Waitomo Caves is a village and solutional cave system, which is major tourist attraction in North Island of New Zealand. The limestone landscape of Waitomo has been the centre of popular caving tourism in New Zealand since 1900. Today, a visit to Waitomo Caves is a New Zealnd must-do. The main caves in Waitomo are Glow worm Caves, Ruakuri Cave and Aranui Cave. However, there are about 300 known caves in the area.
The Waitomo Glowworm Caves were first discovered in 1887 by Maori Chief Tane Tinorau and the caves were taken over by the New Zealand government in 1906. However, the land and the caves are owned by descendants of the original Maori owners. At present many staff employed at the caves today are direct descendants of Chief Tane Tinorau and his wife, Huti.
World-renowned and a magnet for both local and overseas travellers, the Waitomo Glowworm Caves occupy a high placing in the New Zealand vacation wish-list. Waitomo Glowworms Caves is world famous for its population of Arachnocampa luminosa, a glowworm species found exclusively in New Zealand. It is approximately 3 hours drive from Auckland and 2 hours drive from Rotorua. Book a boat tour to experience Glow worm Caves in Waitomo and enjoy the world famous underground boat ride along the Waitomo river under thousands of beautiful Glow worms. The boat will take you onto the underground Waitomo River, where the only light comes from the magical Glow worms creating a beautiful sky of living lights.