Waitomo Walkway
Your Nature Guide
Marios Gavalas
Author And Researcher
Nau mai, haere mai
Nau mai, haere mai
I'm Marios, delivering the best of Aotearoa's nature walks to your device.
I've personally walked hundreds of New Zealand's tracks and spent months in libraries uncovering interesting information on New Zealand/Aotearoa. And you'll find a slice of that research on this page - enjoy!
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Photos
Information
Waitomo Walkway
3.3 km one-way | 1 hour 15 minutes one-way
The walkway passes some interesting limestone formation such as dolines, karren, arches and tunnels. Farmland and forest are either side of the river. The track ends at Ruakuri Caves.
Walking Track
Access
Start from Waitomo Domain opposite the caves museum (just before the glow-worm cave visitor centre). Go down the hill and the start of the track is signposted by the grove of native trees.
Track
Shortly after entering the forest, a 600 m return detour climbs through farmland to Waitomo Lookout. This is the scenic highlight of the walk. With views of the old Tourist Department Hotel, surrounding farmland and broken karst landscape.
Back on the main track, cross the tunnel under the highway and bypass the hustle and bustle of the glow-worm entrance area.
The track now follows a tranche of native shrubs beside the stream, passing through Johnston and Garnet Reserves. At the stile, follow posts over farmland back to the stream edge.
The picnic area with toilets at the start of the Ruakuri Track is shortly after the swingbridge.
Return via the same track or arrange transport at both ends.
European History
The Waitomo Caves Hotel was originally developed in 1908 as the ‘Government Hostel at Waitomo’, designed by John Campbell. The Victorian architecture was modelled on a European Chalet, but later additions added to the eclectic styles with an Art Deco ‘concrete’ wing being added in 1928.
The hotel is a hotbed of paranormal activity, with a multitude of playful spirits adding to the entertainment.
Details
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Organisation |
DOC WaikatoCentral government organisation |
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Location |
North Island ▷ Waikato ▷ Waitomo |
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Categories |
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Directions To Coordinates |
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Coordinates |
Walking
Nearby
Reviews
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5.0/5
Most beautiful walk that starts from the Waitomo entrance, or a little before at another carpark (Rankers-startpoint).
This is LOTR territory, viewwise. I could see Hobbits, Elves and Orks in my imagination. The start is a bit difficult to follow, but just keep walking, you'll find it. It's totally worth it!
If you just want a loop-walk or a nightwalk with glowworms, drive to the Ruakuri Caves carpark. This walk ends there, but this walk is a one way, but walking it back and forth is no punishment. About 2 hours back and forth, add another 30 minutes for the Ruakuri add-on. Both spectaculair (see Ruakuri walk).
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4.5/5
Nice walk right after the cave.
Rocks and colours, cool landscape, a lovely little river.
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4.0/5
Nice walk starting right at the glowworm caves entrance, diverse landscape even though it is only 1 hour (2km return).
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5.0/5
Free walk.
Millions of glowworms. Well formed track. Go there just before it is completely dark otherwise it is hard to find the entrance. Real dark - great for shooting stars and the milky way too!
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4.5/5
We have done the first part of the walk during the nighttime.
We have seen a lot of glowworms. The next day we walked along a river and through caves. All for free and information boards along the walk and toilets and plenty of parking spaces.
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3.5/5
A short day walk through fields to the Waitomo Caves.
You can look into some parts of the caves and even see glowworms in some tunnels at night. Do not miss walking back at sunset and watch a great evening countryside.
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5.0/5
Took a nightwalk and saw thousands of glowworms and possums.
You do not need to spend that much money in the caves to see glowworms.
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4.0/5
Other travellers recommended the walk to us.
I think it could be signposted a bit more clearly since it looks like an 8 and you can take wrong turns easily. But there were great caves to climb in.
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5.0/5
Exciting bush walk, perfectly maintained, great nature, good information, easy to find.
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5.0/5
Most beautiful walk that starts from the Waitomo entrance, or a little before at another carpark (Rankers-startpoint).
This is LOTR territory, viewwise. I could see Hobbits, Elves and Orks in my imagination. The start is a bit difficult to follow, but just keep walking, you'll find it. It's totally worth it!
If you just want a loop-walk or a nightwalk with glowworms, drive to the Ruakuri Caves carpark. This walk ends there, but this walk is a one way, but walking it back and forth is no punishment. About 2 hours back and forth, add another 30 minutes for the Ruakuri add-on. Both spectaculair (see Ruakuri walk).
-
4.5/5
Nice walk right after the cave.
Rocks and colours, cool landscape, a lovely little river.
-
4.0/5
Nice walk starting right at the glowworm caves entrance, diverse landscape even though it is only 1 hour (2km return).
-
5.0/5
Free walk.
Millions of glowworms. Well formed track. Go there just before it is completely dark otherwise it is hard to find the entrance. Real dark - great for shooting stars and the milky way too!
-
4.5/5
We have done the first part of the walk during the nighttime.
We have seen a lot of glowworms. The next day we walked along a river and through caves. All for free and information boards along the walk and toilets and plenty of parking spaces.
-
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3.5/5
A short day walk through fields to the Waitomo Caves.
You can look into some parts of the caves and even see glowworms in some tunnels at night. Do not miss walking back at sunset and watch a great evening countryside.
-
-
5.0/5
Took a nightwalk and saw thousands of glowworms and possums.
You do not need to spend that much money in the caves to see glowworms.
-
4.0/5
Other travellers recommended the walk to us.
I think it could be signposted a bit more clearly since it looks like an 8 and you can take wrong turns easily. But there were great caves to climb in.
-
5.0/5
Exciting bush walk, perfectly maintained, great nature, good information, easy to find.
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4.5/5
2km from Waitomo, 30-45 min walk.
Would not miss it! Great nature! One of the most beautiful walking tracks in New Zealand.
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5.0/5
Just wanted to say this is one of the best short walks (less than one hour) in NZ, and it's FREE.
During the day you can explore some of the caves - shine a torch on the walls near the entrance and you will see giant cave wetas. We took our kids for a walk to the bridge at night - WOW! - masses of glow worms on the river bank merge with the stars in the sky, it was a sublime experience.
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4.0/5
Really nice, 1 hour walk with natural tunnels.
We have heard that it is really romantic at night with the glowworms (we walked it during the day).
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4.0/5
No other tourists and very cool scenery, nice 45 min walk through dense forest and cave formations.
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5.0/5
We walked the Ruakuri bushwalk, and were very impressed with the views, stone and limestone formations, caves, underground caverns, stream.
It has the WOW factor, and all for free!! Also went to Limestone Bridge, and Marokopa Falls - a great trio to visit, and all free.
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4.5/5
Nice bush walk for 30 min during the day, but at night quite magical with thousands of glowworms.
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