visitors can view prehistoric limestone formations and crystal lacework and marvel at the exquisite colour variations in the stalactites, stalagmites and flowstones.
Geysers? Bubbling mudpools? Crashing waterfalls? Spa pools? Rotorua has them all in abundance.
Located 233 km south-east of Auckland, Rotorua’s spectacular geothermal wonders have long provided a mecca for visitors and the city’s reputation as a spa town is legendary. The city is sited inside the rim of a volcanic crater on the southern edge of Lake Rotorua, one of the region’s largest lakes. Rainbow and brown trout swim in the region’s 12 beautiful lakes. The local indigenous Maori are from the Te Arawa tribal confederation and they offer visitors a number of authentic Maori cultural experiences.
Points of Interest: Waitomo Glow Worm Caves Agrodome Complex Farm tour, sheep-shearing and dog trial demonstration Government Gardens and past the Rotorua lakefront Te Puia Maori Cultural Performance
Inclusion
Hotel / Motel Pick ups from Auckland City Hotels and drop off Guided tour Boxed lunch Morning tea Evening Snack Admissions Taxes Multilingual commentary is available in Japanese, Mandarin & Spanish
Exclusion
Gratuities (optional)
Hours of operation
Available Daily Pick-up time: 6:35am - 7:10am Departure time: 7:30am
Duration Approx.
Duration
Approx. Duration: 13 hours
Redemption instructions Guest must present voucher to driver in exchange for services.
Policies
Guest is required to call at least 24 hours prior to your departure to confirm reservations. Complete information, including local telephone numbers at your destination, will be included on your Confirmation Voucher. Children under the age of 5 are free if not occupying a seat.
All information requested must be supplied or booking is subject to automatic cancellation
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Auckland Auckland , Auckland, New Zealand
0116493077880
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This travel guide also includes text from Wikipedia articles, all available at View full credits