Home > Rotorua > Rotorua to Auckland via Waitomo Glowworm Caves One-Way Tour
USD $176.00
Rotorua to Auckland via Waitomo Glowworm Caves One-Way Tour
Rotorua, New Zealand
Travel from Rotorua to Auckland and discover one of New Zealand’s top attractions on this 7.5-hour tour of the Waitomo Caves from Rotorua. Travel through the beautiful Mamaku Ranges and discover the scenic countryside of Waikato. Admire local highlights such as Fitzgerald Glade’s leafy canopy. Explore the subterranean Waitomo Caves and marvel at the bright glow-worms living there. Take a boat ride through the cave system and learn of its history from your guide, then enjoy a little free time to explore the Waitomo visitors’ complex at your leisure.
Following a morning pickup from your Rotorua hotel, meet your guide and hop aboard your luxury coach for the journey to New Zealand’s famous Waitomo Caves. Travel through picturesque rural scenery of the Mamaku Ranges and listen as your guide talks of the area’s heritage on route. Enjoy spectacular sights such as Fitzgerald Glade — where the trees arch overhead to form a tunnel of natural greenery — and capture the countryside views on camera.
On arrival at Waitomo Caves, follow your guide for a 45-minute tour through the world-famous subterranean caverns. Learn how the stalagmites, stalactites and other spectacular limestone rock formations formed over millions of years, and soak up the atmosphere in this otherworldly cavern system beneath the ground.
Take a boat ride through the caves and marvel at the thousands of tiny lights emitted by the glow-worms hanging from the ceilings. First discovered in 1887, the caves are home to glow-worms unique to New Zealand and now rank among the country’s most fascinating and popular attractions.
After your boat ride, explore the Waitomo visitors’ complex at your leisure and learn more about this unique and beautiful corner of New Zealand. Take a seat and relax amongst the trees in the natural setting outside the caves or enjoy a buffet lunch (if option selected). Restaurant and café-style meals are available at your own expense.
When your time at the Waitomo Caves is up, hop back aboard your coach for the onward journey north toward Auckland. Pass through the ‘Bridge City’ of Hamilton and the lush farmland of the Waikato region — the dairy farming capital of New Zealand — and arrive in Auckland in the mid-afternoon to conclude your tour.
If you plan to travel from Rotorua to Auckland there is no better way than this tour. The bus is spacious and comfortable with WiFi. The driver is knowledgeable and gives commentary as you drive through NZ. The caves are a amazing. Looks like gazing into space.
Review by: Tony, February 2018
I had thought about renting a car from Rotorua to Auckland, but I shied away from this because of the challenges of driving on the other side of the road. Then we learned that we could take the bus from Rotorua and stop at the famous Waitomo glowworm caves on the way to Auckland. Accomplish two goals at once? We took quick advantage of the opportunity. What can you say about glowworms? The famous song may be American, but the species of fly or gnat is unique to New Zealand. Very few persons outside of New Zealand have seen glowworms, and any opportunity to see them should not be missed. At the site, we got into a small boat and went through the caves under the innumerable dots of light above out heads. The view of the glowworms lasts just 15 minutes or so, but it is definitely worth it. The bus ride through the New Zealand countryside was lovely. All in all, this was a truly wonderful way to get from point A to point B.
Review by: KimC, January 2018
This tour was great! I loved the knowledge that i gained all through the ride and the caves were unbelievable. Highlight of my trip. I have taken a few tours now and the tour guide on this trip was the coolest nicest one ive had. She deserves a raise for sure!
Review by: Anya K, December 2017
Waitomo caves were very impressive even without the glowworms. The boat ride in the dark, with glowing stars glowworms was just magical. Our cave guide was great - funny, knowledgeable and very personable._br/_ The bus ride was good, our driver had a lot of interesting information about the area to share. He got really annoyed when people were talking a parent quietly explaining something to a small child during the same time he was talking and he didn't hesitate to chastise those offenders with a good 2-minute lecture - not appropriate at all, in my opinion.
Review by: Paul R, June 2017
was a long bus trip, transfer ran smoothly and the caves were incredible!
Review by: marymcveygill, March 2017
The driver picked us up on time at our hotel and provided a very interesting commentary all the way from Rotorua to Auckland. The cave tour was amazing--a great experience.
Review by: Anna Maria T, February 2017
see the Witomo caves is a unique experience in the world
Review by: Jessica, February 2017
see the Witomo caves is a unique experience in the world
Review by: Tamara W, January 2017
A good way to travel from Rotorua to Auckland, with an interesting stop at the very cool caves which would otherwise be quite inaccessible. Driver was fun, knew alot about the area and was responsive to the group.
Review by: Saori S, December 2016
Amazing Waitomo Glowworm experience. Awesome diver - she was very knowledgeable, safe, friendly diver!! Highly recommended.
Review by: HYON SIK V, May 2016
The Caves are very interesting., but boat riding time was very short. Tour guide was very generous and knowledgeable._br/_ .
Review by: William W, February 2015
The tour of the cave was great. Seeing the Waitomo Gloworms is a must if you are in NZ. I can't say the same for Intercity Tours that operates this tour. Had several tours with Intercity in NZ. Their drivers are surly and while they will pick you up at your hotel, they don't tell you they don't drop off at your hotel. So plan for an additional taxi ride.
Review by: William W, February 2015
The tour of the cave was great. Seeing the Waitomo Gloworms is a must if you are in NZ. I can't say the same for Intercity Tours that operates this tour. Had several tours with Intercity in NZ. Their drivers are surly and while they will pick you up at your hotel, they don't tell you they don't drop off at your hotel. So plan for an additional taxi cost in Auckland that could exceed $30 or more for a short hop.
Review by: William W, February 2015
The tour of the cave was great. Seeing the Waitomo Gloworms is a must if you are in NZ. I can't say the same for Intercity Tours that operates this tour. Had several tours with Intercity in NZ. Their drivers are surly and while they will pick you up at your hotel, they don't tell you they don't drop off at your hotel. So plan for an additional taxi cost in Auckland that could exceed $30 or more for a short hop.
Review by: William W, February 2015
The tour of the cave was great. Seeing the Waitomo Gloworms is a must if you are in NZ. I can't say the same for Intercity Tours that operates this tour. Had several tours with Intercity in NZ. Their drivers are surly and while they will pick you up at your hotel, they don't tell you they don't drop off at your hotel. So plan for an additional taxi cost in Auckland that could exceed $30 or more for a short hop.
Review by: Junko B, June 2013
I loved the tour:)_br/_
Waitomo Glowworm is the place you cant miss if you have an opportunity to go to Aucland/Rotorua._br/_
I highly recommend this tour all tourists
Review by: Mikhail K, November 2012
Good trip, some nice stops besides the cave, the cave itself is worth of money paid, - so highly recommended!
Review by: NADIA YOLANDA M, June 2010
The bus driver didn't pick us up from the hotel, it was at a centre located in Rotorua. The tour we booked said we would be picked up. Waitomo Glowworm tour was okay but the time expended there was too short for the price we paid. Finally when we arrived in Auckland the bus stopped at their central offices, and again they didn't leave us at our hotel, again very close to their offices.
Review by: Mei Ling C, June 2010
Photography at selected locations should be allowed, otherwise a great tour.
Review by: Nadia Yolanda M, Ecuador, December 2009
The bus driver didn't pick us up from the hotel, it was at a centre located in Rotorua. The tour we booked said we would be picked up. Waitomo Glowworm tour was okay but the time expended there was too short for the price we paid. Finally when we arrived in Auckland the bus stopped at their central offices, and again they didn't leave us at our hotel, again very close to their offices.
Review by: NADIA YOLANDA M, December 2009
The bus driver didn't pick us up from the hotel, it was at a centre located in Rotorua. The tour we booked said we would be picked up. Waitomo Glowworm tour was okay but the time expended there was too short for the price we paid. Finally when we arrived in Auckland the bus stopped at their central offices, and again they didn't leave us at our hotel, again very close to their offices.
Review by: Mei Ling C, Singapore, March 2008
Photography at selected locations should be allowed, otherwise a great tour.
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