Waitomo Glowworm Cave is a must-see for all travellers to New Zealand North Island. Waitomo is a Maori word where “Wai” means water and “tomo” means entrance.
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As we entered the cave, we saw strings of glowworms hanging down the cave’s ceiling like small crystals. At the end of the walk, we got onto a rowboat and were asked to keep very still and quiet throughout the ride as glowworms would be disturbed by noises. We glided ever so silently under thousands of glowworms that litted the cave like tiny blue stars. It was surreal and simply magical.
Ruanuki Cave
After the Glowworm cave, we visited the Ruanuki Cave which was filled with stalactites and stalagmites. These fascinating limestone formations were created by water dripping from the roof, falling to and flowing over cave walls leaving a deposit of crystalline. Over time crystal layers accumulate forming stalactites (hanging down) and stalagmites (growing up from the ground). Together, they form beautiful sculptures.
There was one part during our cave adventure where we experienced the true meaning of “pitch black“. I remembered back in school writing essays about being somewhere where it was pitch black, but I had never truly experienced pitch black until our visit to this cave. It was darker than the darkest night I had ever experienced. I could not even see the finger right in front of my eye!
Accommodations
After visiting the two caves, we continued our journey and stayed overnight at New Plymouth at Coronation Court Motel. Click here to look for family accommodations in New Plymouth.
NEXT DAY: Mount Taranaki
The trip to the caves was part of our 10-day New Zealand North Island road trip, which included a farm stay, a thermal wonderland and Maori show, Rotorua animal and zorbing adventures, and sailing in Auckland, the City of sails.
