Waitomo

While your here

Head underground for a caving adventure in Waitomo
From adrenaline-fuelled fun to a gentle journey, there's something for everyone.
See a Kiwi up close: Otorohanga Kiwi House & Native Bird Park is the perfect place to see NZ's national icon.
Ride through stunning native ancient forest.
The Timber Trail boasts 85krn of picturesque trail across ancestral lands, suspension bridges and historic tramways. Dig yourself a natural hot water spa at low tide: Kawhia Ocean Beach on the west coast is one of the region's best hidden gems Immerse yourself in Kiwi pop culture.
The Kiwiana Walk in Otorohanga's town centre displays NZ's best-loved kiwiana icons.
Learn more about Waitomo's intricate cave network: The Museum of Caves in Waitomo will teach you everything you need to know
A hot spot for visitors from around the world, the Waitomo Caves offer a subterranean adventure unlike any other. With stunning formations and magical glowworms, there are plenty of ways to explore the underground caves. From walking tours and gentle boat rides down underground rivers,

to black water rafting, zip-lining, abseiling and high-wire climbing for the thrillseekers among us.
Above-ground you will find excellent cafes, restaurants and local organic produce to refuel after an active day exploring the area.
Great walking trails, including the Mangapohue Natural Bridge and Marokopa Falls walk, offer stunning karst landscape views, while the Pureora Forest Park is also home to The Timber Trail, which features native forests, breath-taking suspension bridges and historic tramways.
The area also stakes its claim in Middle-earth, with tours available through the stunning towering limestone cliffs, primeval native forest and massive "... rock formations of the Mangaotaki Valley near Piopio, which became the location for the Trollshaws Forest in The Hobbit: Art" .
An Unexpected Journey and is the home of 'sting'! Nearby Otorohanga, the self-proclaimed Kiwiana capital of NZ, celebrates all things New Zealand with its many tributes to Kiwi pop culture and national icons and gives visitors the chance to see the native Kiwi up close.
On the rugged west coast you'll find the beaches of Mokau, Awakino and Marokopa along with the hidden gem of Kawhia, where visitors can dig their own natural hot water spa at Ocean Beach and further south the sheep shearing capital of the country, Te Kuiti, completes the Waitomo and Surrounds area with the long-standing tradition of The Great NZ Muster and NZ Shears held each year.