AUCKLAND CAVE TOURS
Every trip has one free day too few. These 15 auckland cave tours justify the slot, priced and timed, with the stairs, the temperature and the wet bits stated plainly.
Leave Auckland at 6:30 a.m. with a local guide such as Shelley, Liam, Martin, or Matt. Tour Hobbiton’s movie set, enjoy a café lunch and Green Dragon drink, then glide beneath Waitomo’s glowworms before returning through Waikato countryside.
“Excellent experience would recommend for everyone but do play on walking a lot. Not good for the walking challenged.”
Travel from Auckland in a small group of up to 14 for Hobbiton’s 2.5-hour movie-set tour and a 45-minute boat ride beneath Waitomo’s glowworms. A local guide such as Danny, Shelley, or Stephen handles the long day, scenic stops, lunch, and commentary.
“Really fun and a great value!! The glow worm caves were so peaceful and beautiful!!!!”
Leave Auckland at 6:00 am for Hobbiton’s detailed movie set and a guided boat ride through Waitomo’s glowworm caves. Cheeky Kiwi guides such as Timmy, Pearl, Simon, and Grant add local stories, snacks, and scenic stops. Lunch, entry fees, and Auckland pickup are included.
“Even though the weather was terrible, this tour was well worth it. Also, combining the glow worms with Hobbiton works very well for a tour from Auckland.”
Leave Auckland at 7:45 am for Waitomo’s glowworm-lit caverns and Hobbiton Movie Set near Matamata. Expect about 12 hours on the road, a 48-person maximum, a picnic lunch, and commentary from guides such as David, Rachel, Nicky, and Em.
“David was our tour guide! Very kind, informative, and funny! The caves were stunning, and I had a blast at Hobbiton! I would definitely recommend this trip!”
Travel from Auckland by premium coach to the Waitomo Glowworm Caves and Hobbiton. Expect guided cave and movie-set tours, a picnic lunch, Wi-Fi, and lively commentary from driver-guides such as Rachel, Dave, Kenny, and Nicki.
“This tour was very fun! Our bus driver Rachel was very informative and made the drive go by fast. The glowworm caves were very cool to see and our host Cody was great! Hobiton was the star of the show! Such a cool tour and our guide Keith was great there! Overall a great tour and would highly recommend!”
This small-group day tour links Waitomo’s glowworm caves with Rotorua’s Te Puia geothermal and Māori cultural centre. You’ll travel in a group of up to 15, with hotel pickup, entry tickets, snacks, water, and guides such as Ben, Matt, Simon, or Grant sharing stories along the way.
“The tour was great, our driver did an amazing job. He was very attentive to our needs. And taught us all about new zealand thank you for all the hospitality your tour ❤️ group provides”
Spend 13 hours with Cheeky Kiwi Travel visiting Hobbiton and Waitomo from Auckland. Expect a maximum 16-person minibus, a 2.5-hour Hobbiton tour, a Green Dragon drink, lunch, scenic Waikato stops, and a silent boat ride beneath thousands of glowworms.
“The Hobbiton and Waitomo Caves trip was absolutely fantastic; a perfect blend of fun and learning. It was definitely time well spent. A big shoutout to our guide, Aled, who made the experience even better with his knowledge of New Zealand and the places we visited. He kept us engaged throughout the journey, was incredibly friendly, and made everyone feel welcome and comfortable. Thank you, Aled!”
Travel from Auckland by air-conditioned minibus to Waitomo’s limestone caves and glowworm grotto, then continue to Te Puia for geysers, Māori arts, a kiwi encounter, and cultural stories. Guides such as Liam, John, Ben, and Matt add commentary, snacks, and care to this very full day.
“Our trip to Waitomo Caves was terrific! John was a fabulous guide and driver. He added much fun to time in the van with interactive chat and great music. The caves were unbelievable! The sulphuric springs were amazing! Highly recommend this tour.”
Travel in a small group from Auckland to Hobbiton and Waitomo. Walk among 44 hobbit holes, enjoy a drink at the Green Dragon, eat a full buffet lunch, then glide beneath Waitomo’s glow worms. Guides such as Damian, Wayne, Murray, and Kelly are known for warm humor and strong local insight.
“Well organised tour, learned so much about NZ - tour guide was excellent- lunch was delicious - highly recommend”
Travel from Auckland to Spellbound Glowworm Caves in a small group of up to 11. Walk through two caves, learn from guides such as Hop, Ross, or Doug, then glide beneath thousands of glowworms by boat. Allow nine hours, wear warm shoes, and bring money for lunch in Otorohanga.
“JJ was absolutely amazing, a very sweet and polite man. He shared a lot of interesting information about NZ with us along the journey, he prepared some water and different snacks for us, made stops on the way for us to have some breaks during the drive, he just does everything to make your experience better. He even stopped at a farm, so we could feed some ostrich from our hands - and he took some great photos of it.”
Walk 1.3km through Auckland Domain’s ancient Pukekawa volcano with a guide such as Marius, Millie, Caleb, or Jonti. You’ll see glowworms beside a stream and waterfall, learn about their life cycle, and take non-flash photos. Expect darkness, roots, gravel, steps, and possible mud.
“Seeing the glow worms in their natural habitat was breathtaking—like stepping into a living galaxy. The tour guide Caleb struck the perfect balance between education and wonder, and the small-group setting made it feel intimate and special.”
Travel from Auckland CBD to Waitomo in a Mercedes Benz van with an English-speaking guide such as Dave, Nancy, or Raymond. After a short stop for refreshments, tour the caves and glide beneath thousands of titiwai glowworms. Expect about seven hours on the road and underground.
“Our guide was amazing! He had so much knowledge and was a genuinely friendly guy! The caves were stunning. So worth it!”
Join a small group of up to 10 for an evening walk through Awaruku Reserve on Auckland’s North Shore. Guides such as Legend and Chris explain glowworm biology, Māori connections, native trees, and conservation as you approach the worms in their natural habitat.
“Awesome night out looking at the Bioluminescence worms through the bush”
Travel from Auckland in a group of up to 11 with an English-speaking guide, visit the Waitomo Glowworm Caves, then see kiwi, tuatara, and native birds at Otorohanga Kiwi House. The cave boat ride lasts about 45 minutes. Lunch is separate.
Travel by minivan from Auckland to Rotorua and Waitomo. At Whakarewarewa, local guides explain Māori customs, geothermal life, and village traditions before a haka performance. Then take a boat through Waitomo Glowworm Caves. A picnic lunch, entry fees, and selected hotel pickup are included.
By boat, by ladder, by staircase or on a rope.
