Waitomo Glowworm Caves
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The Waitomo Glowworm Caves attraction is a cave at Waitomo on the North
Island of New Zealand. It is known for its population of Arachnocampa luminosa,
a glowworm species found exclusively in New Zealand. This cave is part of the
Waitomo Caves system that includes the Ruakuri Cave and the Aranui Cave.
The attraction has a modern visitor centre at the entrance, largely designed in
wood. There are organized tours that include a boat ride under the glowworms.
The guided tour through the Waitomo Glowworm Caves brings the visitor through
three different levels and begins at the top level of the cave and the
Catacombs. The levels are linked by the Tomo, which is a 16 m vertical shaft
made of limestone. The second level is called the Banquet Chamber.
This level is where early visitors stopped to eat and there is evidence of this
in the smoke on the ceiling of the chamber. From here it may be possible to link
back to the upper level to see the largest formation called the Pipe Organ but
on busy days this area is closed to the public because the build-up of carbon
monoxide may be hazardous.
The third and final level goes down into the Cathedral, demonstration platform,
and the jetty. The Cathedral is an enclosed area with rough surfaces, now paved,
and is about 18 m high, giving it good acoustics. A number of famous singers and
choirs have performed here including Dame Kiri Te Kanawa.
The tour concludes with a boat ride through the Glowworm Grotto. The boat takes
the visitor onto the underground Waitomo River where the only light comes from
the tiny glowworms creating a sky of living lights.
Getting There
The Waitomo Glowworm Caves are located in the southern Waikato region of the
North Island of New Zealand, 12 km northwest of Te Kuiti. This cave is about 2
hours south of Auckland, 1 hour south of Hamilton, and 2 hours west of Rotorua
by car.
The directions to the Caves are to exit State Highway 3 onto Waitomo Caves Road
and to continue on the road for about 8 km.
This tourist attraction is well serviced by public transport including taxis,
buses and shuttle.
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