The Essential Glowworm Tour
Includes: One Cave
Adult: $70 NZD
Child (0-14): $24 NZD
Max 12 people.
Duration: 90 Minutes (approx.)
Note: includes Glowworm Cave tour only
All Tours Depart From Here
334 Boddies Rd, Oparure Te Kuiti 3981
0800 773 552
Open daily - Booking is essential
[email protected]
Departure Information
We depart from 334 Boddies Rd Te Kuiti. Make sure you look up this address on Google Maps so you know where to find us and how long it should take to get there.
Our tours depart at the advertised time. Check in is 15 minutes prior to departure. Please be on time! Allowances can sometimes be made, so it's worth calling as soon as possible to discuss.
Bring Along
A warm top or jacket, walking shoes (trainers) and your camera. We do like to know about any fitness issues or injuries which may affect you during your tour, then we can give you a good indication if our tour will be suitable for you.
Camera Friendly
Suitable for all ages
Glowworms
Flat water
The Tour
Featuring:
- A 2km scenic drive across a farm.
- A short spectacular walk to the Mangawhitikau Glowworm Cave.
- Up to an hour in the glowworm cave including a 20min glowworm boat ride and photography
Frequently Asked Questions
Should I book in advance?
Yes, please do, our tours have limited places and we run only up to 6 tours per day. Last minute bookings are welcome when space allows.
Will the tour go ahead if it is raining?
Yes, usually. It takes a lot of rain to make our river flood, however, if it does flood, we will cancel for safety reasons. We make every attempt to let you know as soon as possible. If you feel concerned about possible flooding, please do ring us for more information. If we must cancel your tour, we will either refund you in full or rebook your tour, depending on availability.
Can I arrive late for my tour?
No, you must arrive on time. Arrival time is 20 minutes before departure. Our minibus departs promptly at the advertised time, and you will need to be in it, there’s a further 2.5km drive down to the caves. Please read our address carefully and arrive at this address. We are not in the Waitomo Village or near the Waitomo Glowworm Cave, we are 15kms from there.
Can you take more than 12 in a tour?
We can only take 12 per tour, however if your group is larger than 12 people, we may be able to schedule an extra tour for the same departure time. Please inquire with us.
How fit should I be?
We will need you to be able to walk gently, unaided for up 45 minutes on this tour. We do not allow wheelchairs or walking frames on this tour. We do have several short (30m) steep sections and a few stairs on our gravel paths. Don’t ever be too shy to talk to your guide if you have any questions about fitness or safety.
Is there a family package?
We have a special per child price for children in a family group. This is typically about a third of the adult price. We don’t limit the number of children in a family, so this works nicely for one child or several. We charge for children at all ages below 15. It is a fun experience for children of 4 years and upwards.
Do you allow small children on tour?
We do allow babies and small children to come. You can bring a backpack but not a pram. Babies sometimes react badly by crying when we put lights out in the glowworm cave. We wait to see if they settle down but if crying continues, we may ask a parent to leave early to allow other guests to enjoy their experience.
Can I bring my tripod?
No, sorry, they become a tripping hazard in the dark for other customers. We have set up fixed stations for cameras and mobile phones where you can successfully achieve longer exposures.